Exploring the Bighorns

Our first stop Tuesday in the Bighorns was the visitor center. They have exhibits, films about the area and rangers on hand to help with questions. When we asked about areas to take the kids, we were told that most things were still under snow and the streams are running too fast to safely play in them.  They did recommend their 1/4 mile interpretive trail next to the visitor center. We walked the loop and saw quite a few wild flowers but not much interpretive information. We could see where the signs were supposed to go, but they hadn't been installed yet this summer.  After watching the movie about the Bighorns, Isaac Colson remarked, "I can't believe we never watched a movie the last place we went (Lovell)." We watch a film about the area we're in at all the visitor centers we visit.  Dode bought his souvenir for the trip, a $10 map of the Bighorns.  He loves maps and reads them like I read novels.  Miriam saw it and said, "Dad, it's just like the maps you make!"  Actually, she was wrong because the map we bought doesn't show any elevations and Dode's maps do!

taking a break on the trail

some wildflowers on the trail

much prettier in person!

aspen along the trail

We ate lunch at the Sibley Lake picnic area.  The stream was running high and fast but was one of the tamest we've seen.  The kids were able to play on a bridge across the stream that has surely seen better days!  We'd had to buy more jam for our sandwiches at the resort store.  We paid $4 for a jar of Wal-Mart brand jam we could have bought for $2.  Then, as Anastaya was carrying it back from the store, she dropped it and broke it.  We sent her back for another since we really needed that jam and thought, "Wow, we're going to spend $8 for $2 worth of Wal-Mart jam!"  Fortunately, the employee behind the counter felt sorry for her and gave her the next jar for free.

playing on the bridge

They spent about 20 minutes trying to retrieve a fishing lure they saw on the bottom.

Once they got it up, they found out it was a gum wrapper!

Before we left on the trip, Dode went through and made sure all the air mattresses for sleeping on held air.  It's a good thing he joined us because four of the six had leaks that needed fixed.  He spent part of Tuesday finding the  leaks (not always easy) and patching them.
Dode tried out a mountain bike trail that he'd seen on the map and thought I'd enjoy, trail 430.  He selected it because we could drive to the top and pick up the bike rider at the bottom.  (We're pretty lazy when it comes to mountain biking and rarely "earn" our down hill runs!)  On the map, it looked like it was all down hill since it followed a stream down a canyon.  I've learned that the best way to make sure I'll enjoy something is to have him try it out first.  After going down the trail, around boulders, through mud and the stream in places, he decided it really wasn't a trail for me.  At least he got to have some fun!

After lunch, we went for a scenic drive to see how far we could get before we encountered a closed road.  It's sure easy to explore the high country of the Bighorn Mountains from the seat of the car! 

We drove until the snow blocked the road and then had fun playing in it.  I don't know if you can tell, but Miriam and Elizabeth are both barefoot and playing in the snow.  Hours later, Miriam was still telling us if we'd just gone fast enough, we could have made it past the snow.  Apparently she takes after me, (I always have to see the end of a road/trail.) 

The kids enjoyed time in the pool as well as rafting on the pond near our tents. 

exploring the pond

Lodge pool