State maps

 

 

Montana

 

 

There is a lot of Montana left to explore.  We’ve got the mountainous western part pretty good though.

 

 

Idaho

 

 

We filled in a few counties, but still a long way to go.

 

 

 

But Wyoming, that’s different.  We only had one county to go.

 

 

And our route home through Idaho, with an option through the town of Kemmerer, got us that last county.

 

 

Now we’ve been in every county in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, and Washington.  Oh no.  All the other states are contiguous, but that leaves Washington hanging out there all by itself.  If we filled in Idaho, that would connect everything, but that’s a lot of counties.  Nevada would be easier, and we only have three counties to go in Oregon.  Another challenge for another trip.

 

Roadside elk

 

 

 

 

He was too busy munching to look up at us.  We were too busy driving to wait for a better shot.

 

The only elk we saw in the park.  We figured they were all at higher elevations and would come down in the fall, which is what they do, but this one was clearly here.

 

Norris Geyser Basin

 

 

 

 

 

 

And beyond.

 

 

Back to Yellowstone

 

 

Not literally, but it’s still in my head, colored by minerals and algae.

 

 

 

 

 

 

An overnight stay in Rawlins, Wyoming

 

 

Continuing on today to see Becky and Brian in Erie, Colorado.

 

2026 Summer Trip Map link

 

On the way here, we took a scenic route between Rawlins and Laramie we’ve been looking at for decades but not gotten to: Wyoming Highway 130 through the Snowy Range.  It only adds an extra half hour to the trip if you don’t stop.  But forget that.  You’ll stop.

 

 

 

 

Help

 

 

I’m not through sending out Yellowstone pictures, but now we’re moving again.  We drove south to Montpelier, Idaho.

 

2026 Summer Trip Map link

 

Some KOAs are gravel parking lots.  Not this one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LeHardys Rapids

 

 

 

 

 

A good place for American Dippers.  One of my all-time favorite birds.  They feed underwater in swift water.  Sometimes they walk around out of the water and pick at bugs and grubs underneath the surface.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes they go all-in and dive underwater to graze the deeper streambed.