American Wanderer Summer Camp: Exploring the National Parks
Lakota Path Day 3 - 4
Day 3
Badlands NP, South Dakota - A short hike through the Wall known as "The Door" to get a first hand view of the Badlands. You have to watch out for steep drop offs!
After a stop in the Visitors Center the group hiked up Saddle Pass a short and strenuous trail and we were rewarded by the grand view of the White River Valley (it was only 92 degrees).
While driving through Norbeck Pass we stopped to take pictures of a Bighorn Sheep walking along the steep terrain. Wow does he make that look easy.
While hiking up the Saddle Pass we searched for fossils...since it had rained the night before the Ranger said they could just be sticking out of the walls of the canyon.
Hiking up the wall of the Badlands.
Wall Drug Store - We stopped, cooled off and enjoyed "Free Ice Water" and homemade Ice Cream Milk Shakes.
The campers had fun playing under the fountains and touring the largest drug store in the world and all of its fun, free attractions!
Day 4
The MammothSite - Hot Springs, South Dakota
We visited the indoor excavation site which features the fossils of 58 Columbian and woolly mammoths.
They've dug down 28 feet and have 45 more feet to go...truly amazing.
Then to Cascade Falls for a dip into the spring-fed mineral water.
Badlands NP, South Dakota - A short hike through the Wall known as "The Door" to get a first hand view of the Badlands. You have to watch out for steep drop offs!
After a stop in the Visitors Center the group hiked up Saddle Pass a short and strenuous trail and we were rewarded by the grand view of the White River Valley (it was only 92 degrees).
While driving through Norbeck Pass we stopped to take pictures of a Bighorn Sheep walking along the steep terrain. Wow does he make that look easy.
While hiking up the Saddle Pass we searched for fossils...since it had rained the night before the Ranger said they could just be sticking out of the walls of the canyon.
Hiking up the wall of the Badlands.
Wall Drug Store - We stopped, cooled off and enjoyed "Free Ice Water" and homemade Ice Cream Milk Shakes.
The campers had fun playing under the fountains and touring the largest drug store in the world and all of its fun, free attractions!
Day 4
The MammothSite - Hot Springs, South Dakota
We visited the indoor excavation site which features the fossils of 58 Columbian and woolly mammoths.
They've dug down 28 feet and have 45 more feet to go...truly amazing.
Then to Cascade Falls for a dip into the spring-fed mineral water.
Lakota Path Day 1 - 2
Day 1 Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
Also known as Custer's Last Stand. The headstones are where the 7th Cavalry soldiers fell in battle and Custer's is marked in black. His body was later moved and is now buried at West Point Military Academy his alma mater.
"Peace Through Unity" is the name of the beautiful metal sculpture that stands as a memorial to the Native American's to honor those who died in battle here.
A Plains Indian Tepee display set up outside the Visitor's Center where we listened to a Native American Park Ranger talk about the battle between the U.S. Army and the Indians who were trying to defend their nomadic way of life.
Devils Tower
Devils Tower (also known as the Bear Lodge) is 1267 feet tall and President Teddy Roosevelt declared this park America's 1st National Monument in 1906.
Ponderosa pine...did you know the sap smells like butterscotch or vanilla? The campers are all turned into "tree sniffers"!
A whole new group of tree sniffers.
After hiking around the base of the Tower the campers hiked back to our campground and stopped to see Prairie Dog Town along the Belle Fourche River.
And along the way they saw a "mule" deer and told the difference between that and a white tail deer notice the size and shape of his ears!
Day 2
Vole Buffalo Jump near Beulah, Wyoming - A natural sink hole was used by different Plains Indian tribes to trap bison in the 1500-1700s.
Bone layer number 5 of 22 the archeologists have begun to excavate in this location.
The campers are standing in front of the large scale model of Crazy Horse Memorial in the foreground and the mountain carving in the background..
Our tour guide for Crazy Horse. He's from Alabama.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial in the words of the sculptor Gutzon Borglum is to "communicate the founding, expansion, preservation and unification of the United States with the colossal statues of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt."
Also known as Custer's Last Stand. The headstones are where the 7th Cavalry soldiers fell in battle and Custer's is marked in black. His body was later moved and is now buried at West Point Military Academy his alma mater.
"Peace Through Unity" is the name of the beautiful metal sculpture that stands as a memorial to the Native American's to honor those who died in battle here.
A Plains Indian Tepee display set up outside the Visitor's Center where we listened to a Native American Park Ranger talk about the battle between the U.S. Army and the Indians who were trying to defend their nomadic way of life.
Devils Tower
Devils Tower (also known as the Bear Lodge) is 1267 feet tall and President Teddy Roosevelt declared this park America's 1st National Monument in 1906.
Ponderosa pine...did you know the sap smells like butterscotch or vanilla? The campers are all turned into "tree sniffers"!
A whole new group of tree sniffers.
After hiking around the base of the Tower the campers hiked back to our campground and stopped to see Prairie Dog Town along the Belle Fourche River.
