Day 4 – Caldwell, ID to Jackson Hole, WY

They say the best laid plans…… We did not predict (nor plan) a 2-hour delay just east of Boise, ID – there was a major incident on I-84 that closed it for several hours. But we finally detoured and got moving again…. Though the morning was late, it was pleasant, and at first the snow was at a distance (where it is best)… Even though it was closer, the roads were dry.

We traveled through some farm and ranch country, which added some character to the texture of the landscape… and sometimes the landscape contained enough natural character by itself…

We went to Crater of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, but being covered in snow, it wasn’t very crater-y, so we toured the visitor center, and we did NOT sit outside…

Heading to Wyoming, I saw my first frozen snow-covered lake – Palisades Reservoir…

And we ended our loooong day in Jackson Hole.

Day 5 – Jackson Hole to Laramie, WY

We all got a decent night sleep at our very quiet hotel – perhaps because we were all soooo tired from a long day. I persuaded Koby to make a slight detour to the Elk Preserve – some fellow guests at our hotel (from Manteca, of all places) and the desk clerk were extremely helpful in guiding us to where we needed to go.

I think most of them in the last picture were “mooning” me!

And besides the elk, there were some mountain goats way up on a ridge..

Then off through Grand Tetons National Park – with its amazing peaks..

Then we wandered off to Laramie, still on delay-time. We got settled in our hotel and Warren (my father-in-law) had an issue with his foot, which resulted in a trip to Urgent Care. They checked him out, cleaned and bandaged him up, but wanted a re-evaluation in the morning…. (No need to share pictures or details, it’s not a pretty sight!)

Day 6 – Laramie, WY to Kearney, NE

Late start, since the clinic didn’t open until 9, but the staff were awesome both last night and this morning. Warren was gifted a beautiful “sandal” to accommodate his bandaged foot, bought some new socks – which will last awhile since he only needs one for a few days – picked up scrips, and jetted out of town. Today’s jaunt was not nearly so scenic – and the highlight of the day was a wonderful lunch at Estela’s in Pine Bluffs, which was topped off with even more wonderful sopapillas. Which I should have photographed – but I was too greedy! For those of you who have never encountered a sopapilla – and I mean a REAL sopapilla – you have been missing out on an amazing treat. Best served hot, with sugar and cinnamon, drizzled with honey. I don’t know where to get them anywhere except in the Southwest – and now in Pine Bluffs, Wyoming.

Today’s leg of the journey was windy. And warm. I’m not understanding why trees are not leafed out since it was 85+ degrees most of the day – maybe the wind is too strong and the trees are holding on to their new leaves so they won’t be blown away as soon as they unfurl.

It was also not the most scenic day… lots of flat land with not much breaking up the landscape. It was pretty anti-climatic after the Grand Tetons, majestic mooning elk, and yes, I hate to admit it, snow. But there were a few photo-worthy shots.. and there was sun… and wind… and a ton of windmill farms with whirling fan blades…