Dolphins

This morning started with the most incredible site.     Three dolphins playing in the surf.      Our host had said they are frequently out there, but this is the first time I have seen them for myself.     What a great way to start the day!      I wasn't quick enough to get photos, though.      Some things are just meant to be enjoyed

RJ and I decided to visit the Boardwalk.     Walked around, skipped the shops and found an outdoor restaurant for lunch.     Mid-week in September is obviously not their busiest time......

I’m looking for a volunteer to visit and go on the SlingShot ride with me.     For some reason RJ says “no way”.      I’ll even pay the admission fee for both of us.    Any takers?      (No one was riding during our visit or I would have had a photo to show you – really, it looks like fun!)

I'm not sure why they are dredging here, but they were certainly busy.

We are increasing the length of our walks each day.      There is nothing like walking in the surf and breathing that fresh salt air.   

Some people write HUGE messages in the sand      Happy Anniversary to you, too!      For a size perspective,  that's about 25 beach chairs stacked in the lower right hand corner.

The beach changes color as the sunset/happy hour progresses.      It's fun to watch.

Gourmet dinner tonight – BLT’s.     We have a kitchen so it was time for the “little woman” to do some cooking.    Hopefully I haven’t over extended myself with this meal………………

Myrtle Beach, SC

We have arrived in Myrtle Beach.      The location of the condo is exactly what I wanted.      We are ocean front, 11th floor and all we see when sitting on the deck is a little shrubbery, sand and the ocean.      I don’t seem to get much reading done, though.    I just sit there and enjoy the sound of the waves and the beautiful view.         Three weeks may not be enough!

We are walking on the beach each morning and again before Happy Hour.     (okay, RJ skipped the second walk today because of football).      The temps have been in the high 80’s, so the surf is very warm.     For those of you familiar with the Ste. Maarten fiasco, I am happy to report that I am again able to walk in the surf.     Haven’t tried going out into the waves, but will work toward that.

The sunsets are nice - nothing phenomoninal yet, but I am confident it will get even better.    And, if not, who is going to criticize these colors and the joy of enjoying this every evening!

Today there was a wedding on a patio a few floors below us.     I can see this area when I am standing at the deck railing.      Sorry, no actual wedding pictures  (we went out for dinner) but we watched Friday night’s rehearsal and the post wedding photo shoot.

It is fun watching the couple set up all the umbrellas and chairs for the day.     I have yet to see them take it down - must be walking or happy hour time!

Tonight there are many people in the dark surf with flashlights aimed at the wet sand .     I have no idea what they are hunting but I presume it is some type of seafood.     Any ideas?

There are also a couple people on the beach shooting off fireworks.       What a fun surprise.     Apparently it is a safety hazard, though.      The local police car just came driving down the beach.     I presume they gave the people a verbal warning as they packed up their supplies and left the beach.      No excitement, except for a few “boo’s”  because the fireworks were stopped.    Fun while it lasted!

BOZEMAN

We decided to take a week and relax around Bozeman on our return journey.      We made several trips to Yellowstone and spent the rest of the time relaxing and exploring the area around town.

Driving in one of the canyons, I was drawn to this barn.     I loved that they still had their Christmas wreath hanging.      This barn has something for everyone - metal roof, red paint, log cabin finish and the wreath.

At the end of the canyon was a nice hike to this waterfall.     It didn't have the most water in its fall, but that just  gave it more character as it broke over the rocks.

This dog loved to walk back and forth along the little pond at the base of the waterfalls.

This look of the water breaking over the rocks was my favorite part of this hike.  

Some one left their backpack along the trail.    This little guy seems pretty curious.

This is a shot from Yellowstone.      I love the colors and the reflections.

Our Alaska adventure has come to an end.      We are back visiting our son and many friends in and around our old home in Onalaska.      Posts will be few and far between as we enjoy our time here.

The fall months will be spent in the Carolinas.     It's time to start making reservations............

YELLOWSTONE 2

This beautiful falls is called Lower Falls.     Not a very special name for such an incredible place.    It is in an area of Yellowstone called the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.

You get a much better perspective of the size of the falls in this photo.     The full grown trees look like blades of grass.    Every second an average of 37,417 gallons of water plunge over these falls.     Yes, every second!       The water then plunges 308 feet to the river below.

The colors of rocks in this canyon are beautiful.          The area is 20 miles long and is more than 1,000 feet deep.  

Yes, we have animal pictures again.    

I seem to have caught the buffalo during their potty break!

The rain has been threatening all day.      We stopped for lunch along this lakefront and we could see the rain approaching.

Our final stop of the day was Old Faithful.      As you can see, by this time is is very overcast and raining.     Not the best atmosphere for a good photo, but I tried.

Okay, I cheated and stayed inside out of the rain.      We got there early and I secured a spot right against the glass.      Worked for me..............

Yellowstone

We are spending a week in Bozeman, MT.      Our first adventure is a return trip to Yellowstone NP.

These trees are an attempt at an artistic photo - no bears or waterfalls.    Enjoy!

The North entrance to the park is my favorite, maybe because this is where I caught the two elk fighting during rut season a few years ago.     It is still my favorite wildlife moment.     If I had the external hard drive with me, I would share those photos.     Maybe after we get back.......

Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces.    These hot springs are reshaping the mountain.     What you are seeing  here is the dissolving calcium carbonate from the springs, building travertine terraces.

This is the Liberty Cap, a dormant hot spring cone.      No further comments from me, but, Ron, this one is for you!

Of course, I found a waterfall.......................

Throughout this part of the park, the hills were covered in daisies.

On to the animals.    I loved the rack on this guy.

This antelope surprised me as we rounded a corner.

A trip to Yellowstone would not be complete without a large herd of buffalo crossing the road.     I think we sat and waited for nearly half an hour for them to meander from the left side of the road to the right.

We will return to Yellowstone two more times before our time in Bozeman is finished.

Waterton - Our Final Day

Today we decided to drive to some of the outlying areas of Waterton Park.

Our first stop on the Akamina Parkway was Cameron Lake.      This is a sub alpine lake that reaches depths of more than 130 feet.     Most of the lakes we have seen on this trip have lots of glacier and snow run off and are too cold to be enjoyed.     Cameron Lake, however, is a fun family lake, much like we would see back in the midwest.       There is also a nice gentle hike for one mile along the west shore.      It was a beautiful walk - I especially appreciated a break from the mountain inclines we usually have on our walks.

If you look carefully in the background you can see all the people on the beach.

Our next spot was at the end of the Red Rock Canyon Parkway.       What a fun place for families. This canyon is a water carved gorge where the bedrock contains a high concentration of iron.    The iron oxidizes and turns red when exposed to air.     The rock literally rusts.

As you can see, it is a very popular place for entire families to hike up the gorge over the rocks and shallow water.

I had to give you one final bear picture from Canada.     I had never seen a bear sleeping high up in a tree, but now I have.

This family of mountain goats came down out of the mountains, crossed the parkway and stopped right by our car.     There were close to 20 in the group.

Karen, can you explain what is happening to his coat?

We are off to Bozeman, Montana with visits to Yellowstone.     Because of the July 4th holiday we were unable to get any rooms around Glacier NP like we had hoped.    (Yes, I am behind on my posts, we entered the U.S.A. on July 4th)