It’s now a few hours later and just looking at that plate – – I wish I could go back for more right now. It was so good and it was such a fun night. Oh yeah, and then we went to Walmart! This has been a day for the books! \240

That’s a road waaaaaaaaaay down there. \240

Next stop was Stewart cascade, https://www.stewartcascade.com/. A pretty spectacular waterfall. Paul said it would be a lot easier for me and more like a walk in the woods. Not more than five minutes into \240the hike I knew he had lied and I wanted to kill him! It was a rocky and rugged Trail, narrow and very steep. just as we neared the falls and we could hear the water, we hiked down a very steep incline to the bed of the waterfall. No doubt about it, it was gorgeous but unlike the first hike, this one was uphill both ways. again, if it hadn’t been for my pal Job I would never have made it and when I did make it, again, I felt pretty damn proud of myself. We decided that John is truly a saint as he helped these two girls across the bed of the falls.

Knucklehead! \240How’d he get up there anyway?????

OK, that is clearly enough hiking for one day. In fact, for me, that might be enough hiking .......... period! \240 Nah, but I’ll pick and chose my hikes from here on in, thank ye very much!

Next stop that our tour director Paul took us to wise Sundance. \240A little, very idyllic mountain ski resort and we hung out at the Owl Bar for a beer and some bites. Didn’t run into Robert Redford or anyone famous but because they get a lot of famous people, no pictures were allowed at this bar. Rested and relaxed, our next stop was Park City for dinner. Got about halfway there on a very windy \240road when we had to turn back because the road was closed . \240Took about another hour to go back to Sundance and out to the highway over to Park city and we got there about 7:00. Had dinner at the High West distillery and saloon. Really really good. Very fun. Very expensive!

With filled bellies, we headed back to the hotel to see if there was room in the hot tub to soothe our aching legs but it was full and will save it for another time.

Day three, Sunday, September something. Seriously lounging this morning. In true Dailey fashion, Mimi and Paul went to Orange Theory and John is going for a light workout in the hotel gym. I am not. When they come back, I might already be in the hot tub.

:-(

😞 hot tub at Little America closed

☺️. But we know Paul Dailey...............Pool at Grand America across the street is OPEN! \240Yay!

After a good soak, it’s off to the Green Pig Pub for Sunday brunch and Eagles game.

Delicious brunch, yummy bloody Mary’s but eagles are getting creamed. \240Boys moving on to another bar to watch game, Mimi and I off to grand America pool and hot tub 🏊‍♀️

Beautiful pool but not conducive as a swim up bar like we have at home!

Although this hot tub would do perfectly in our back yard!

A little pool and hot tub time for Mimi and me and John and Paul watched the game and had fun at the bar. After a little naptime, we went over to Grand \240America \240and then a much-needed walk up to the Mormon Temple and a stroll around the gardens, etc. \240very impressive.

Got back to the hotel and John and Barb had already arrived and checked into the room.

A fine how do you do and catch up with Johnny and Barb, Paul and Mimi and John and me. Good to see them although it indicates the end of stage one of the trip which has been incredible. \240Paul and Mimi have outdone themselves as hosts And general tour directors.

Anyway, once we regrouped we hightailed off to White horse for dinner. There hasn’t been a meal we haven’t loved and this one was no exception. relaxing and delicious dinner and evening and then it was back to the hotel to rest up and get ready for the next stage. First stage has been so cool and so fun.

I hate to say goodbye to Paul and Mimi and I hate to say goodbye to this gorgeous hotel but onward we must go to the next adventure. And I’m looking forward to it.

Monday, September 9

The last breakfast of phase one!

A quick walk up to the Temple again to show Johnny and Barb and then we pack it up and hit the road to Victor and the Kitchen’s.

Hello, Idaho! \240

Leg two of this trip just a wee bit different than leg one. \240Entered into ID and \240stopped for lunch.............at Burger King 🤴

Day 5, Tuesday, September 10

Ok, kids, first thing we notice is it ain’t summer temps any more!

We arrived at our cousin, Jim and Jean Kitchen’s about 4:00 or so. \240They are really gracious and brave to have us here for 3 nights. \240We immediately settled in to cocktails and catching up because I don’t think we’ve seen these people in 30 years! In fact I’m not sure if I’ve ever met Jean before! But it was great to catch up and hear about all their kids and all their adventures. this side of the family is very adventurous – they love fishing and skiing and biking and all of the outdoor life that this area has to afford them. There are some wicked open spaces here and the Snake River is at there doorstep. \240Very beautiful and western! \240And Jean is one helluva cook — delicious dinner and such fun company.

