April 18 - A hike to Buttermilk Bend

A hike along to Yuba at Buttermilk Bend is blooming with wildflowers. They have them named which makes it nice for the non- horticulturalist. 

Lupines are all around us. 

Globe Lily

A picnic at the end along the Yuba. 

June 20 - Yellowstone day 1

Left our boondocking site to head into West Yellowstone and drive to our campground in Gardiner, MT. Gardiner is at the north entrance to Yellowstone. 

As we drove out of the Targhee National Forest where we camped last night, this field of wildflowers took my eye. 

And then I saw this yurt that I thought looked like a Martian house. 


As we got closer to West Yellowstone, the traffic intensified. So much so that we decided not to drive through the park. We’ll drive through the Gallatin National Forest in western Montana to reach our campground, Yellowstone Hot Springs. 

Driving through the Gallitin Mountain range is beautiful mountains, lush green meadows and roaring waters of the Gallitin River. 

Got set up in the Yellowstone Hot Springs campground. Sounds more impressive than it really is. Although, we are right along the Yellowstone River and can soak in the hot springs. 

Just got into the park and saw these elk at Mammoth Hot Springs. 

Drew and I walked around the hot springs for a bit. The area is massive and changes often. 

After the hot springs, we continued south to see the Upper and Lower Falls and Artist’s Point on the South Rim Drive. The Upper and lower falls are part of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Along the way there we saw lots of bison, some a little closer than we wanted. 

Next photo op on our drive was Tower Falls. 

Finally arrived back at the RV at 8 o’clock. Was a long day but surely didn’t disappoint. 

Tomorrow will be a drive to see Old Faithful and other geysers and mud pots. 

April 26 - Hike Buttermilk Bend State Park

Shan and Arlo came to the RV to pick us up for our hike to Buttermilk Bend Trail to see the wildflowers. 

Even though the wildflowers were at their peak a week ago, we still saw many different kinds and colors. 

That’s the Yuba in the background, roaring fast and furious. 

After the hike we headed over to Carl and Shan’s for some Arlo time. 

And then our little Kings fan. 

April 27-28 - Hiking the ditch trail and Beale’s Falls and Rough and Ready

On Tuesday, Bill and the 4 dogs and I hiked the Cascade ditch trail behind Shan and Carl’s house. I’m intrigued by the California ditch trail system. California has all these canals or ditches with water in them. Residents who live off of the ditch can use the water. Since Carl and Shannon have the Cascade, they can use the water. Bill eased the RV with the ditch water. 

Great place to get in a 3 or 4 mile hike. 

Then on Wednesday Bill, 3 dogs and I drove to Penn Valley to hike to Beale Falls. It was a little hot, so the dogs needed to spend some time in the water. 

Jax got in to his belly to cool off. 

More wildflowers along the way, lupine and California poppy. 

Made it to the falls. Was surprised to see so much water with the dry weather. Another nice trail. 

On our drive to the trailhead, I had seen a sign to Rough and Ready. It’s an historic town and I wanted to check it out. So, on our way back, we did. What an interesting place. This town was established in 1849 as a mining town during the CA Gold Rush. They preserved some of the buildings. 

In the center is the opening to the mine called Rough and Ready. 

Came back to Shan and Carl’s to rest and wait for them to get home. 

April 12-15 - hiking, wildflowers, and projects

Carl and Shannon told us about a 7-mile hike with fields of wildflowers. What they failed to tell us was how many stones and rocks we would have to traverse. This was probably the toughest hike I’ve done. 

Acres and acres of wildflowers. 

It was also a grazing ground for cows. See the cows?

Lenny and Banjo made it the whole 7 miles but were tired pups when done. 

Was surprised to see there was water coming over the waterfall. 

 


A good day, a good hike but I’m ready for some food and bed!