We love to see new things and places Small town America is our current favourite but it will not end there. Whether we travel by Harley or car we just want to take it all in. We look forward to you following our travels. Baca lagi Brisbane City, Australia
  • Hari 12

    True Wild West, Cody WY

    26 Jun 2018, Amerika Syarikat ⋅ 🌙 16 °C

    Cody is a wild west town steeped in history and named after Buffalo Bill Cody who developed the town and poured significant amounts of money into it. The hospitality here is second to none and the towns people are extremely proud of what they have.
    Noela and I started the day with breakfast at Granny’s a great traditional diner with really wholesome and good value meals. From there we singlehandedly tried to add to the Cody economy as we found some great western outfitters for shoes , boots and clothing. A mandatory visit to Cody Harley Davidson and a coffee at a genuine espresso coffee shop.
    Carl and Paola headed back into Yellowstone to Mammoth Springs and Roosevelt to chase down more of the elusive bears in the area and returned having seen 3 bear at various distances.
    We all joined a tour at 3.00pm that ran for an hour. The tour was on a trolley bus and gave a very informative talk on the history, the population and the economy, again highlighting the pride that the locals have in their town.
    Tonight, we will witness a mock gunfight at the Hotel Irma Bill Cody’s old Saloon and hotel before heading over to the stampede stadium to see the daily Rodeo. Cody claims to be the rodeo capital of America.
    Then its time to hit the road again and move into Montana and Washington state.

    More to come on the Rodeo.
    Baca lagi

  • Hari 11

    Geysers and geesers, Yellowstone NP

    25 Jun 2018, Amerika Syarikat ⋅ 🌙 21 °C

    Jackson is some 50 miles South of Yellowstone NP so we got an early start as there was plenty of things that we wanted to see on this visit. Our first encounter for the day was a group of Bison right next to the road, several cars were parked too close to them and the Bison soon spooked. We can see why people get gored by them given the amazing turn of speed and agility that a couple of them displayed, one even jumping a fence,
    We continued into the Teton NP and then to the South entrance of Yellowstone NP in good time. We again were thankful for the annual park pass that we purchased on day one this pass has saved us a couple of hundred dollars already.
    Our first stop was at West Thumb where we walked a board walk around a collection of small pools of geo thermal activity. This site bordered the lake and these vents were even in the lake bubbling their hot water into the freezing lake water. We were pretty amazed by this but there was bigger to come.
    We headed into Yellowstone village where most people just go to see “Old Faithful”, I had read about another location at the back of this geyser, so we took that boardwalk that went for about 1.5 miles. Absolutely stunning views and geology with water filled vents bubbling and boiling with different colours based on the bacteria or minerals present. There literally hundreds of these and they all had views to old faithful which as an added bonus erupted whilst we were there.
    Our trip continued taking in other sites like Black Sand basin, Fountain Paint Pot, Grand prismatic Springs, The Mud Volcano, The Sulphur Caldron, Firehole Canyon Drive along with other stops to view water falls, rapids and canyons. All of these sites offered something different and were on the southern loop road. We stopped for a late lunch at Canyon Village and then moved into the Hayden Valley our exit road to Cody Wyoming. Bison grazed in the fields, more photos were taken and we ooed and ahhed at the vistas. We came around a bend with a group of vehicles parked and all of a sudden, the car exploded with the shout of GRIZZLY and eagle eyes Noela spotted the elusive beast on a distant ridge. It was a long way off but still close enough to identify. After 15 minutes of bear gazing we continued and soon enough we exited the park.
    Our drive continued, and we recapped the day like kids on a school excursion just near the town of Witica it happened, another innocuous group of cars. There she was another Grizzly along with her two cubs blissfully feeding with the cubs playing. This time though she was 50 to 75 metres away, close enough to make sure that while taking photos you had a clear escape path. We must have been there for about 45 minutes until some peanut drove his car up to them and upset mum. Carl did not want to leave but we dragged him kicking a and screaming back to the car.
    Finally, we got to Cody at around 6.45 feeling pretty happy with the days events. But guess where Carl and Paola are going back to tomorrow morning………….Yawn, see you tomorrow.
    Baca lagi

