Monday, July 9, 2007

Friday, July 6, 2007

Durango Colorado

Right after we arrived home from Yellowstone National Park, I found myself driving with my friend, Julie Preston, to Durango Colorado. She had just moved there from Anchorage, Alaska and I was going over to make memories with her, test out the great mountain biking, and see what the big deal was all about. What a cute little town. We did many things while I was over there including hiking, biking, white water rafting, jeeping, and going about the town.

The Grand Tetons




Other cool Yellowstone things








Mt. Washburn Trail




Mystic Falls


Old Faithful




Geyser Basin


Yellowstone National Park

We're back!!! I know you've all been anticipating the reason WHY? we haven't posted any new blogs recently. We'll, I've got a reason and a good one too! We went backpacking in Yellowstone National Park and boy was it worth the trip. We went with two other couples, Craig & Lizz and Kevin & Sara, where we drove a very long trip up to Yellowstone with Craig & Lizz and met up with Kevin & Sara at Old Faithful on the first day. Here's a play by play of our trip.
Day 1 (June 20):Drove a LOOOONG time through CO and WY where we stayed the night at the KOA in Duboi, WY.
Day 2 (June 21): Drove some more, hoping to reach Old Faithful by 9am...didn't happen because we "got lost" and were headed toward The Grand Teton's. Reached Old Faithful by 11am via driving through Grand Teton National Park and reaching Yellowstone National Park by the south entrance. Met up with Kevin & Sara at Old Faithful. Watched Old Faithful erupt...very cool! Walked around and saw many more geysers. Went to Geyser Basin...more cool geysers to see. Ate lunch where Kevin made the BIG mistake of eating a chili dog. You'll know why later. :) Drove north through the park and couldn't find trail head. Saw Lower Falls and Inspiration Point 3 TIMES! Finally asked Park Ranger for directions...found trail head! Started on Glacier Rock Trail at 5pm. Walked 6 miles into the backcountry. Kevin pukes up chili dog and other lovely things all along the trail leaving "bait stations" for the bears to follow us. We finally reach our camping spot and the sun starts going down. We cook dinner at night with headlamps. We fall asleep. Lizz scared of bears and stays up ALL NIGHT!
Day 3 (June 22): Pack up camp. Craig, Lizz, Gerry and I hike up Mt. Washburn in the morning while Kevin & Sara leisurly hike back to the truck. We follow shortly thereafter. Very tired by now and view backpacks as our EVIL NEMESEES! Drive to Upper Falls to Ribbon Lake Trail head. Hike in 2 miles. Very Very tired by now. Feet hurt. Desperately need a shower. Set up camp and get eaten by a million mosquitos. Lake turns out to be swampy and full of lilly pads...there goes the hopes of any sort of shower. Hiked 10-11 miles this day. Kevin goes fishing and comes back with the catch of the day...himself. He snagged his arm with a luer. I perform "surgery" and patch him up. Sleep.
Day 4 (June 23): Packed up camp and hiked out 2 miles. Went to Yellowstone Lake and toured around. Went to Lewis Falls. Pretty! Decided against hiking with backpack ever again. Went to Lewis Campground and reserved a "car-camping" spot by Lewis Lake. Nice lake this time. Put our feet in and washed Lizz's nasty-worn-3-days-in-a-row-socks. Bought brats and beer and played games by the campfire. Good times!
Day 5 (June 24): Kevin & Sara departed for Mt. Rushmoor and home. We drove around the park some more and then headed for Jackson,WY to see the Grand Tetons. They are so beautiful that we've planned a backpack trip there for next year. Drove some more and stayed the night in a HOTEL in Larimee,WY. Oh finally a shower, a mattress, and a fluffy pillow!
Day 6 (June 25): Drove home. Ate mexican food...yum!