And along the way they saw a "mule" deer and told the difference between that and a white tail deer notice the size and shape of his ears!
Day 2
Vole Buffalo Jump near Beulah, Wyoming - A natural sink hole was used by different Plains Indian tribes to trap bison in the 1500-1700s.
Bone layer number 5 of 22 the archeologists have begun to excavate in this location.
The campers are standing in front of the large scale model of Crazy Horse Memorial in the foreground and the mountain carving in the background..
Our tour guide for Crazy Horse. He's from Alabama.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial in the words of the sculptor Gutzon Borglum is to "communicate the founding, expansion, preservation and unification of the United States with the colossal statues of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt."
Shoshone Trail Day 10.5 - 11 - 12 - 13
Day 10
I forgot to include the picture of the Grizzly eating flowers as we were leaving Yellowstone.
Day 11 Cody Wyoming
The Buffalo Bill Historic Center is 5 museums in 1; Yellowstone Natural History, Firearms, Indians, Art and Buffalo Bill Cody museum.
Gun fight at the Erma Hotel.
Shoot out in front of the Erma Hotel.
Day 12
We went back to the Museum to for 2 more hours. Missed a few things and then off to the Rodeo.
A night at the Rodeo Capital of the World.
Day 13 Billings Montana
A little tubing on the Yellowstone River behind our camp.
I forgot to include the picture of the Grizzly eating flowers as we were leaving Yellowstone.
Day 11 Cody Wyoming
The Buffalo Bill Historic Center is 5 museums in 1; Yellowstone Natural History, Firearms, Indians, Art and Buffalo Bill Cody museum.
Gun fight at the Erma Hotel.
Shoot out in front of the Erma Hotel.
Day 12
We went back to the Museum to for 2 more hours. Missed a few things and then off to the Rodeo.
A night at the Rodeo Capital of the World.
Day 13 Billings Montana
A little tubing on the Yellowstone River behind our camp.
Shoshone Trail Day 10
Day 10 Yellowstone
Some of the locals on the way to Artist Point.
At the bottom of Uncle Toms Trail.
Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River
Artist Point, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.
Had to stop at another geyser basin on the way home. The smells were wonderful.
Does something Smell?
Some of the locals on the way to Artist Point.
At the bottom of Uncle Toms Trail.
Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River
Artist Point, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.
Had to stop at another geyser basin on the way home. The smells were wonderful.
Does something Smell?
Shoshone Trail Day 9
Day 9 Yellowstone
A short 5 mile hike into Fairy Falls, great way to start the day.
A short climb up to the best view of Grand Prismatic, one of the most colorful pools.
Fairy Falls flows over the rim of the caldera.
Joined by an Elk for lunch.
After the hike a little dip in the Firehole River, Warm from all the geysers draining into it.
Our camp was on the other side of the divide.
Our Dinner Guest. Yes that's Greg in the background coming out of his cabin. Yes they are dangerous and Greg went right back into the cabin.
Only one ventured in for a dip.
Firehole River 40+ degrees warmer than the falls.
A short 5 mile hike into Fairy Falls, great way to start the day.
A short climb up to the best view of Grand Prismatic, one of the most colorful pools.
Fairy Falls flows over the rim of the caldera.
Joined by an Elk for lunch.
After the hike a little dip in the Firehole River, Warm from all the geysers draining into it.
Our camp was on the other side of the divide.
Our Dinner Guest. Yes that's Greg in the background coming out of his cabin. Yes they are dangerous and Greg went right back into the cabin.
Only one ventured in for a dip.
Firehole River 40+ degrees warmer than the falls.
Shoshone Trail Day 8
Day 8
Yellowstone National Park
First stop West Thumb Geyser Basin.
One of the many pools in the geyser basin.
Second Stop Old Faithful and Upper Geyser Basin.
Castle Geyser
Campers Blowing off a little Old Faithful steam..........
Riverside Geyser. It goes off for 20 minutes.
On the way back to camp. A Bull Elk on the shore of Yelllowstone Lake.
The best part wasn't the eruption, it was the draining of the pool after.
This one went off as we walked by. We saw more geysers erupting this year than ever before. Must be a lucky group of campers.
Riverside Geyser, the campers thought it was better than Old Faithful. I have to agree.
Yellowstone National Park
First stop West Thumb Geyser Basin.
One of the many pools in the geyser basin.
Second Stop Old Faithful and Upper Geyser Basin.
Castle Geyser
Campers Blowing off a little Old Faithful steam..........
Riverside Geyser. It goes off for 20 minutes.
On the way back to camp. A Bull Elk on the shore of Yelllowstone Lake.
The best part wasn't the eruption, it was the draining of the pool after.
This one went off as we walked by. We saw more geysers erupting this year than ever before. Must be a lucky group of campers.
Riverside Geyser, the campers thought it was better than Old Faithful. I have to agree.
Shoshone Trail Day 7.5
Forgot the Bear Cub we saw on the way down from Surprise Lake
Ok it's not the best picture but what do you want. We didn't know where the mother was and were not staying around to see her!
