Summer Vacation

When I said it was timely that I won my Nikon, I really meant it was perfect because it arrived just a day before we left on our summer vacation.  We had booked reservations at one State Campsite for a five day period but other than that we were leaving our trip up in the air.  I will blog the first part of our holiday today and follow up over the coming days.

The first leg of our journey was to make stops in on our daughters – one in Kelowna and the other in Calgary.   It was a beautiful drive through the Rocky Mountains into Alberta – only the weather was pretty dark and damp. (I’ve labelled the photos as to which are taken on the ipod, which on my Nikon)

iphone photo

After we had a few days in Calgary we headed south and spent a night in Cardston at an RV site.  We got an early start and crossed the USA border.  This is always when we feel truly “away”.  Perhaps its more a mental thing as much as a physical thing. 

iphone photo

camera photo

With all the rain this year everything is still so lush and green.  I could not resist taking a photo of my Mr. taking a photo. 

camera photo

I’m always a sucker for places with quaint names and my Mr. always relents to them for me.  This photo was taken at a small town called Sugar City.  We stopped and had a sandwich and a respite under a shady tree. 

iphone photo

We arrived in Idaho Falls about lunch time.  I had hoped to spend an entire day there but it turned out to be a blistering hot day and we opted to continue on our journey instead.  The following two nights we spent at a Forestry or State Camp area on the Madison River. 

The campsites were adjacent to West Fork Cabin Camp – just click HERE to learn more.  The reason I add this in is because some of our family members are AVID fishermen and after talking to the manager of this place we found out that the Madison River is a fisherman’s haven!  I don’t have a photo to post of this area though. 

Then we pushed on and as we were driving down the highway noticed a sign for Heise Hot Springs.   We are a sucker for hot springs so decided to check it out.  We wound up staying a few days – soaking in the pools at night and going for hikes in the day. 

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camera photo

The view from the trail was fabulous, so we decided to go even further, climbing to the top of a hill.  Here are several more photos. 

camera photo

camera photo

This trail had been west of our campsite, and the next day we went for a jaunt to the east.  We simply chose a local road and kept walking, and walking and walking. 

iphone photo

Erm… being careful to be polite to cars as… after seeing this sign all shot up, well.  lol!

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With this final photo – which looked so peaceful and what summer makes me think of. 

I will be back in a day or two with the continuing part of our journey.  Thanks to you, Valinda, for reminding me it has been a MONTH since my last post.