About a month ago, Shelby and I went to Lake Owen to hike the Rail to Rail trail in the Medicine Bow National Forest. It took us about 45 minutes to drive from Laramie. On the way, the wind was howling and it started to rain. Despite some hail and temperature drop, we persisted and had a nice hike along the lake and on the new trail.Shelby hates to have her picture taken so I had to sneak up behind her!
Wyoming Thistle: 
We saw a Red Fox on the way home:
The weekend after that, my good friend Erin came up (over?) from Nebraska to interview for the curator of education position at Fort Casper. (Of course she got the job!!!)
Erin and I took a short hike at the north Crow reservoir at Curt Gowdy State Park between Laramie and Cheyenne. Both Tilley and Shelby came with us. We should have taken our fishing polls!
Yesterday, I went “hunting” with Jason. I didn’t know what to expect. We left early in the morning (early to me, late for Jason) and started off outside of Medicine Bow looking for pronghorn. I took my zoom lens but like any good hunter who practices with his weapon, I should have done the same with my lens! I’m a little rusty and wildlife photography is harder than I thought. We crawled around in the sage brush despite the 35 to 50 mph gust of wind. That’s right, it was WINDY!
The weekend after that, my good friend Erin came up (over?) from Nebraska to interview for the curator of education position at Fort Casper. (Of course she got the job!!!) Erin and I took a short hike at the north Crow reservoir at Curt Gowdy State Park between Laramie and Cheyenne. Both Tilley and Shelby came with us. We should have taken our fishing polls!Yesterday, I went “hunting” with Jason. I didn’t know what to expect. We left early in the morning (early to me, late for Jason) and started off outside of Medicine Bow looking for pronghorn. I took my zoom lens but like any good hunter who practices with his weapon, I should have done the same with my lens! I’m a little rusty and wildlife photography is harder than I thought. We crawled around in the sage brush despite the 35 to 50 mph gust of wind. That’s right, it was WINDY! Blurry pronghorn...
Jason aiming at blurry pronghorn...
Don't worry girls, he didn't take the shot!
After a morning hike with little success, we had lunch at the Dip in Medicine Bow. The owner is a folk artist who painted all the ceilings and tables in the joint. He is most well known for his hand carvings of cowboys, Indians and all things Western. He uses ONE piece of wood and NO glue for an entire carving. We were impressed.
After lunch we went towards Elk Mountain looking for, what else, elk! We hiked through the beautiful aspen stands but didn’t see any. Jason said he could smell them. We did however see a bald eagle, golden eagle, pronghorn, mule deer, a badger, a variety of ducks and a big green frog! I was most excited about the bald eagle. 
One of Jason's famous "short cuts"!
Before it got to dark we went to Jason’s parents’ cabin for dinner. Yummy chicken curry. Too bad I couldn’t stop sneezing. I guess rolling around in greasewood and sage isn’t good for the sinuses. Oh well, it was worth it! 
Surprise! I got up EARLY all of the days we were in Yellowstone and these pictures were my reward! 
Alana and I covered a lot of ground during our 5 day adventure. We put on over 1,500 miles! Here are some of the sites on the way to and from Yellowstone:
We spent the night in Jackson and had dinner at a popular brewery and saw the Bourne Ultimatum at the local theater. There were only two other people there with us.
A very popular spot for photographers. 
On our way to South Pass City, we drove through the Red Canyon. 
South Pass City, one of my most favorite historic sites: 
I love the various geysers and hot pools we explored while in Yellowstone. Despite the strong smell of sulphur, they were very enjoyable. 
Animals we saw: 
OSPRAY
MOOSE
ELK
And the wildest animals of all... 
Yellowstone Lake & River:
