Yellowstone & Grand Tetons National Parks, Hot Springs SD and home

 

We made it back to Yellowstone and Grant Village Campground. It's a bit overcast and chilly but went for a walk after dinner and were rewarded with an amazing sunset over Yellowstone Lake.

Our one thing we really wanted to do was to go kayaking on Yellowstone Lake. We watched the weather closely and thought we found an opening... it seemed like the sun might even come out.

We passed beautiful scenery and even were able to come pretty close to one of the geysers. Pretty cool to see it from the water side. People kept asking us if the water was hot but it really wasn't much warmer there.

As we turned to head back the blue skies quickly turned to dark clouds...yup, we got rained on! Here's the last picture before I had to put the phone away.

Next we are on to those Grand Tetons! We are so excited that Bruce and Jan are coming all the way from Michigan to join us here. It's amazing to think that we planned this 10 months ago and the day is finally here! Dave was so excited he made a peach cobbler for them.

Booking early got us sites right next to each other. The sites are really large to the sides but you parallel park the RV next to the street at Colter Bay campground. Bruce & Jan just got a new 44' rig and it's there to the left of ours. The deer also came to visit us!

Campfire time and Noodle is happy because he gets to be outside on my lap. Bummer that Bruce isn't happy because he has COVID and has to stay inside! Good thing we had all the supplies to medicate him right away. In the meantime, Jan can come over and bring him his meals. Quiche and mimosas is surely what the doctor ordered! 

Day 3 and we finally got Bruce out of the rig. Poor guy was just tired of being tired but he was a trooper and went on a small hike down towards Jackson Lake. It is a little after peak season but I'm sure during summer months those docks are all full. 

It was good to see Bruce coming back to life and able to be out and about at least for a while. We had another campfire and once again Noodle was a happy camper!

Our final day at the Tetons and it just wouldn't have been right if we didn't go to Jenny Lake. Bruce was up for it so we drove out and enjoyed a boat ride and a short hike. It's such a magnificent place!

We took the boat across the lake and then hiked up to Hidden Falls. Along the way we saw this mama moose and her baby. We didn't get too close but Dave still got a pretty good shot of mama.

 

It was a beautiful day. The weather seemed to follow Bruce's recovery and as he got better so did the weather. A perfect fall day for a hike!

On the road again and headed for Cody, WY. It's so much fun traveling with other people so they can take your picture from behind! Of course, campfires are always better with friends too!

Lots of cattle along the roadside, some not even in the fenced area. You sure don't want to hit one of those guys! 

We stopped for lunch at what we thought was just a nice parking lot but it turned out to be a museum. Bruce and Jan went in and Dave got another hat! More driving and some pretty cool views. We had to stop for a brake check so we had some fun along the way.

Bruce was only slightly concerned about the 7% grade downhill and the sharp curve ahead!

We made it down the mountain and it was another beautiful night for dining al fresco. The next night we took it up a notch and ate at Buffalo Dreamer in Hot Springs, SD. Look at those handsome fellas!

 

With more than a few calories to burn off from the previous night we headed off to Custer State Park for a hike. It was really warm at the campground but when we got to the park it was at least 15 degrees cooler. Good thing we grabbed those rain coats at the last minute!

It was supposed to be a "moderate" hike according to my Alltrails app but you wouldn't believe the grief I got from my fellow hikers. It might have been a "little" uphill to get to the falls but the views along the way were worth it!

It was a great spot for taking pictures...or maybe everyone just wanted to rest! 😏 They really were pretty good troopers, especially Bruce just coming off COVID.

 

And then as Dave always says..."What goes up must come back down" so down we went. Then on our way leaving the park we happened upon this guy...

...and this pretty girl!

After all that hard work hiking we were able to go to one of my favorite places, Moccasin Hot Springs. We almost didn't get to go because I was so focused on getting our reservations at Buffalo Dreamer I didn't even think to look at the springs site. Apparently we've been telling too many people about it because it was all booked for the day we wanted to go. Good thing I still have some persuasive powers and was able to get us in, even if it was at 9am! 

 

The day ended even better with a Harvest Host winery stop. They had the best wood stove pizza and the wine wasn't bad either!😉 Our rigs barely fit but we made it without even unhooking.

We had a lovely sunset for our last night together before Bruce & Jan start heading home and we head to Iowa to visit Lori & Greg.

On Saturday Greg had a funeral he had to go to so I lucked out and got another golf lesson from Lori. She is such a great coach; so positive and encouraging! Even more uplifting was going to church with them Sunday morning. It was SO good to fellowship together!! Then the day kept getting better with relaxing in their pool and dinner. 

Greg made fabulous pork chops and salad with tomatoes from their garden. There is nothing like a home grown fresh tomato! We are so blessed with our friendships from RCR (that's Royal Coachman, the campground we stay at in Florida) and that we get to see our friends on our travels. 

Speaking of friends and travel...we stopped by to see the nice folks we met in Alaska, Bev and Cliff (or better known as Jerry as I mistakenly wrote in my first blog about them ~ sorry!) at their home in Wisconsin. It was great fun meeting all the kids and grand-kids we had heard so much about. Immy and Kinzley just loved Noodle (Pappy hid in the bedroom, of course!). I also had a really special chat with Kylie, their granddaughter who had just read the entire bible in 2 weeks. The Lord works in marvelous ways!

Next stop was LeClaire, Iowa to see Dale & LaVonne Zahn. Dale was the EO of the association of Realtors in West Michigan before retiring. We spent many hours together in board rooms and it was nice to see them in a more relaxed environment. They took us on a tour of town, including to the home of the TV show, American Pickers. I failed to get a picture of them but we had a lovely evening together.

From Iowa to Illinois to see Stephen & Donna for the night. At least I remembered to take a picture, even if it's not that great of one. We went to Sun Singer restaurant and the food was amazing. Dave & Stephen split an Oktoberfest special called "Expect the Wurst". Contrary to it's name it was pretty tasty! It was a fun night and good to see them both. 

We lucked out at our next stop in Monticello, IN that the weather was warm and the pool was still open! We were going to go kayaking in the lake but that pool was just too inviting. What an amazing day for October!

Inching our way closer to home we stopped for the night at a Farmer's market in Elkhart, IN. The building was just huge but they wasn't any fresh produce to be found! Now it is mostly an antique shop and some restaurants. We were the only ones there so we had the parking lot to ourselves to enjoy the sunset.  Finally then today we crossed the Michigan line but still not quite home yet...

Today was Jan's birthday so we met them in Fennville at Fenn Valley Winery. They were supposed to have their motorhome too but it's still in the shop getting some work done (UGH). Tomorrow we will complete the last 41 miles and return to Grand Haven after 13 months of travel. It will be good to be home but we are so thankful for God's provisions and His angels watching over us. Thank you for following along with us and your prayers as well!