Jean Kitchen-chief chef and sweetest hostess ever

Meet Lolita! In Jim’s garage/man-cave.

Kitchen’s home

Big Holes Mountains

Teton River and moose getting breakfast

Same moose!

Teton River

Snake River

Different moose

Tetons from the west and Victor

Freezing atopTarghee. Cloudy, rainy and cold but I held on to that blanket!

Cousins off to Targhee

Johnny meets Lolito

Heading up Targhee

Very cool and idyllic stream

Our personal tour guide, James Sherwood Kitchen

Holy cow, porta-potty outside Victor! \240Hey, it’s Idaho!

I’m not exactly sure where to begin so I just posted pictures first. After a great nights sleep, James took us out to look for moose and other wildlife of which there was an abundance. We saw moose and bald eagles and lots of cows and horses add a Marmont or whatever that was called. \240Jim is a fun and experienced tour guide and it was sweet of him to take me and John out. Great time but then it was back to the Homestead. Had a quick breakfast of English muffin and fruit and then it was off \240to Targhee. Good thing we bundled up because it was bloody cold! Jim has been on the snow patrol here for a number of years and secured a couple of passes and off we went up the chairlift, through the clouds, to the top. I think he said it was 10,000 feet and I really felt it. Kind of felt a little dizzy, dizzier than normal, and if I thought I had shortness of breath at sea level, not likely that I will build a chalet in the mountains anytime soon! Unfortunately it was cloudy, definitely cold, and rainy as we headed back down so the views weren’t great. Oh wait, they were nonexistent because we were definitely well into the clouds. In fact on the way down it started to snow! Either way, it was very cool. The views are really spectacular. Johnny \240and Barb went with Jean back to the house and John and I stayed with Jim who took us on a little side trip through, I think he said it was the Teton Trail. We were looking for bear! Didn’t see any but apparently Jean, \240Barb and John saw one on the way up to Targhee. \240Hopefully will get other chances for bear sightings later in the trip.

Still raining so we headed back to base camp but stopped in Driggs to pick up sandwiches and lunch items to take back to the house. Once again, bellies full, off we went to someplace in Driggs because Johnny needed some sneakers/hiking shoes and Barb was looking for shirts I think. \240And then went shopping, too! \240He got.........

It really is the simple things in life 😂

Who’s a fashionista now! \240GQ, here he comes!

These are a couple of somebody’s. \240Who wears ‘em better!

One very \240great Jim Kitchen pic of the Tetons. \240Thank you, James!

So I know I’m on vacation because I felt not a shred of guilt taking a nap this afternoon for about an hour and a half. It was awesome! \240After a well deserved nap, we regrouped and headed off out to dinner – – pizza and salad at a microbrewery. Really good pizza and once again, really good company. \240Loving this Idaho thing! This surely is gods country.

Wednesday, September 11th

Always remember

And never forgot

And now to start day six. \240

Good morning, Sadie

Laundry day.

And now off to Jackson to shop, maybe see Leigh and Bill, but mostly to find more suspenders for Johnny! \240He’s been liberated by the simplicity and life changing effect of .............. suspenders! \240It’s the simple things in life!

It’s a soggy and wet day in Victor Idaho and Jackson Wyoming. Had a relaxing morning and then headed over to Jackson Hole for a little sightseeing and shopping.

This is self explanatory

This is the sign on the restroom door! \240They are very explicit and there’s seriously no room for errors! \240Who knew you’d need to be told to “sit down on toilet”!!!!

C’mon, that’s just cuteness squared.

Ditto

A beverage stop

Giddy up

Jean and John beveraging

Late lunch break

Local bear......

Picked up a few essentials such as jellybeans, chocolate, and suspenders for Johnny, of course. Made our way back from Jackson to Victor with plenty of time for a nap before dinner.

We’ve wrapped up the day with dinner at Warbird in Driggs........delicious but I need a break from food! \240Doubt that notion will last for very long but doesn’t it sound good???

Warbirds. \240https://www.warbirdscafe.com/

G’nite..................

Day 7, Thursday, September 12th

Pack up and push off from Kitchen’s. \240Got a fairly early start and headed to Yellowstone and it’s west entrance. But first we took in Mesa Falls, upper and lower. So amazing well worth the time.

Mesa Falls in Idaho before getting to West Yellowstone

I am such an artiste!

Need to figure out how to arrange these pictures because this is of Johnny and we want to emphasize and show off \240his new suspenders. \240But this was still at Jim and Jean’s house before we left this morning.

