The Hole Tourist

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Darby Wind Cave (River Bottoms part 2)

Autumn Comes to Jackson

I'm nearly positive most of you are expecting a post about a glorious adventure and amazing back packing trip. Unfortunately we didn't get to go to Darby this year, Kevin injured his shoulder at work and was ordered by a doctor to not use it. Though he rested it as much as possible he was not healed enough for the doctor allow him to go. A let down; but, to make amends, we have some glorious fall colors from that burst with such fleeting beauty here in the splendid Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Enjoy...Up next the end of Season Yellowstone Trip :)

Cooling off in the Snake River.

Waist Deep in water just above freezing....

Monday, September 5, 2011

Two Ocean Lake Loop

Two Ocean lake is a beautiful hike. Rated as a moderate loop trail it is 6.4 miles long and takes an estimated time of 3 hours to finish. To start the loop you can take the North or South Two Ocean Lake trails. The first time we hiked here we took the North Trail, this time we started on the South Trail. We left the trail head @ 10:30am and started the hike weaving in and out of pines, through dappled sunlight and dew laden undergrowth that sprawled over the trail. At one point the trail began to rise and fall like a roller coaster, and with a bit of hinting at the kids they turned into the 'dillon coaster' and soared over that section of the hike. Shortly after the coaster we rounded the lake and came the trail for Grand View Point which is a mile trail stemming off the loop. We made the turn onto North Two Ocean Lake Loop and went another half mile or so before stopping for lunch at a sitting area of three fallen aspens squared up to one another. After a short rest we headed back, the North Trail is more open than the South and in the afternoon sun it was amazingly hot. The girls trooped back with little complaints besides those of 'It's Hot.' Jack however needed a ride the last mile. We finished the hike shortly before 2pm giving us a total hiking time of 3hrs and 20 minutes. Excellent hike.
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Sunday, August 14, 2011

Canyonlands and Arches: The photos

It seems like a lifetime ago that we were camping in the desert, enjoying a new adventure called 'freedom' campfire ranger talks and the amazing and glorious adventure that was Canyonlands and Arches. And looking back at my posts of that great trip I noticed that I dint even get to mention the amazing 8 mile Squaw Flat Hike. So here I am going to post some of my favorite pictures and a little snippet about each one. Canyonlands might just be my second favorite place to hike so far. Lulu was completely taken over by the staggering beauty and breathtaking vista, I don't think a week has gone by in which she didn't remind me of my promise to take her back when she was a teenager. Anywhoo it was a fantastic vacation. Now where to next....

Starting Squaw Flat Loop

Squaw Flat Loop

Time Out

Squaw Flat Loop

Green Grass in APRIL!!!

It was a beach in the middle of the desert, no water though.

Up...

At the Top of the spire crossing

And now Down....

Finally caught a lizard

It had a very cool blue tail. And we safely let it go.

That's a bit steep.

Ending Squaw Flat Loop

Water in the desert?!? It was a nice find.

On this trip Kevin and I had a revelation of 'Freedom", We decided out there in the world a place must exist that is truly free, for everyone. We named this moment "freedom", and gave the kids 30 minutes of "freedom" to do what they wanted say what they wanted go where they wanted (not complete freedom here, had to be within hearing distance). It was amazingly funny and profoundly enlightening. Perhaps the best moment was when Lulu dared venture into the realm of foul language and became so hung up on one foul word, right as Emma and Jack realized the opportunity and a Chorus of 'SHIT" rang through the lands. Another perk was the awareness of my camera, and with a simple please they each had a turn behind the lens.

Emma's Shots = *

Lulu's Shots = &

Jack's Shots = $