Idaho and Wyoming

 October 12, 2026

Perrine Bridge over the Snake River, Twin Falls, Idaho

Bruneau Dunes State Park, Idaho

The dune on the right is the tallest single dune in the U.S. at 470 feet tall

Brian is on the smaller dune below

Idaho State Capitol, Boise

On the fourth level, we found a huge banner hanging from the dome.

Declaration of Independence at the top with signatures of school children

hanging below.

Elaborate Corinthian capitals on the columns supporting the dome

We left Boise and drove north toward Idaho City and found a national forest campground that was still open.  By this point, we had traveled 3,500 miles.  Our coldest morning yet in Boise National Forest - 34 degrees.

Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho

endless lava flows all around

We enjoyed the evening bats flitting over our heads at our campsite.

We awoke to raindrops hitting the roof of the van, so opted out of a second night at Craters of the Moon.

We crossed southern Idaho, up and over Teton Pass, and down into Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  Before making a brief visit to Grand Teton National Park, we visited another Dambo Troll.

Her name is Mama Mimi.

A rainy day at Grand Teton National Park, so no hiking for us.  Even Jackson Lake's water level is very low from drought.  Just before leaving the park, the cloud deck lifted enough to reveal 13,775 foot tall Grand Teton . . . awesome as always!

We drove from Green River, Wyoming south back to Utah via Flaming Gorge Scenic Byway into Ashley National Forest and the Uinta Mountains.  Rain and fog prevented me from taking many photos.  I did get this one looking back to the north.

Flaming Gorge Reservoir straddles the Wyoming/Utah stateline

Utah - Part 2

 October 5, 2026

We made a stop at Cedar Breaks National Monument - high elevation and 50 degrees

Lovely aspens

One night at Bryce Canyon National Park and reliving memories of hiking below the rim for many miles in 2010 - one of many training grounds for our big hike to Phantom Ranch at Grand Canyon NP

No matter how many times we visit Bryce, the views never fail to impress us.

Early morning drive to the end of the road and high point in the park.

moocher in the parking lot

We highly recommend driving Scenic Byway 12 from Red Canyon, past Bryce Canyon, and then north to Torrey.  It includes a section called "The Hogback."  One scenic pullout put us in the middle of a panorama of golden aspens.

hoodoos behind Red Canyon Visitor Center (Dixie National Forest)

One night at Escalante State Park - our white van down below as we start the switchbacks up to the top of the cliff on the petrified wood trail

Then it was on to Price, Utah to visit the "World's Largest Outdoor Art Gallery" , AKA Nine Mile Canyon National Backcountry Byway.  We attempted this drive in October 2021, but turned around when it began to snow. This time, we were rewarded with perfect weather.  The petroglyphs are roughly 700 to 1,000 years old.

The owls are my favorite set of petroglyphs.

"The Great Hunt"

Next up, Salt Lake City with a side trip to Tooele where I became a big sister for the first time when one of my sisters was born there in 1957.  I found the church where she was baptized.  She died in February of this year so this was a pilgrimage of sorts.  We visited the Utah State Capitol and attended choral mass at Cathedral of the Madeleine.  Gorgeous stained glass and a thundering pipe organ.

Sculpture made of copper that blew off the Capitol's dome

one example of Birdseye marble that is seen all over the building

gallery of special historical figures and events

We stayed two nights in a cabin at Wasatch Mountain State Park near Heber City.

our view from the cabin