Sawtelle Mountain

Today's destinations were Sawtelle Mountain and Mesa Falls. In the picture below, you can see Sawtelle Mountain in the distance. Notice the little round ball on the top.
Going up Sawtelle takes some time but there plenty of breathtaking views.

The little ball at the top of the mountain is actually an FAA long-range radar station.

The sign says it all...don't go any closer.

Still plenty of snow remains for July.

It was so windy today, we could barely stand here to get our pictures.

It's almost like looking out of a plane. Sawtelle is 9,866 feet high.

Several people rode their bicycles up the mountain, making a great trip down if you make it up in the first place.

It's like being in the clouds. You don't see any trees this high up.

For more pictures, click here pictures 1-47.

To be continued...

Big Springs

Big Springs, located in Island Park, Idaho, produces 12 million gallons of water a day and forms the headwaters of the Henry's Fork of the Snake River.

On the other side of the river sits a cabin built in the 1930's by Johnny Sacks, a German immigrant. In 1981, it became a National Landmark.

We were there after-hours so the cabin was closed for the day.

A water-wheel built by Johnny provides electricity and water to the cabin.

Doug stands at the mouth of the Snake River.

The diagram below shows you the area.

There are a lot of these birds around the area.

We walked about 4 miles on a trail and old abandoned railroad tracks.

These flowers won't have long to bloom as winter comes quickly around here.

Doug demonstrates the internet is available almost everywhere.

In the distance, the bridge to Big Springs.

The bridge has vending machines for food for fish and other scavengers who wait patiently along the bridge.

After a day of sightseeing, it was time to visit Big Jud's in Ashton, Idaho. If you are hungry, you won't be after you eat here.

Here's why: The Big Jud 1 Pound Burger with everything, especially an old fashioned milkshake with extra milkshake served on the side in the tin milkshake cup.

For more pictures, click here .

To be continued...

Tautphaus Park Zoo, Idaho Falls, Idaho

Today, we visited the Tautphaus Zoo in Idaho Falls. They have the largest collection of animals in Idaho with over 400.

It seems wherever we are there is always some animal to greet us. This one, however, you don't want to get too close to even if she is smiling.

These giants you can't miss.

This one was a little shy for pictures.

Most people don't know that pink flamingos are pink because they eat carotene - containing brine shrimp.

The zoo has 14 species that are endangered and part of National Species Survival Plans.

These guys were inside fighting over the sun coming from the skylight.

We made a new friend when this little guy came over to the glass to see what was going on.

This cat is just a little too big for our rv.

For more pictures, click here .

To be continued...

St. Anthony, Idaho and Ashford, Idaho's Frostop Drive-In

Today we visited Saint Anthony, Idaho. It is an old-fashioned small town with this roaring creek running through it.

We dined at Ashford, Idaho's long-standing Frostop Drive-In. Mmm-mmm-good. Have some fry sauce with that!

Here's our patio area now that summer is here.

And here's a picture of the front of our site.

Here's our prisoner.

He wouldn't talk.

For more pictures, click here .

To be continued...

Shopping in Idaho Falls

Today we finally ventured out of West Yellowstone to the bustling metropolis of Idaho Falls, Idaho for our first big grocery trip.

Here a couple of pictures along the way.


Idaho Falls, like many other cities in America, now has a vacant Circuit City building.

What? That's all the groceries? NOT!

For more pictures, click here .

To be continued...