The Fabulous Star Valley- Summer 2018

Got to Star Valley, the middle of May, and it was rainy and cold. But as always, the weather changes and we get out to play pickleball in the mornings unless we go hiking or kayaking.


First hike on May 20th was Cedar Creek, still too much snow to go very far


View is great with the snow in the mountains.

Next hike was on the 25th of May. Palisades Creek. No moose at the lake this year, but did spot a Mountain Goat or 2.

Water is still too high to Kayak, so in June we just did more hiking.

Still alot of snow on June 3rd hiking of Cottonwood Lake Trail

Of course, my man's in the picture

Every once in a while, I'll have a picture of me to let you know I'm really hiking

The next hike was Strawberry Creek. The road was blocked by a snow slide, so we had an extra mile to get to the trailhead.

The winter left the trees across the trail, had to weave our way in and over the trees

and of course snow still covered the trail


It's hard to see, but the pile of snow is on the street in front of the car.


Luck of the day was a young buck

Can't believe it, but I had my 50th High School reunion. We flew to Houston for the reunion of Sam Houston High School 1968. Had a great time and some great memories.

Cecelia, Brenda and I. We went to Junior High and High School


Still like to party

Got back to Star Valley and had time in June for one more hike. This is a hike that I've never completed before, Still didn't make it to the top of Prater, but did make it to the saddle.

We're at the saddle, but the top of Prater is up at the point. I'm not one for ridges

Still had a small spot of snow to cross over.


Beautiful scenery

On July 2nd, we flew to Alaska to take a trip with my Sisters, Gladys and Anita and their husbands, Denny and Stan. First real trip together, normally just a condo somewhere to spend time together. Had a great time and really enjoyed it. It was a Train Trip.

Started out at Anchorage and took the train to Seward.

It was great and the train would slow down almost stop to point out animals and other sights. These are Dall Sheep

The scenery was beautiful

Second moose of the day, the first was a Cow and calf, but they were running and with the movement of train and them, too blurry

Anita and Stan at the Kenai Fjords National Park

At Seward, we arrived on the 4th of July. Great weather, we took a boat ride in the Kenai Fjords National Park. We had previously visited Exit Glacier from the land side of the park. Now we would see the water side. The crew on the boat were pleased with the weather. 1st day in a month without rain and wind. It was gorgeous. We were lucky enough to see Humpback Whales, Orca Whales, puffins, eagles, sea lions, otters. Could not have been a better day.

Otters floating in the fjord

The next morning, we moved on to Talkeetna with stops at Mt. Alyeska. This was the only section that was by Bus. Nice, but enjoyed the train more.


Took the tram to the top

The resort from the top


Stan and I enjoying the view


Family on the patio at our lodge in Talkneeta. Denali in the distance.


Mt. Denali First view of it from Talkneeta. Taken with Phone

On Friday, before boarding The Denali Star train we took a Jetboat tour of the Talkeetna, Chulitna and Susitna rivers, with a stop at a Dena'ina Indian Encampment.

This was actually a Trapper's camp

some of the animal furs that were caught


This was where they stashed the furs, taking down the ladder so it was not accessible when gone


Dogs even enjoyed the views

Beatiful country

Exiting train in Denali


Home for 2 nights

The next morning is the big day, a trip to Denali National Park and Preserve. We had a Backcountry tour. Around 13 hrs with lunch at the Back Country Lodge. Mt. Denali was clear all day and the guide was in hog heaven. He says that only 10% of the people get to see it this clear. We were really lucky. Saw moose, foxes, bears and cubs and caribou.

Bringing a great day to an end, we head back to the lodge. It's a curving steep road up to the lodge. The next morning, we have the only rain day of the trip. We have the morning off to explore Denali on our on. Decide to have breakfast in town and then do some shopping. Also, Bob and I decided to walk from town to the visitor's center. It was about 2 miles or more. We took a bus from the Visitor's Center back to the lodge since it was so steep up there.


This is the weather rock in town


People build little rock statues and add to the wall in town


This is actually the launch for river rafts, they have ropes around the rafts and lower by sliding down this ramp. It's a long steep slope to the bottom

Now, the final train ride to Fairbanks on the Denali Star in 1st class with dinner on the train.

Moose on side of road on way to train station


Domed car for trip to Fairbanks

The rafts on the river that I mentioned before

Overnight in Fairbanks, then the Last day, we had took the Riverboat Discovery trip down Chena and Tanana Rivers. We stop at the Chena Indian Village. We also have a bush plane take off and land on the river right next to the boat.

After the riverboat ride, we were transported to the Trail Breaker Kennel for a tour of the home of Susan Butcher, Champion of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race and farewell dinner. Susan Butcher was the second woman to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in 1986, the second four-time winner in 1990 and the first to win four out of five sequential years. Her favorite dog was Granite. He was the runt of the litter and no one but Susan believed he could pull a sled, much less lead the team and win.

We retired for the night and the next day flew out of Fairbanks back to Jackson after a fantastic trip.

So back in Star Valley we continued our activities of hiking, kayaking and pickleball.

On Jul 13th osprey in nest while Boating on Palisades

on the 18th, this motley crew kayaked on Snake from South Park to West Table

Some took on a little water in the rapids

Tried a new hike on the 22nd of July. Water crossings got the best of us

Kayed the Lower Snake on the 23rd. Waterfall still there.

Carol had a phone call on that one

the on the 24th, this group did Deadman's to Moose Junction


Beautiful views on this stretch. Some saw 2bull moose. I only caught a glimpse of one, so no picture

That was the rest of July, now August, more hiking, kayaking and a boat ride.


Aug 8th we tried the Wolf Creek trail again, this time with water shoes

The trail left lots to be desired

We kayaked on the 15th, but hiked this Cottonwood Trail on the 16th

The boat ride on the 12th was nice. Saw this pelican

and an eagle or 2

On Aug 20th Linda, Lynn, Bob, Rita and I took another Kayak trip. From Moose to South Park only 28 miles


Only a few rapids at the end, but did have a little detour, took the wrong braid and ended up at a dead end. Luckily we only had to carry the kayaks over the wall that Bob's standing on


Then, having Happy Eats at John's house, we get to see this Buck

Friends Tess and Bob came to Star Valley. Didn't get to spend much time with them, but did take them out for a ride in the country. Over to Crystal lake and Waterfall Rd.

Bob and Tess Meggs at Crystal Lake

Time of the year for herding the sheep

Bob's eye surgery for a detached retina in Middle of June continued to heal. He was restricted from Swimming for 2 weeks after the first and then again after the second surgery at end of July. Everything is now ok and we're back in Happy Trails. Left Star Valley on September 13th. Stopped by a neat new place that we had passed several times on our way, but never stopped. Candy Rock Mountain. Looks like a place to come back to. Right on the Sevier River. Next day on to Page, or really Greenehaven, AZ to visit with friends Donna and Lloyd Roberts. Great time.

Arrived on Friday, took a ride to see the lake down from their house.