9/16/12

Jackson, Wyoming

Click right here for my Dots on Dots block!

We drove from Butte, Montana, to just south of Jackson, Wyoming, yesterday.  We ended up staying at the KOA just south of Jackson since the park where we'd hoped to unhook was full.  We're a little stacked in like cord wood at the KOA, but it is a nice setting along the Snake River with a stairway where you can get down to the river.  Nice.

Before I tell you about the rest of the day, I wanted to update you on our little awning adventure.  This next image gives you a clue about what might have happened to it.  We had driven down a residential street when we first arrived in Kalispell.  There were some low-hanging tree limbs that we did our best to avoid.  We were trying to get turned around in order to stop in to the local Subway for lunch.  We thought we had avoided the branches, but maybe not.  This is only speculation, however.  We really are not at all sure what caused this near catastrophe.


Below are the tattered remains of our awning.


But never underestimate the reparative power of a man with a roll of tape.


We stopped at a rest area a while later and met up with a man who had been behind us by about 20 minutes.  He said he had seen a part of our awning in the road, and no wrecked cars.  That was good news.  The road was lightly traveled, but we were nevertheless concerned that we might have caused a wreck behind us.  It's amazing, but this all happened without our knowledge.  We didn't hear a sound or experience any unusual bumps or thumps.  It's hard to believe.

While we were at the rest stop, Mike decided to climb up on the roof just to be certain nothing had been damaged and no holes had been ripped in the top of the trailer.  He found no damage, but he did come down with this branch.  It lends more credibility to the possibility that something happened back there in Kalispell.  Mike explained that the awning has a ratchet mechanism that allows it to unfurl or rewind back against the trailer.  He thinks possibly that got flipped over by a tree branch, which allowed the awning to unfurl.  It's surprising that nothing happened earlier.  It seems the most logical explanation, and it's the best one we'll ever have.


We looked at our RV insurance policy this morning, and it looks like the repairs will be 100% covered by insurance with no deductible.  Thank goodness.

The rest of the day was a lot less exciting, although we did drive through some pretty country.


We crossed over the Continental Divide twice, and also crossed over the borders of two states.  This is the sort of thing you'll see driving down I-15 in rural Montana.  You'll also see a lot of bug guts on your windshield.


Yep.  Now we're back in Idaho.


I just took some random shots as we rolled down the highway to give you some idea of what we were seeing.


I don't know what the signs in the image below were telling us.  In fact, I didn't even see them until I uploaded the pictures from my camera.


Here's where we crossed over the Snake River.  There were lots of rafters in the river all along the way.


The river was dammed at Palisades, and the Palisades Reservoir was right behind it.  The dam generates hydroelectric power, but the reservoir was huge.  This is a recreational area.


The hillsides are starting to change color, and we saw patches of red everywhere.


You can see more of it on the other side of the reservoir.


Wyoming was so happy to see us that the sign just couldn't hold still to have its picture taken.


And here we are.  We haven't driven into Jackson or Grand Teton National Park yet.  We'll do that this morning, stopping off at the visitor center to pick up a hiking book.  We'll probably drive the scenic road through the park today and take in Jenny Lake.  We have signed up for four nights here, so there's lots of time to see the sights.  I'm just betting there are quilt shops in the area too.

Oh, and point of reference:  The Grand Tetons were named by French explorers who visited the area during pre-settlement days.  Do you know the translation of Tetons?  Hm?  Care to guess?  Here's a hint:  It's a part of a woman's anatomy.  Or if you prefer, it's the part of a cow that is grasped for milking.  Somehow I have an idea that the French explorers were not referring to the cow.  Bawdy Frenchmen.

15 comments:

sew.darn.quilt said...

Lovely shot of the reds on the hillside. Here's wishing the rest of your excursion is smooth sailing and no more parts fly off.
Take care

Ranch Wife said...

LOL.They're men. American. Australian. French. Men. Looks like y'all are traveling through gorgeous country.

Wendy said...

Love all your pictures! My sister lives in Kalispell and I can just picture the naughty trees that attacked your poor awning. Safe travels and thank you so much for sharing!

WoolenSails said...

I want to paddle down that river, beautiful area.
Glad that you can get it replaced free, I love having a tarp on the trailer.

Debbie

Diane Wild said...

Oh yes, the Grand Tetons. I used to have a pair of them but only one remains. But the one that remains is still Grand. Have a fun time in Jackson Hole.

Lynda Halliger Otvos (Lynda M O) said...

The awning adventure sounds like a Montana tale that you'll be able to relate for years to come: "Honey, remember that fall of '12 when we drove ..." Insurance-only in the First World do we insure our rec vehicles; glad it's covered tho for you. Could have been costly.

The pic of the WY sign is priceless. Oregon signs used to cheer when we drove OUT of the state; Wyoming is such a show-off, I love her.

JoAnns now sells Duct Tape in some of the prettiest patterns you've seen. I bought a roll of Jackson Pollack style with a white background. So much fun finding ways to use it. Ormond said, "I have lots of tape, Lynda." Yes, I am sure you do, but not like This One.

Tape Rules. Tell Mike for me please.

Denise :) said...

Bahaha!! Loved Karin's response! So glad you all have first-rate insurance on the RV. That makes things a lot easier, huh?? Fun to see a little fall foliage making an appearance in there! Quilts shops?! Count me in! :)

Lee said...

Hehe, oui, oui.
I remember the Snake River all too well. On the same trip I did away with my hiking boots, we did a rafting trip on the Snake. Marty and both - unbeknownst to each - flew off the raft when we hit a BIG splash, and I attest to how frightening it is to not know when you'll get your next breath as you try to keep your feet up while being tossed around in those rapids! Keep the pix coming :) I'm loving them all and I'm happy to learn no harm to anyone from your awning misadventure.

Kate said...

Glad that the issue with awning didn't cause any serious issues.

Thanks for the French lesson. Who said blogs weren't educational!

Snoodles said...

Snicker! Bawdy and imaginative. LOL Glad your awning troubles didn't turn into a larger nightmare. Loving the photos and the signs that are so exhilarated to see you, and, and, well, just enjoying your trip with you.
However, I am in Smitty withdrawal. Can we see him again please? Heehee!

Rachel said...

LOL, love happy signs! Miss the kitties! I need some peaceful river time!

quiltzyx said...

Yay insurance coverage & no collateral damages in your wake!

I've only seen the Snake River near Twin Falls, ID. The last time I was there, I saw a bunch of base jumpers taking off from the bridge over Rock Creek Canyon. I love all the scenery around the River, don't you?

Gisele Bourdon said...

Je vous comprends, nous nous étions en Floride et l'auvent était ouverte et la cuisinette attaché à l'auvent. Nous étios chez des amies et a notre retour tout par terre grosse auvent. Sur la route nous avons toujours attaché avec des ceinture de sécuritées (TY Rapp). Nous avons fait presque le même voyage que vous, vos photos me donne de la nostagie.
Bon retour
Gis<ele

Donana said...

Oh I get up every morning to read your blog. I am SO jealous! I am loving your pictures. I love camping and you're living mine and hubby's dream! RV and traveling!! What a great time you're having- minus the tree branch. Thank you for sharing.

kc said...

Something to be said for "uneventful" - not the same as unexciting, just uneventful. but, hey, if you can't fix it with a needle & thread, a roll of tape is just as good!

It's been YEARS since we've seen Fall foliage - it's still pretty, but I'm glad it's nowhere near us - I am lovin the heat!

Thanks for sharing all the pretty scenery!!