Busy, Busy, Busy, June and July and August at Star Valley


This year we are so busy with Pickleball, kayaking, hiking, and adding boating one day a week into the schedule, I'm only giving the highlights.

We started hiking on May 23rd with friends Ione and Ron Gienger.
Bob with Ione and Ron 

Ione and Ron Green Canyon Vista Trail
Next we did the Palisades Creek Trail.  On the way to the lake, we were lucky enough to  spot some Mountain Goats on the side of the cliffs.  At the lake, the two moose calves from last year and their Mom were still there, but not as small.




We also had a pair of Tree Shallows take up residence in one of the Bird houses.


In June, we hiked several hikes and then after the water recited enough, started kayaking and boating.

Crossing Strawberry Creek, one of several crossings

Young Bull Moose on Strawberry Creek Trail,  June 2

Still too early, where to go?
Had to take the rig back down to Ogden to have slide fixed.  Wouldn't go in all the way.  So, we decided to meet with friends for dinner, and then the next day go on a hike.  Great one!
Pickleball courts at MT. Ogden Park from above

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 It's not called the Waterfall trail for nothing.
















Back in Star Valley.  Another hike.  Cedar Creek on June 14th and Swift Creek on June 16th.
Winter brings down trees on the trails.

But the flowers still come through

Swift creek running fast



Beautiful view
Did I say fast?


We were also blessed with baby robins in a nest in the Gazebo in the neighboring lot.  There were 4 babies, that we watched grow.
There were 4.



And then there were 3.  After this, they left one by one

















First Kayak of the year was on June 19th.  Jackson Lake Dam to Pacific Creek with Lynn and Linda Laymon

Snow still in Tetons

Linda Laymon

Several eagle sightings, but the Pelican was easier to shoot



Friend John Gullo  bought a boat this year so Bob and I were able to go out on the Palisades weekly, starting on June 22nd.
 
Waters still muddy and log filled from snow melt, but views beautiful

John and crew

 On the 23rd of June, back to hiking.  Hoping beyond hope to be able to recapture the beavers we had seen 2 years before, we headed to Idaho to brave the mosquitoes.

Alas! the ponds and dams are gone.


 
But we did see a doe!





























Next, since Kath and Nan had friends in from Arizona that wanted to Kayak, we had a Kayaking and picnic party down at the Marsh area in Palisades Reservoir.

 
Everyone got into the water

 


 We had ducks and Osprey!

Brandy and Rita

Even Bailey took part.



Sad to say, we had to take a break in all the fun and take a trip back to Houston for my Brother, Jim Richardson's funeral.  A sad time, but did get to see family that I don't get to see too often. Especially, my nephew, Jim's son, that had been separated from the family since he was very young.
from left to right, Paul and Stephanie (Anita's kids) Angel, Dennis, and Gina (Gladys's kids) and James David Richardson, Jr.  My daughter, Dee came to showing but had to go back to Texarkana  before the funeral

My Daughter Dee with Stephanie and her daughter Sara



Back to Star Valley for more kayaking, boating and hiking.  We're also throwing in ATV and Jeeping.

July 3rd on Marshes
Judy, Rita and Jane

Just looking for food





















Salt River, Creamery to Lake, July 5th

Getting ready for Salt River Creamery run

Eagle fishing at first turn of Creamery run

Boating with Kim and John and Lynn and Linda on the 7th of July

Another Eagle Sighting

The rest of July was more of the same, so we'll just highlight sightings and new people.
Cottonwood Lake hike on July 17th

Wildflowers on Willowcreek on 21st

More eagles from the Boat on July 27th

Some snow still in the Mountains, View from Grand View on Two Oceans Lake hike on 31st of July

August was just as busy, but really great since my Sisters and Spouses came up to Star Valley to see us.

Snake River below Palisades Dam 8/2



Osprey from Kayak on 8/2

Waterfall that we kayak to on Snake  8/2





Family got to Star Valley on Sunday, Aug 6th.
On Monday, we went sightseeing past Palisades Waterfall, view not as good as in Kayak, but still beautiful, and then through the Tetons ending the evening at Bar J Ranch for BBQ and show.  Great Day




Osprey from Car

Anita, Gladys and I at Waterfall

Anita and Stan

Denny and Gladys

Antelope in Field

Bison crossing road in front of us
On Tuesday, Afton and the Intermittent Springs, which wasn't intermittent yet. 


Wednesday was the final day with family, but really great, White Water Rafting down the Snake River. 

Gladys set behind and to side of me, so she's the main person in pictures

Gladys, Stan and Carol Tripp. The Tripps joined the family on this trip.



 Cutting this short, still kayaked, hiked and boated and did some ATVing the rest of August, But internet at Star Valley too slow to create blog, so I'm sitting in the hotel room in Salt Lake City, trying to get this uploaded before we leave in couple of hours to Ireland.  More to come












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