  • Hari 10

    Beary good day, Teton Village

    24 Jun 2018, Amerika Syarikat ⋅ 🌙 12 °C

    Our last day in Jackson and we decided to start early and retrace our steps from yesterday’s safari and see if we can find some interesting wildlife. It was very different without binoculars, but we did find Elk, Deer, and we found a moose and her calf, and she was only 20 metres away. I carefully got up close being aware that a moose with calf is very dangerous. Using a tree as cover I got to about 10 metres from her, when she looked straight at me and took a step in my direction I retreated with staggering speed. Our search continued in all the likely haunts but sadly no bear.
    On return from the wilderness we went back to the visitor’s centre, had lunch and checked out the shops again. We took a stage coach ride around town, which was a relaxing way to take in the sights. We are really getting into the cowboy way of life. Laundry was on the agenda so Noela took care of that whilst I stayed in town before the 2 – mile walk back to the motel, should have caught the shuttle.
    Late in the day at around 5.15 we drove around to Teton Village. Carl and Paola had checked this out earlier in the day and discovered that the Gondola to 9000 plus feet is free after 5 PM. The Traam to the top is $40 and goes to 10,000ft so we opted for the cheap seats on the gondola instead. As we were boarding another passenger told us of a bear at stanchion 19 or 20. Well hello bear, a black bear cub directly below us. Cameras went crazy and to make sure we did another circuit, yes, it was still there, Carl was a happy man and we were all pretty stoked as well.
    We celebrated with a light meal and a cold beverage at the Piste Bar at 9250 ft. We were not really dressed for the late afternoon shadows and the chill as the temperature plummeted to single digits. But dinner was great, the beer super cold and the company awesome.
    We again boarded the gondola for the ride down the mountain and our bear was still there, so we did yet another lap. The lift attendant must have wondered what these grown adults were up to riding around and around on the lift.
    Finally, back at the car we fuelled for tomorrow and bid 3 great days at Jackson goodbye. Tomorrow Yellowstone and probably more bear hunting.
    Baca lagi

  • Hari 9

    On Safari, Grand Tetons

    23 Jun 2018, Amerika Syarikat ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    5.50 AM pick up in an 8 seat off road van, equipped with high powered binoculars and spotting scopes all from Jackson Eco Tours. From the outset it appeared that we had a great guide Chelsea, extremely welcoming and knowledgeable. We picked up another couple Paula and Tome from Jackson Lodge and we were on our way.

    These guide are in 2 way comms with each other so they can compare and share locations of the very elusive wildlife. Our first spotting was pronghorn (Antelope) and we were truly lucky to see the doe in full flight chasing a Kyote away from her fawn. This was a very rare event and something that Chelsea had not even seen. In the same place a lone Bison.

    We received a call to get to a second location where there were several moose. A Bull feeding on cress in the creek and several cows, one with calf grazing. We saw seven of these in total. Next were a pair of Elk beside the road very close up. We saw Prairie Dogs, ground Squirrels, Crane and dear, but the Grizzlys and Black bears eluded us much to Carls dismay.

    We hunted up hill and down dale and even sacrificed ourselves to Mosquitos, Chelsea went to extraordinary lengths to find them but just not happening today.

    Light breakfast was supplied and we had a great picnic lunch provided when we stopped on the shore of Jackson Lake. On our last stop I offered to photograph to guys touring on mountain bikes. As it turned out it was an aussie father and son who were competing in the Bamff to Mexico Great Divide bike ride. What an amazing feat.

    8 hours of value and information, we had some great laughs with the other couple exchanging various stories. Thanks to Eco Tours for a spectacular day.

    Back in Jackson we caught the free shuttle back into town for some shopping, browsing and a coffee before a light meal.
    Baca lagi

  • Hari 8

    We're goin to, Jackson WY

    22 Jun 2018, Amerika Syarikat ⋅ 🌫 15 °C

    Leaving Soda Springs behind and following State Highway 89, we set out to Jackson Hole Wyoming, gateway to the Tetons and Yellowstone national Park.

    We passed through some small towns, Freedom, Wilson, Etna and Alpine. In Etna we stopped at the General Store for breakfast, we were not expecting much we were blown away by the hospitality the coffee and the food. What a Gem.

    After Alpine we turned right to head towards Hoback Junction following the Snake River where we watched several rafting groups shooting downstream. Rafting here is big business but we will not get a chance to do this on this trip.

    We arrived in Jackson around 10.30 and went directly to the visitors centre, this was really helpful and informative. The shops beckoned so a visit to several were made including the camera shop confirming that Noela's camera is a dead duck. Picked up a T shirt at Chesters HD and then went back down to the American Legion rooms. This is set up like our RSLs to assist returned defence force personnel. Had a really nice lunch there before heading over to Snow King mountain. Carl, Noela and I rode the chairlift to the top whilst Paola sat this one out. The Ski run below the chairlift is the steepest in North America and it was really , really steep, we had amazing views all the way to the Tetons and surrounding areas.

    A quick checkin to the Motel 6, and we then drove over to the Bar T 5 Covered Wagon Cookout and Show. Highly recommend this show, After a ride out in horse drawn covered wagons we reached the dinner camp after a mock attack by horse back bandits. It was a great couple of hours with great food, camp oven style beef beans chicken and salad.

    Tomorrow morning we are being picked up to join a full day wildlife safari, hoping to see bear, moose , elk etc.

    Keep your fingers crossed for us
    Baca lagi

  • Hari 7

    Soda Fountain, Soda Springs ID

    21 Jun 2018, Amerika Syarikat ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Whilst today has been mainly just a driving day we ha e seen some different country. Driving some minor roads through Utah. Utah of course is mainly Mormon as it was the Mormons settled these and farmed these lands in the late 1800s.

    There is some amazing history of those times in the Oregon trail that passes through this region. The Tabernacle (photo below) is a monument to those times.

    We passed through Ephriam, Coalville, Evanston, Paris, Laketown Garden City. We also stopped in Montpelier to visit the bank now a museum that was robbed by Butch Cassidy and accomplices, before arriving in Soda Springs.

    Laketown and Garden City sit on the shores of Bear Lake, a huge expanse of water. There is a species of fish that habitats here that is only otherwise found in Washington. The theory is that the lakes are connected via subterranean caves, this is unproven as the lake is so deep it has not yet been proven.

    Soda Springs is so named by the geyser was discovered here that provided a source of commercial grade drinkable carbonated Soda Water.
    It was a large source of revenue for the town.

    Now the geyser is controlled with releases on the hour, it is very impressive. We took a cup and drank straight from the geyser after the release. It was perfect.

    We chatted with a local girl who educated us about a number of local facts and has suggested that next time we are here to contact her mother who would be more than happy to play host and tour guide.

    A cold beer and a shared meal at the local Pub and the day is complete. Another stunning day weatherwise.

    Heading to Jackson tomorrow where snow has been falling.
    Baca lagi

  • Hari 6

    Totally Awesome, Bryce Canyon,

    20 Jun 2018, Amerika Syarikat ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Once again, I am at a loss for words to describe the sites that we have seen today. No superlatives, no camera lens can truly capture the unbelievable grandeur of these natural wonders.
    Bryce Canyon lies to the east of the Grand Canyon, and Zion National Park, and each one of these has a special look and geology that is distinctly different from the other. Bryce is no exception.
    Today started with us driving through Zion so we got to look at it from another angle. We then headed further East to Red Canyon and then to Bryce. Once again, we took advantage of the free shuttle from the visitor’s information centre.
    Our first stop was Inspiration point, the view was breathtaking as we looked at the many shapes of the formations created by eons of erosion. The colours are outstanding and against the perfect blue sky we could not have asked for better. Whilst there are fenced viewing platforms the various trails lead along the top of the ridge with nothing to catch you if you fall. Getting close to the edge is not for the faint hearted. In a land of litigation, we were amazed at how open the cliff faces were, you certainly need to be sure footed and have control of your kids.
    We walked from Inspiration Point to Sunset point and the vista change moment by moment. At the sunset point viewing area, we took the Navajo trail a steep winding well defined foot track in amongst the formations. What walked down the hill must come back up and muscles have been severely challenged on that walk back. I completed the Navajo loop, whilst Noela, Paola, and Carl took a longer route.
    There will be some aches and pains tomorrow.
    Lunch followed at the general store, and we then got back on the road via Antimony and Otter Creek along a road less travelled. A few old mines used for mining the precious metal Antimony dotted the area, and Otter Creek is a popular trout fishing location. Tthe road to, through and after these towns was better that our pacific or New England highways and yet it has almost no traffic. The roads here are brilliant.
    We have stopped in Salina Utah overnight before a big transit day getting up to Wyoming. We do not know what we will see tomorrow, but that is half the challenge.
    Walmart is certainly on the agenda for a camera as she killed hers today.
    Till tomorrow.
    Baca lagi

