It’s official!! We have colored in a new state! Whew, it’s about time- I feel like it’s been ages since we’ve added a new one! I am hoping we’ll be able to add quite a few more this year as we “tweak” our loop around the country to see new places.
As we’ve made our way towards Wyoming, I have had to “steel” myself for the change in climate. Gone are open vistas of red rock, the lizards, and the dryness of the desert. We have entered into a land of trees, clouds, bubbling brooks, and bugs. It’s all good except the bugs. I got used to the bug free southwest (Not really bug free, but it sure does feel that way).
I think, and hope, the more interesting wildlife will help make up for the bugs. At Flaming Gorge, the Pronghorn wander freely around the campground.
Where’s the boat when you need it? That’s a rhetorical question. We have the boat, what we didn’t have was warm enough and wind-free enough weather to put the boat in the water.
Flaming Gorge was on the way to Grand Teton, and we had a couple of spare days (since we found out it was snowing in the Tetons), so we figured it was worth a stop here, and it was. Its not one of those well known places with tons of history and scenic drives etc. but its beautiful, the water is awesome, and there is some good hiking. If only the weather was a tad bit warmer. We’d love to come back when we can put the boat in the water.
We went to the visitor center to get the scoop on the area, visit the dam, then did a 6 mile hike along the rim. The lake was created by damming the Green River as it meanders south, and is filled with trophy sized trout. The existence of trout tells the story of how cold the water is, since trout need water between 50 and 60 degrees.
Yup, that’s about it. It’s a short post, but we have moved on to Grand Teton National Park, and I wanted Flaming Gorge to have more than a sentence in the Teton post.
Congrats on adding a new state, I guess it's like those WWF pilots who'd stamp on the sides of their plane how many "others" they got up close & personal with! Flaming Gorge looks nice but I agree with you, the weather could be warmer! Let's hope we're done for snow this year!
ReplyDeleteWe stayed at Flaming Gorge last year in May and it was cold. But we were the only humans in the campground which was wonderful. We also didn't put the boat in the water.
ReplyDeleteI visited the Tetons in 1973 and took the most spectacular hike of my life up to Amphitheater Lake -- one you should consider given your love of hiking. It is about a 3000 foot climb of switchbacks over 5 miles of hiking to this small lake completely surrounded by massive granite peaks. The Tetons are unquestionably one of my favorite national parks. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteWe were in Flaming Gorge last fall and want to go back and do some boondocking. I think it is awesome and have some of the same pics as you, it was a great ride on the bike. Enjoy the Tetons.
ReplyDelete