Artistic, right???? \240I was actually watching a woman take this picture so pretty much I just copied her!

Onward we went and entered from West Yellowstone end it was literally one amazing view after another. The very first stop was at Ernie’s for lunch. \240But the first major stop in the park was the old faithful and the Old Faithful Inn where we took them the tour. The place is a whole lot bigger than I thought it would be and it was really quite an interesting tour. When the time was right, we dashed out to see old faithful do her thing but I have to say it wasn’t quite as spectacular as we thought it would be. \240I thought it would be higher and longer.

Lunch at Ernie’s

We went Idaho to Montana then into Wyoming! \240Who knew? \240Not I!

Bison.....our first!

Old Faithful

A lotta hot air!!

Yellowstone with snow capped mountains ...... looking east to Table Mountain and Eagle Peak

John and Johnny goofing around. \240If you see someone pointing to something, everyone stops and wants to see what it is. \240

They didn’t get anyone to stop!

I put my toe in the Yellowstone River.

So many bison! We came around the bend and there had to be at least 100 of them just milling around.

This, I’ll have you know, is the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Way down there at the very very bottom is water! tomorrow we will be hiking this area and will get a whole lot closer to that water.

We checked in to Canyon Lodge and yes, it is very basic but it’s great to be in the park. I will say that even though it’s basic, it’s really perfect. Very clean, very comfortable, nothing fancy, no Wi-Fi, no tv but really clean and comfy. \240They have a souvenir and snack place and you can pick up some groceries for your rooms They have a cafeteria style dining situation. Prices are good and food is pretty good and plentiful, , \240too. \240Rooms are expensive but that’s the price we pay for being in the park and I’m OK by that.

John and Barb have their wine. I had my beer, and Johnny let go of his suspenders and ate the rest of his salad from dinner.

What a day this has been. The rains \240from yesterday are gone and it was all sun today and the views are just amazing. I especially love the Mesa Falls in Idaho \240and all the beasties in the park. And now I’m going to bed. \240I kind of think we’ll need a vacation after this vacation.

Day 8, Friday, September 13th

And we’re off and running but first, breakfast. \240Eating here is a lot like what I think the 1950s would be like. The S shaped counter, very retro. so breakfast was here at the café or some may call it a diner where there is also a general store for any souvenirs and groceries and stuff.

The old original Yellowstone tour bus

More falls. \240I had no idea there were so many waterfalls in Yellowstone

John, Barbara, Johnny

Now this guy is my kind of moose. The Ranger said he is very rebellious and doesn’t keep his herd all that close. Earlier in the day he had been getting into mischief but here he is clearly just relaxing in the sun .

More waterfalls but there was a girl there who had this clear glass ball but she said it was a lens and she was taking a picture of the waterfall through the lens which was balanced on a rock. \240 So of course I asked her if I could take one, too. \240She let me and this is how it turned out. Looks very Escher-like don’t you think?

Petrified tree. Doesn’t look scary at all to me!

Our very patient, tireless driver

Give a Moose a muffin my foot. This fella was huge and I wasn’t going near him and this was close enough for me.

Drove around the north and south rim of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone but didn’t see a lot of animals. It was mainly the waterfalls. And since I love water, \240I was happy as a moose in Yellowstone.

We came across this scene and it seems lots of people just pull off the road and set up the chairs and hang out to watch the animals. Would love to have seen a bear but that was not happening today.

Me ‘n John

Day 9 I think 🤔. Saturday, September 14 but don’t quote me

When you go to Yellowstone, with no WiFi or tv or seemingly anything connected to the rest of the planet, it’s easy to lose track!

Yellowstone is amazing and definitely all about one stunning view after another, gorgeous waterfalls and a hell of a lot of buffalo. \240We would love to have seen bear and wolves but that might be for another trip. One of the Rangers was telling us that to see bears and wolves requires camping and heading into the outback ...............with lots of bear spray! \240We started off the day with a light breakfast – – well, not John because he always has huge breakfast – – and then we circled around heading toward the east entrance and making our way out of Yellowstone and on to Cody, Wyoming.

We stopped at some of the mud flats along the way to the east entrance. \240 We drove along the northern rim of huge Yellowstone Lake. Saw a great deal of burned forest along the edge of Yellowstone Lake and we also saw the monument along the lake to the forest firefighters who died fighting the 1988 fire . \240

John buy one of the percolating mud flats where the smell of sulpher is still burning my little nostrils! \240 That is one nasty smell!

