Astoria Hot Springs (near Jackson, Wyoming)

                                                Astoria Hot Springs 

This valley has been popular for hundreds of years by Native Americans as well as the influx of fur traders and beaver trappers.

It was settled in the 1800’s by The Astorians, who represented  John Jacob Astor’s American Fur Trading Company.

The hot mineral waters have always been sought for their healing and restorative powers.

For many years the large pool was a community favorite for soaking and gathering. 

 

                The pool had to close for economic reasons, and when bulldozing was threatened, 

The Trust for Public Land bought up the property and turned it in to the present set of 5 pools with varying temperature ( up to 104 degrees).

Soaking in the beauty with the Snake River in the background.

This is about an hour drive from our campground and a beautiful drive thru the Snake River Canyon.

The minerals and hot water turn the rocks orange.

-never seen orange moss before!

(similar to the hot pools in Yellowstone)

The Waterfall Pool

Yes, nice - even when it's hot outside.

Getting in and out of the water keeps you cooler, especially with the breeze.

When I looked on google, I kept seeing 

"Free Astoria Hot Springs"

(Ours was not free - but it was very enjoyable)

We learned that the locals call the pools that form on the river 

Hippy Hot Springs, which are free. 

When the river is at the right level, the hot water flows into the river and forms the pools.  We didn't see any that day.

Blue Fox Pottery

Etna, Wyoming--population 41

Sue and I had a little 'shopping' time and had seen this pottery shop.

It was such an interesting experience to meet this artist and hear his extensive art background.  

He does pottery as well as many other forms of art.

We learned of his raku pottery methods and the very interesting effects that the total solar eclipse in 2017 had on his pottery in the kiln that day.

( Something about quantum physics ??- didn't get it!)

The note cards on the wall are lithographs made from his sketch books 

of the scenes around Star Valley. 

Mountain Man Rendezvous - Pinedale, Wyoming

The annual event is a huge crowd gatherer, with parades, lectures, rodeos, and 

re-enactments of the Mountain Man period of history (1822-1833).

The Mountain Men, Trappers, Travelers and Indians all traded, sold, and swapped various items such as skins, pelts, guns, jewelry and whatever else they needed every year.  The traders then traveled to the east to sell their goods, and the Mountain Men  went back to gathering the pelts for the next year.

A colorful and fun parade

The Museum of the Mountain Man 

Such good history and displays of the highlights of the times.

He was mauled by a grizzly, left for dead by his companions, but survived and returned.

For my felting and knitting friends, here is a good example of the beginning and ending size of making a felted hat.  Many layers and processes of ending up with a hat that was "the fashion statement" of the 1830's

 

Intermittent (or Periodic) Spring, Afton WY

The water that gushes out of a rock is fed by an underground lake.  When the water level drops, the gushing water stops for for about 18 minutes, then resumes after the springs fill up the underground lake.  This happens in late summer and winter.

A beautiful & easy walk  - and so nice to see so much water!

Look up to the end of the water where the stream gushes forth from the rock.

It reminds us of 

"And Moses struck the rock and water gushed forth"

                                                                                    Exodus 17

We had to cross this bank of snow covered with some dirt and pine needles in order to reach the point where the water comes out of the rock.

This is the beginning of the water flow. 

Yes, it just starts here.

What a pleasant place!

On the way down, an area in the trail had so many moths and butterflies that looked like they were sucking up water and minerals from the mud.  

July 4th - (No fireworks😒) but had some fun!

Midway, Utah

The Blue Boar Inn

"Daring to eat where we have eaten before"

Outstanding food, we even ordered the schnitzel that we had ordered 6 years ago!

Sure did avoid the crowds!

 

A fun ride on the "Heber Creeper" open car

The train was built in 1899 to alleviate a 3 day trip over the Provo Toll Road to Provo and Salt Lake City.  The three day trip was the "short" version.  In winter the snow slides made the trip much longer ( or not at all).

The valley is beautiful, lush and green.

We were told that this was the most photographed barn in Utah.

(I didn't find that to correspond to google's information)

Apparently it was in shambles from too many years of too much snow, and it was rebuilt before the Olympics in 2002.

A beautiful view of the Mt. Timpanogos

(Elevation 11, 753)

Getting ready to turn around and go back to Heber City.

Viewing Midway from the top of the pass, on the way to Park City.

We rode the Alpine Slide at Park City

It is over 3000 feet long, you can go at your own speed 

(Lou's was fast, mine was slow)

The chair lift to the top was a pleasant ride, 

the signs at the top were 'warnings' of future fun.

He's pretty excited!

I figure if the lady with purple hair can do it, so can I.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY