To Grand Teton National Park

Aloha Everyone,

From Bear Lake, Utah, we re-entered Idaho passing towns with European names such as Paris, Ovid, Montpelier & Geneva.

Paris Tabernacle erected in 1888.

Just outside of town of Geneva, we encountered cowboys who were moving cattle. It appeared to be a family business. Even young children were riding horses. We counted about 70 cattle. The animals sounded unhappy and were protesting loudly.

At Salt River Pass, we stopped to stretch our legs.

Walter and Geelee from Amsterdam were traveling in the United States for 4 weeks with their two young sons. They were on their way to Yellowstone National Park.

We love Grand Teton  National Park. Remnants of glacier adorn peaks. We would love to return to appreciate their beauty each season.

Lots of outdoor activities including cycling.

Tonight we are staying at Gros Ventre Campground. The location is only 4.5 miles from where I took this photo.

Upon checking-in, we were provided with handouts on bear awareness. There are also posted signs. I am hopeful that this may be the night we will see either Grizzly or Black Bear that are inhabitants of this area.

Frank and Linda also stopped at the Salt River Pass to enjoy the panoramic scenery. From Eureka, CA, they were on their 5 weeks road trip. Their next destination is Yellowstone.

Beautiful Snake River runs along Highway 89 often meandering meadows leaving deltas in its path.

Japanese lunch at Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  J.J. ate ramen while I enjoyed tempura udon.

A little tour of downtown Jackson Hole. The arch is made out of elk antlers.

Aloha -- Cathi

Golden Spike to Bear Lake

Aloha Everyone,

Golden Spike National Historical Site was the meeting point of the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific Railroad tracks. It took place at Promontory Point in the territory of Utah in 1869.

The enactment of this historical event is held every Saturday at 11:00 am during the summer. What a treat for us who happened to be able to join 50 plus people to witness this.

I even got to take a souvenir photo with the volunteer cast members.

The Great Salt Lake changes size and its salt content based on the season. For example, if there a lots of snowfall then the lake size may increase and its salt content would decrease. We were told that currently its salt content is approximately 30% which could even be higher than that of the Dead Sea.

Unfortunately surrounding fields are covered with alkaline deposits, which makes the soil not suitable for farming.

J.J. and I had a lunch at McDonald's. The last time we were in one of their establishments was in Subic Bay, Philippines when we visited last January. We shared a soft cream when we saw a family with 4 little boys were all enjoying one each.

Barb at the Visitor Center at Malad City, Idaho was very informative and helpful. J.J. jokingly said that based on what Barb told us about Idaho, we will have to stay for at least several weeks.

Caribou Targhee National Forest in the Southeast Idaho is A visitor friendly location. There were many turn-around places and parking areas. We were able to enjoy some interesting rock formations.

Half of Bear Lake is in Utah and the other half is in Idaho. It was a round about drive for us to get here. However, the scenery were like impressionist paintings with many hues on a canvas. This scene of the field of yellow flowers were particularly beautiful. J.J. believes flowers are used to make vegetable oil.

Here is a close-up. Let me know if you know the name of the flower.

The Bear Lake is approximately 18.3 miles long and 7.1 mile wide. It has a shoreline of 48 miles. As we started to drive on the road which ran parallel to the lake, we noticed that the water was very blue. The turquoise color is caused by reflection of limestone deposits in the water.

We saw many weekend holiday makers enjoying picnic on the lake's sandbars. Tonight we are staying at RV park on the Utah side of Bear Lake.

Finally, prior to leaving Golden Spike RV Park this morning, we had an enjoyable conversation with a fellow RVer. Bo is an electrical engineering student. His home town is Chenchun, China. Bo and his family were on their way to the Yellowstone National Park. When we parted company, Bo called out, "Maybe we will see you in Yellowstone!"

Aloha -- Cathi

Bert's Mobile RV Repair

Aloha Everyone,

After 3 months of life on the road, including some gravel mountain roads in the Manti-La Sal National Forest, Honu was having problems with loose screws, loose paneling, and worst of all, one of the kitchen drawers would not retract.

Bert Warner of Bert's RV Service responded to our call. Bert met us just off I-15 North in South Jordan in front of where a new Holiday Inn Express was under construction.

Bert must have been over 6' tall as his head touched the ceiling. Here he is replacing a screw of one of the LED lights.

Bert's work shop on the road.

Bert is repairing one of the kitchen drawers.

After 1 1/2 hours, Bert completed his work and Honu is almost as good as new. Bert did an excellent job and  his charge was reasonable.

We are now in the county of Box Elder, Utah. Wasatch Cache National Forest is East of us.

After driving through Provo and Salt Lake City where the sky was gray with pollution from industry, J.J. and I found ourselves again out in the wide country with farms, mountains and blue sky.

Our destination was Golden Spike National Monument located on the way to Premonition Mountains in the northern section of Great Salt Lake. Somehow we missed our turn off and by the time we realized our error, we were only 22 miles from the border to Idaho.

Our decision was to turn back. Tonight we are staying at Golden Spike RV Park. This is one of more upscale RV parks we've stayed in terms of facilities.

The Main Street of Brigham is lined with tall verdant trees adding another layer to this charming rural community.

We believe that the building on the right is the City Hall.

J.J. and I spent a couple of hours catching up with our readings in this shaded picnic area.

Our relaxing hour was interrupted when this very large, resident feline tried to jump on top of the table we were sitting. Some of you may know that I am extremely allergic to cats and dogs.

The view of our front yard.

Aloha -- Cathi

Manti-La Sal National Forest

Aloha Everyone,

Happy Pioneer Day!

After visiting camping grounds in the Manti-La Sal National Forest, Honu needs minor repairs. J.J. started to make phone calls this morning only to get voice messages, "Closed for the long holiday weekend. Please call back Monday morning." Pioneer Day is celebrated on July 24 each year. It is a state holiday in Utah to commemorate the entry of Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers into Utah's Salt Lake Valley in 1847.

Thanks to our photo assignment, we are now well acquainted with the Manti-La Sal National Forest. This vast forest area covers more than 1.2 million acres. Located mostly in the central and southeastern parts of
Utah, the Manti-La Sal National Forest is divided into Moab & Monticello Districts, Sanpete, Ferron and Price District.

The name La Sal means "the salt" in Spanish. We read in a government publication that early Spanish explorers saw white on the peaks of the mountain range. These explorer did not believe that there would be snow in the summer and thought it must be salt. Thus the name La Sal. The Manti and La Sal National Forests were combined 1949 for more efficient management.

Please enjoy some photographs of La Manti -La Sal National Forest.

Pronounced "man-tie", we saw what appeared to be frozen glaciers on top of the summit at elevation nearly 13,000 ft.

From Aspen to pine tree forests.

Many of the camping grounds were challenging to reach with Honu but well worth getting there.

Spotted alarming smoke in the direction of "our forest."

We were relieved to learn that it was a field fire three cities away and people had been evacuated.

Here is a residential neighborhood of Nephi.

Celebrated Pioneer Day by dining at the only Chinese restaurant in Nephi.

Sweet and sour soup

Vegetarian broccoli with pepper and carrots

Shrimp with vegetable

Aloha -- Cathi