Grand Tetons, Wyoming

Beyond words.

Oh and YES that's snow!

In early September!

This is our beautiful view driving to Yellowstone's South Entrance from Dubois, WY.

Hugs, M

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo @ Colorado Springs, Colorado

If you ask Wyatt, he will tell you that the giraffes were the best part of the zoo!! He thought they were really interesting.

Hugs, M

Cliff dwellings @ Manitou Springs, Colorado

Cliff dwellings at Manitou Springs, Colorado.

Native peoples inhabited them.

Truly AMAZING!

The structure is so sound, square and plumb.
And the attention to detail was intriguing.
There were stones cut to fit in the "doorways and windows" to keep the elements out.

"Hey, whatcha doin' way up there?"

Some of the structures had passages open to the public.

One word: HAM!

Stone oven.

Dwelling painting.

Looks like a sunset.

Same painting, closer view.

Pictograph of a ...... horse.......elk.....deer???

A very unique adventure.

Recommended stop.

Hugs, M

Cave of the Winds, Colorado

One of our day trips in Colorado was to the "Cave of the Winds."





Stalactites
In this particular "rooms," a great example of the formations were shone.

Stalagmites
They say that the large "mite" on the floor was once connected to the "tite" above it. An earthquake broke their bond.









As dim as most of the lighting was, they did a great job of "showcasing" special formations or accesses.



















Narrow passages.
We had a woman in our "tour" that was, well, a bit claustrophobic. She managed to hold it together! Bravo, girl.
(Note: she didn't do well when we entered the "lights out" section.)












The lighting was less than cooperative here.

The chef's table.
It looks like a table set for dinner with elegant candelabras.

Another interesting passage.

This is the second "cave" we have been too. It is soooooo hard to describe them. Or to take pictures in them. They are beyond words beautiful. You must check one out if you have the opportunity.

Hugs, M

Old Faithful

"Out West 2010" included a stop at the most famous "attaction" in Yellowstone National Park. Old Faithful. We spent the morning looking around.

Watching the geyser.

(ooooooo ahhhhhh)

Ok now you've seen it.

Off to tour the Old Faithful Inn and Lodge.

It was truly a spectacular show of architecture.

The Inn itself has been standing for nearly 106 years.

A piece of log structure. As if to say "behave or else."

With its spectacular log and limb lobby.
AND massive 500 ton, 85 foot fireplace. AMAZING!
If that fireplace doesn't make you want to snuggle up in one of the cozy chairs and sip on a cup of hot cocoa or coffee, I don't know what will.

Amazing architecture.

Where that window is located is a "crows nest" that at one time was accessible to the public. An earthquake shook Yellowstone in 1959, thus making the access unstable. So, unfortunately, we can see the spectacular views from that little hideaway. It is said that this earthquake shook the Inn off its foundations!

But just look at the beam structure. Its is all original. Truly stunning.

Story has it that the Inn is the largest log hotel in the world and possibly even the largest log building in the world.

In the fires of 1988, firemen continually sprayed water on the roofs of the Inn to protect the structure. It managed to survive the massive fires, which destroyed thousands of acres of forest, unscathed.

It was an awe inspiring site. A must see on the list at Yellowstone.

Hugs, M

Yellowstone 1

Strange rock formation.

Literally. That is how it is referred to.

Bison

Mammoth Hot Springs

Wyatt took this picture!

Isn't it great!

This is at the base of one of the waterfalls we stopped at. Craig thought it was a great idea to hike to the base. (Where this picture was taken.) I thought I was going to DIE on the hike back up. They aren't kidding about the "thin air!"

Yellowstone is so beautiful. It is/was definitely a "bucket list" place.

We can't wait to go back.

Hugs, M

How the West was won!

A little taget practice goes a long ways.

(Wild Bill Cody Museum, Cody, WY

September 2010)

Hugs, M