Just like Willie Nelson’s song, we’re heading out on the road again, looking forward to being with “the best of friends” in our second home, Yellowstone National Park. It’ll now be my third year as a tour guide. As we left our home in Phoenix, Arizona, everything was in full bloom. It’s always hard to leave, but the hotter days are on the way, and I’m yearning to return to Yellowstone . . . where it’s currently snowing!
We made our way to Ely, Nevada, home of Dirt the Cat who lives at the Railroad Museum. Dirt lives where the engines are housed (can you tell?!) and keeps the rodents at bay.
It was fun to see snow on the mountains as we travel farther north.
As we traveled on it was fun to find Pronghorn, which we also see in Yellowstone. These guys are able to eat the abundant sage brush that is most everywhere.
We also found two Golden Eagles as we were traveling up into the Ruby Mountains. Such huge, majestic birds. They were flying fairly nearby but it was difficult to really get a good shot of them. Grateful I was able to obtain the photos that I did!
Outside of Elko, Nevada, we drove up into the beautiful Lamoille Canyon which is a valley carved by a glacier. This was especially fun as Yellowstone’s Lamar and Hayden Valleys were carved by glaciers as well. It was an absolutely beautiful afternoon.
About an hour outside of Boise we always drive by the historic water wheels in New Plymouth. Originally built in the 1920s, there are maybe only three left in operation. The canals brought water up into the farming community from the Payette River. These water wheels lift the water up and out into the fields. It is always such fun seeing them when we visit family living there.
Then it was on to Boise for another enjoyable visit with more family before finally heading up to Yellowstone. Boise has a terrific Farmer’s Market and it’s such fun to wander through the town.
While in Boise it’s our tradition to always visit Kathryn Albertson Park and this day did not disappoint. Of course, as always, there was a plethora of Canada Geese. But it was especially fun this time as there were lots of little goslings everywhere. The Lilac bushes are so incredible to see as they really can’t survive our hot summers in Phoenix.
Another day we visited the Foothills Learning Center and went on some nice hikes.
At the Center there is a wonderful Story Trail that has nature-related children’s books which change each month.
This month featured the beautiful book, “A Seed is Sleepy” by Dianna Hutts Aston. It is a captivating and quite informative kids’ book, wonderfully illustrated by Sylvia Long.
They also have beautiful artwork . . .
I love mosaic work and especially enjoyed this beautiful piece of work . . .
The inlaid artwork on this piece was quite fun!
While there, we also were able to easily watch some (real) Great Horned Owlets born in the holes of the nearby canyon wall. Apparently, there is a Belted Kingfisher and an American Kestrel nesting in these cliffs as well. Unfortunately, I was only able to get a glimpse of the Kingfisher but no photo.
Even though I always truly enjoy our stay here in Boise, I am certainly looking forward to gettin’ .•*¨*•♫♪ On the Road Again ♪♫•*¨*•. returning to our second home. Yellowstone National Park.