The Very Grand Tetons

Here is a sneak peek of the fabulous peaks to come.
Awe yes, the Tetons are quite grand!

Yipee, what a happy day because I absolutely love the mountains! Thank you God!

A unique elk antler archway welcomes all to Jackson's town square. Elk shed their antlers every year so the local boy scouts gather them in the meadows and bring them to town to sell and donate them.Jackson's charming downtown has rustic wooden boardwalks and these boots were make for shopping at the great variety of stores.

Even serious shoppers need to take a break and enjoy the western charm of Jackson.

Thanks to Tom's nephew, Scott Brady, we found the Gun Barrel Steak and Game Restaurant and had a delicious meal. Tom devoured the buffalo prime rib and Lorraine loved the elk chops...both were fantastic.

The Gun Barrel's resident buffalo "Clyde" makes a nice backdrop for our new western gear. Tommy bought me this new white shirt today...so very nice!

Welcome to Yellowcoldstone

As we say goodbye to Cody we are once again amazed with the beauty of Wyoming and give thanks to God for letting us enjoy His creation.

Traveling west we enter Yellowstone and were surprised to find it so very chilly..... See what I mean?

Here's a view of frozen Lake Yellowstone and several hot steaming fissures on the shoreline.

Driving a little further into the park we turn a corner and find this mama and baby right on the side of the road causing a bear jam. The Park Ranger was slowing down the traffic and we had a front row seat to watch the bears 20 feet from our car. So cool!

Mama and baby crossed the road safely thanks to the Park Ranger.

Old Faithful lived up to it's name and spewed it's steamy spray high in the sky. However it wasn't quite hot enough to heat up the day so we headed south to Jackson Hole.

Hoping it will be warmer there when we get down from this 8391 feet elevation. What is the continental divide anyway?

Cowboy-up in Cody

The spectacular scenery of the Wyoming wilderness and Rocky Mountains as we drive to Cody Col. William F. Cody or better known as "Buffalo Bill" founded the town of Cody, a town full of western charm and warmth.

Tom's been "Codyized" which leads you to do strange things like......

.....trading in the Chinook for this vintage ford truck. He aways did like orange!

..... and he's now on tour with Dan Miller's Cowboy Music Review. What's Next???
What's next is I'm going along with him...a true country duet ready for the rodeo.

The Cody Nite rodeo clown loved Lorraine's hat and wanted to swap for his. What do you think?

Tom made friends with this donkey instead of trying his hand at the bull riding. Left that to the cowboys who put on an entertaining show. Yeehaw!

From Bones to BBQ

First stop of the day was to visit the dinosaur exhibit, many of which were dug up in northern Wyoming around the Hot Springs of Thermopolis. The Dinosaur Center houses the largest "Supersaurus" ever found which was as big as the entire length of the building. Nice Kitty, soft kitty.....
Oh, home on the range....Tom invites this big guy home for dinner.
A relative of Mr. Buffalo accepted the invitation and provided a delicious buffalo burger dinner...yum!
Enjoying the 104 degree natural mineral hot springs at Thermopolis...ah, ah!!!!!

Cruising and Singing Video(turn it up loud)

Sunny Sunday in Cheyenne

What a beautiful sunny morning to worship with other believers at Calvary Chapel in Cheyenne!  Pastor Shaun Sells gave a very encouraging message and we were recharged to start the week.

A quick jaunt through the capitol city with its western influence was a fun stop and we are starting to fit right in with the wild west theme.

The road to northern Wyoming was absolutely gorgeous. Big ole' blue sky with huge clouds and very few drivers on the road. The wide open spaces made me want to weep...so immense and peaceful.
Now just add some country music up full blast and you got the right idea.      The final leg of the drive was through the beautiful Wind River Canyon and then we found a campsite in Thermopolis and we'll tell you more about that tomorrow.

Pony Express Tom Meadows Style

We couldn't resist stopping to investigate after seeing this sign......

especially since Tom was making such good time across Nebraska in his own Pony Express style.

This is one of the original stations where Pony Express riders would stop and get a new horse in their 100 mile relay carrying mail across the West.

Check out the following job description.

  

In his own Tommy Express Style, we arrived in Cheyenne, Wyoming just in time to shop at the Sierra Trading Post Outlet. Nice new jacket, Lorraine!

Our last stop of the day was to buy a homemade apple pie, a Meadows tradition for many years known to appease the bears while camping.

Goodbye to our sweet family, Hello Nebraska

Grandma Lorraine gets her last goodbye hugs from squeezeable 9 month old Parker Thomas Gee.

What a precious boy!

Big Grandpa Tom and little Parker practicing the monster mash.

What a sweet family, we will miss you very much!

Loved our week long campsite in the Gee's backyard under the cottonwood trees.

500 miles later we tried another TV Food Network Eatery in Omaha known for their brined and smoked brisket sandwich....super yummy! 

Glen Ellyn in Bloom

Blooming beauties around Monica's yard...nice don't you think?

Monica's kitchen window box in full bloom. I'm so proud of you honey!