As we came out of the park, we came across the Pahaska Tepee. \240It was once buffalo bill Cody’s hunting lodge and now a general store and inn. \240A very cool place on the eastern edge of the mountains that go up into Yellowstone. We also were talking to one of the workers and he was telling us about a 600 pound grizzly bear that lives in the mountain across the road and comes down to forage along the tree line.

Johnny making friends as usual

Made a quick stop at a dam............ and I’ll be damned if I can remember the name of it. But it was cool.

onward to find a place to have a picnic lunch which was a must do as we were planning this trip. We found just the perfect spot and the weather could not have been better.

Picnic stop

We drove into a picnic area only to find a large group of people already there ready to picnic like the big boys do. They have a cool grill and all kinds of food and they couldn’t have been nicer and they invited us to join them. Get this. It was a group of people from the Cody Cowboy Church and they were having a Saturday picnic and fishing by the river and barbecuing. Most of the men were packing firearms. Even Pastor Pat! They were quite a crew and we spent a little time with them. Could not have been friendlier and personally I would’ve stayed a lot longer. The hamburgers and hotdogs were perfect and smelled delicious but we went and got our own table anyway and had our sandwiches! Those burgers looked really good!

After passing by the reservoir in Wapiti, we went through the tunnel and on to the outskirts of Cody. We started passing many ranches before getting into Cody. \240The first thing we come into on entering Cody is the world-famous Cody rodeo grounds. Now let’s keep in mind that we don’t have a hotel scheduled for tonight so we’re kind of checking things out as we go along. It was interesting.

We were scheduled to stay at the Cody Hotel tomorrow night and the following night but nothing for tonight. Cody is not a real big place, at least not in size, and as luck would have it we stumbled across a Best Western which is right next to the famous Cody museum which is FIVE museums in one ☝️. \240Somehow we managed to reserve a house, yes, a house, at the Best Western. Who knew! \240Hey, it’s Wyoming! Then we had to figure out how to cancel the Cody hotel because this works out so perfectly for us. \240It’s a whole house and cheaper than the Cody Hotel. \240And believe me, it’s really nice, clean, and very well-equipped. Plus they have a gym and a pool, indoor and an outdoor pool, and a hot tub . \240After the cabin and retro fittings and being immersed and secluded at Yellowstone, this is like a palace! \240But the best is yet to come!

But first we went over to the museum to check that out and got our tickets and got started there and will probably go back tomorrow because it’s pretty big and there’s a lot to see! \240Tomorrow, I hope will be a slower pace because so far it’s been go, go, go because there’s just so much to see and do.

Anyway, after the museum, and advice from a gal at the museum, we decided to head over to the Cody Cattle Company. \240So much fun! All you can eat dinner – – you know I love that – – a brisket and barbecue chicken and coleslaw and baked beans and just all the Fixin‘s followed by a very fun show. \240 There was a lot of hootin’ and hollerin’ and we had a blast!

Back to our reservation at the Best Western.........this HOUSE is available for all three nights. \240The Cody Hotel is across the the street from the Cody Cattle Company so Johnny insisted on going in to cancel that reservation so that we could stay in this house for the whole. \240After John kicked Johnny in the shin and told him that he would do the talking – – boys will be boys – – John sweet talked the girl at the desk to take the cancellation with absolutely no penalty! I don’t know how he did it but he saved us probably more than $500. \240surely John will be rewarded!

Day 10, Sunday, September 15th

Am I allowed to say this is a day of rest???? Well I just did! \240I don’t think I even took any pics today. \240Oh wait, I guess I did!

Andy Griffith - museum visit

Still in the museum

And one more museum!

A quiet day and Johnny has arisen from his nap. \240His first one of the day.

And while he and Barb were lounging and napping, we went out to check out the highlife of \240Cody on a sunny September Sunday afternoon . \240Making friends as we go along! \240We met a very nice couple at the museum this morning from the Netherlands, Bern and his wife, \240whose name I’m pretty sure we never did now. But Bern was very chatty and interesting and we got along like a house on fire. Plus we kept bumping into him all day long. At this point we decided to put him to work and had him take our picture. Thanks, Bern!

