The morning was brisk and we set out to see Yellowstone. I was just amazed at how enormous the geyer basin was at Yellowstone. This thermal activity is present for hundreds of square miles. All I knew was, if the ground began to shake I was ready to meet Jesus! There would be no escaping from here. Ha!

One very interesting steam vent sounded like a jet engine. It was so loud! I saw the paint pots, which are pools of boiling mud, and they sounded very funny. The Glory Pool, which is a thermal pool known for it's amazing colors, could not be seen due to the extreme amount of steam hovering all around us this morning. Doesn't mean I didn't enjoy my free facial! The colors in these hot pools come from the different organisms of life that are supported at the different temperature changes within the pool.

The day was overcast and misty and simply beautiful! We drove along looking at the incredible wooded areas and seeing damage still being rehabilitated from the fires of the past most recent I believe in 1988. But to see the regrowth of so many sapplings in various degrees of growth around the fallen elder trees was very humbling. God knows what He is doing and his plans are flawless.


We then came upon the Yellowstone Canyon upper and lower Falls. It was a nice 109 ft drop over about a 1/3 of a mile to the brink of the lower falls. What awesome power you could hear, smell and feel as you came closer and closer to the water.

Dad and I had gathered small pine cones and acorns and were tossing them back into the current and watched their perilous descent over the rapid falls. You could actually hear the suction of the water over the falls. I bet the sound from below was deafening.

We went to another area where the view of the falls was picture perfect! The trees framed my picture so well.

We also viewed the reason behind Yellowstone's name. Can you see the yellowstone in the walls of the canyon? Amazing isn't it?

My time in this natural erogenous zone had come to an end for now but now I would be on to more enticing natural pleasures.....

The Teton Mountains!!

We entered such a quaint little community called Teton Village. Our place of lodging was called The Hostel X. It has been a ski hostel for some 40+ years. Very accomodating but very simple and not to mention a wonderful relaxing basement area with many modes of entertainment.....TV, ping-pong, video games, board games, fireplace etc. etc.

Well with the backdrop of the Tetons as our inspiration we were ready for our first adventure. A ski tram ride to the top of Rendevous Mountain, the mountain directly behind our lodging and then a hike over and to the top of Cody Peak. Dad firgured it would be a nice warm up to the altitude and terrain.

I strapped up my new but used Exum approach shoes I bought for $20.00. I was so excited just to think how many climbs my new shoes had already been on and very enthusiastic about contributing to the count. Decked out in all my carefully purchased gear we headed up the ski tram.

What happened next was one of the worst feelings I have literally had in my entire life!!! As I exited the tram and started down the graveled stairs to the outlook cabin, I stepped too loosely and my R ankle, which has been injured several times but the last time being over 10 years ago, twisted and I found myself on the ground. I was in utter disbelief. I knew the injury was bad and as I looked at Dad at the base of the steps, with the beautiful scenery behind him, I could speak no words.

He helped me down to the shelter at the base of the steps and the tears started to come. I was so angry. All the work...all the suffering with my L heel. I wouldn't accept that this was the end of my adventure! As we removed my boot it was obvious this was no "walk it off" injury. But the injury to my ankle was high on my ankle and I still had pretty good range of motion of my foot and toes. Always prepared, my Dad took out first aid supplies from his pack and we wrapped it tight and I decided I best get hiking because who knew what the morning would bring. I wanted to try for Cody Peak because Garnet Canyon now was maybe an impossibility.









I had to stop short of the peak due to the pain my ankle, knowing I had to make it all the way back to the ski tram, but I got to watch Dad as he made over and up the last 1/4 of a mile.

The hobble back to the base was slower than I would have wanted. I was remembering my own advice I give my patients in the hospital who were getting up and walking for the first time after surgery, etc , "Just remember, you have to come back as far as you go." I had been Gung Ho, believing this might be my last hike in Wyoming and now my ankle was really angry with me!!

I made it back and down the ski tram and now I was ready for some ice. Dad set me up on the front lawn of the Hostel X with a comfortable chair and a 5 gallon bucket full of slushy ice water.

After I convalesced for awhile, I made it up to our room and into a hot shower.

Then I was in for a special treat.......Bubba's Barbecue. Delicious, family owned, low maintenance, good eating 'hole-n-the-wall. I ordered a pile of pulled chicken barbecue that came with texas toast and a wonderful salad. Yum! Yum!

Needless to say I was ready for some sleep and time off my poor mangled ankle. I would have to wait until morning to see if there would be an early plane back to Indiana.