  • Hari 5

    Zion National Park

    19 Jun 2018, Amerika Syarikat ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    After a night in a really flash but cheap casino in North Las Vegas we got on the road to Zion National Park, Zion Canyon just out of Hurricane Utah.

    There are no words to describe this place. We parked the car at Springvale and got onto the park service shuttle bus that drops you at the various hikes.

    We went to stop 9, Temple of Sinawaba and walked up the Riverside hike to the narrows our second stop was a 7 Weeping rock. Both of these locations were just amazing and no photo can do justice to the depth of the canyon and the colours and various structures.
    There are 9 walks in total and we were told that these two are spectacular, but you would need several days to cover the rest of these.

    The saying bigger and better in America really strikes a chord when it comes to their National Parks. I do keep reminding everyone that we have Mt Cootha.

    Now back in Hurricane sitting waiting for laundry to finish. It's still 32 degrees C whilst Brisbane is apparently shivering.

    Bryce Canyon tomorrow. But we again we will go via Zion to take in a different angle from the through road.
    Baca lagi

  • Hari 4

    Furnace Creek, Death Valley

    18 Jun 2018, Amerika Syarikat ⋅ 🌙 35 °C

    We missed out on doing the Death Valley trip last time as we were on bikes and it was blistering hot. So, we put it back on the plan for this trip.
    After leaving Mammoth at 7.30 our first stop was to find Whitmore Springs or Wild Willys hot tub as it is known locally. We asked a local and by chance he put us on to another hot spring called Shepherds. This spring has now been set up like a hot tub in the middle of a field and is fed by a natural hot spring. Wow what a way to kick of the day, with the air temperature at 8 degrees C, we donned swimming gear and in we went.
    With amazing views all around we luxuriated for about 30 minutes and then spent another 10 minutes chatting to a guy back packing who claimed to be an animal communicator and he was able to ward of bears by barking like a dog.
    In the distance we could hear the howling of wolves. This was a truly amazing start to the day.
    From our altitude of 8000 feet we started downhill to Death Valley. Through the towns of Bishop, Big Pine and Lone Pine the last of which we stopped for a great coffee and purchased sandwiches for later in the day.
    Lone Pine is also the entry point for Death Valley and so with the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains on our right and another range on our left we headed South into one of the most hot and unforgiving parts of the world.
    It quickly dawned on us how amazing this place is with only 2 inches of rain a year if they are lucky it still supports fauna and flora. We say the settlements of Stovepipe Wells, Furnace Creek a beautiful oasis where a golf course and resort dominate the landscape, then we headed to Death Valley Junction and Armargosa Valley. We visited Artists Palette, Mesquite Flats sand dunes, The Devils Golf Course, Bad Water Basin the lowest point in North America at minus 282 feet below sea level. Dante’s Peak where we got view 110 miles up the Valley including Mt Whitney the USAs highest Peak.
    On the way out, we stopped for Fuel at Armargosa right next door was the alien Cathouse Brothel complete with pimp car out front.
    We made the final run into North Las Vegas well away from the strip for a well-earned night’s sleep.
    We were not sure what to expect from Death Valley, but it was absolutely stunning with a really clear day and temps topping out at 102F, 38.9 C, well worth the trip.
    Baca lagi

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