Cocktails poolside. Resting up for a night at Cassie’s. OK, the food was good, the service was so so, the entertainment was hilarious! But I should say it wasn’t meant to be hilarious! \240it was a mother and daughter act and the mother apparently was a famous opera singer in her day. We’re all still trying to figure out what day that was. She apparently has lost her voice and is reduced to playing the xylophone and a keyboard! \240The daughter reminded me of Baby’s sister in Dirty Dancing. Please, I beg of you, go back and watch dirty dancing! \240Enough said. The day is done. \240Our day of rest is over. \240 Tomorrow we are in for a big time at Meeteetse. \240Sweet dreams and don’t let the bedbugs bite. Which reminds me… The hotel down the road, very small motel and \240quite possible they rent rooms out by 20 minute periods, is advertising Wi-Fi and new mattresses!

Day 11, Monday, September 16th

A light day and just taking in Cody. \240Ventured out to Meeteetse but I think we may have been 20 years too late. \240Virtually everything was closed, even the famous candy store. The woman at the Conoco suggested we mosey on down little further to see a ghost town. \240Meeteetse was pretty much of a ghost town so we opted another route. We took a bit of a tour but it’s a pretty sleepy area and was kind of quiet so we headed back to Cody, had some lunch, relaxed and then off for some of Cody’s finest night life!

Went to the famous Irma Hotel (www.irmahotel.com) for dinner and then to the Dan Miller Revue \240 It was so good that I have to include the website : \240https://cowboymusicrevue.com/contact/. \240Let me tell you, cowboys are alive and well. I think I wanna be a cowboy in my next life!

Night One in Cody was a high time at the Cody Cattle Company. \240 Night two was at Cassie’s and that was just hysterical as far as the entertainment went but believe me it wasn’t supposed to be hysterical. And tonight was another delicious dinner buffet and just a great show. \240 I’m not sure, but I think we covered all the hot spots in Cody...........3 great days!

Tomorrow we leave Cody behind and on to Jackson Hole and the Tetons for a few days. \240Cody has been so good and we got lucky with this Best Western..........who knew!

Day 12 and 13, Tuesday and Wednesday, September something

Took a break yesterday but only because it was a travel day. Weatherwise, I think we covered all four seasons in one day.

Snow

Back to beautiful

Arrived in Jackson hole about 4 o’clock. So good to be at Bill and Leigh’s and, especially for me, to catch up with Leigh. \240Jim and Jean Kitchen joined us for dinner and it really was a great evening. \240Leigh and Bill are so easy and welcoming — a wonderful way to wind this trip up.

This morning we headed out to the Tetons and took the boat across Jenny lake. We hiked up to inspiration point — well, two of us did! \240A great hike and I think I am slowly getting used to the altitude. Unbelievable and spectacular views and we will be back!

Me ‘n my bro

After getting ourselves back down the hill safely, next stop was theChapel of the Transfiguration church

John and I have been here before but Johnny and Barbara had not and we wanted to make sure they saw it

OK, it’s 2 o’clock and all I’ve had is a half a piece of banana bread and a kiss. Time for some lunch

Lunch on the deck at Dornan’s lunch on the deck at Dornan’s — \240perfect 👌

He was one very hungry fella —— we all were.

The view for lunch

Crazy great way to end this trip.

I don’t know what day it is but we’re apparently winding up this mega adventure.

Last night we had a great dinner at Leigh and Bill’s and just hung around and ate and drank and then the conversation moved to..................TRUMP! \240I kept my mouth shut ..................... but not for long. And just when we were doing so well and not once did we talk politics on this trip. Must have been Bill and Johnny‘s fault, I’m sure! It was really funny but I was happy to go to bed after a long day in the Tetons and what for me was a good hike to Inspiration Point! Very inspirational! \240Wink wink 😉

This morning it was time to pack up the car once again and hit the road but not before meeting some friends of Bill and Leigh’s — Robin and \240John Fields, great friends of theirs and so nice to meet them. \240Left their house about 10, stopped for lunch at an A&W...............who knew it was a restaurant? I just thought it was a brand of root beer and since it was a restaurant I think I had my very first root beer float and I know it won’t be my last.

Anyway, we got to Salt Lake City about 4:00, Will grab a quick bite to eat and then need to re-pack and figure out how to get everything into these two bags. Not quite sure how will do it but I know John will figure it out. Tomorrow, I’m pretty sure that’s Friday and we will return the car and fly back to Philadelphia. Unbelievable trip and I think I speak for all of us when I say it was so much fun and we did so much in short weeks.

Some final pics from today

Except this one which was last night—Leigh and Bill and their pooches

Group photo

On our way out, we passed a moose and her baby and in the background is the dad but you can’t really see him in this picture. Pretty cool, \240though

S’long, Tetons

Hello, again, Salt Lake. \240View from our room at Little America.

To the left

Grand America across the street

And to the right.

And I think we’re done.