Ok it's not the best picture but what do you want. We didn't know where the mother was and were not staying around to see her!
Shoshone Trail Day 5 - 6 - 7
Day 5
On our way to Jackson we stopped in Afton Wyoming to see largest antler arch and drink from the only cold water geyser in North America.
Tubing on the Snake River that ended at our KOA.
Day 6
Pancakes and bacon before we leave for the Tetons.
The majestic Tetons
We took a nice afternoon walk around Jenny Lake. Half took the boat back and the other half hiked the full 6 miles.
Hidden Falls on Jenny Lake
Day 7
One group went on a hike around Colter Bay to Swan Lake and Heron Pond, both covered with water lily pads as far as you could sees.
Gregory and Dylan enjoyed seeing the pelicans take flight and land on the pond.
The other group hiked to Surprise Lake, 3,100 foot elevation gain in 5 miles. All for a dip in the 34 degree lake.
Amphitheater Lake another .2 miles and 100ft. 9698 ft above sea level on Grand Teton
Nothing better than a snow ball fight in July.
A quick dip in 34 degree water. Surprise! Lake
The Girls Turn!
On our way to Jackson we stopped in Afton Wyoming to see largest antler arch and drink from the only cold water geyser in North America.
Tubing on the Snake River that ended at our KOA.
Day 6
Pancakes and bacon before we leave for the Tetons.
The majestic Tetons
We took a nice afternoon walk around Jenny Lake. Half took the boat back and the other half hiked the full 6 miles.
Hidden Falls on Jenny Lake
Day 7
One group went on a hike around Colter Bay to Swan Lake and Heron Pond, both covered with water lily pads as far as you could sees.
Gregory and Dylan enjoyed seeing the pelicans take flight and land on the pond.
The other group hiked to Surprise Lake, 3,100 foot elevation gain in 5 miles. All for a dip in the 34 degree lake.
Amphitheater Lake another .2 miles and 100ft. 9698 ft above sea level on Grand Teton
Nothing better than a snow ball fight in July.
A quick dip in 34 degree water. Surprise! Lake
The Girls Turn!
Shoshone Trail Day 4
Day 4 - We woke up this morning and everyone put on sweatpants & sweatshirts because it was approximately 40 degrees. We told the campers to keep their warm clothes on because we were heading below ground to explore Minnetonka Cave which is just a short distance from our campground. We saw stalactites, stalagmites, columns and all different rock formations in many looked familiar like strips of bacon, gold coins, the 7 dwarfs of Snow White fame, Miss Piggy's curly tail and lots more.
The three columns below are called "the three sisters".
After visiting the cave and walking 888 steps we climbed out of the cold cave and walked back into the warmth of the sun. Across the street we went to play at North Bear Lake Beach...it felt like a western version of a cross between Coney Island and Daytona Beach. We swam, ate lunch and made sand castles. A great time was had by all.
Afternoon at the Beach
Lake Dance
The three columns below are called "the three sisters".
After visiting the cave and walking 888 steps we climbed out of the cold cave and walked back into the warmth of the sun. Across the street we went to play at North Bear Lake Beach...it felt like a western version of a cross between Coney Island and Daytona Beach. We swam, ate lunch and made sand castles. A great time was had by all.
Afternoon at the Beach
Lake Dance
Shoshone Trail Day 2 - 3
Day 2 - We met "Ranger Rick" at the Golden Spike NHS who told the campers the story about the historical significance of May 10th, 1863 where the President of the Central Pacific RR Leland Stanford and the Vice President of the Union Pacific RR Thomas Durant met to drive in the spikes where East and West were joined.
Down the road from the Golden Spike we brought the campers back to present day and they climbed in and on the rockets at the ATK Rock Garden. It shows the history of rocket propulsion since the 1950's. The boosters from today's space program are all made there.
The campers help to prepare meals too as you can see the boys are shucking fresh locally grown corn-on-the-cob for dinner!
A stop to stretch their legs and take pictures of the beautiful wildflowers that grow at the Bear Lake Overlook. The lake is known as the Caribbean of the West...as you can see by the aquamarine colored water in the background.
An old western backdrop in front off the Oregon Trail Center in Montpelier, Idaho.
Apricot Pancakes
Chinese Arch
The Oregon Trail Center
Down the road from the Golden Spike we brought the campers back to present day and they climbed in and on the rockets at the ATK Rock Garden. It shows the history of rocket propulsion since the 1950's. The boosters from today's space program are all made there.
The campers help to prepare meals too as you can see the boys are shucking fresh locally grown corn-on-the-cob for dinner!
A stop to stretch their legs and take pictures of the beautiful wildflowers that grow at the Bear Lake Overlook. The lake is known as the Caribbean of the West...as you can see by the aquamarine colored water in the background.
An old western backdrop in front off the Oregon Trail Center in Montpelier, Idaho.
Apricot Pancakes
Chinese Arch
The Oregon Trail Center
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