Day 1 was Snow Basin, Royce didn't come because he ended up working. But Day 2 he was up and ready to ride some of the Ridge Trail. I have to admire Royce's courage to attempt the rides I had planned for him, because he is a beginner. Normally I wouldn't take a beginner on these rides, but he is having surgery on his neck soon and will be incapaciated for several weeks, so it only makes sense to go on some cool rides.
We rode the ridge trail starting at Cascade. I figured this would give an easy start and end on a good note. Aside for the many flies and bites the ride was great. The flowers are still out and look amazing.
Day 3 was Sunday, so we spent it like we normally do. The final day of our vacation, day 4, we rode Wastach Crest and went on a community group ride. I told Royce after "puke hill" there was hardly any climbing, and it was down hill all the way. You know it's not until you ride with someone who hasn't ridden much you begin to realize your descriptions are far from correct. We hit the top, and there was a little bit more climbing. We went down for a short time and then there was a small stretch of climbing. Royce was a good sport about the description of the trail being slightly skewed. After we got done he liked it despite the fact there was more climbing than I described. Oh well, at least he had a good time.
I got to lead the community group ride this evening. I guess the memo did not go out there was a ride. The only ones that showed up was my family and Mandy's friend. Too bad no one else came. The conditions were perfect.
So vacation is over and it's back to work tomorrow. So glad we live in a place where we can ride in our back yard every day of the week.
The bad part about all the sleeping was I did not have anyone to navigate for me, and I have not driven to Jackson or Evanston, which was on the way to Jackson. As I approached our first intersection Mandy woke up and started asking me a bunch of questions and I was trying to figure out what happened after I exited. From the directions I thought I was supposed to exit again within 1/2 a mile. Wrong! Of course it took driving 10 miles back tracking and going back to figure this out. It was about this time Shandy woke up and tried to help navigate. She tried, but I had to pull over more than once to read the directions t make sure I was on the right route or taking the correct exit. With all of the misturns we got into Jackson a little after 3 pm.
After the falls we continued on and soon came upon two very large Elk.
After seeing the Elk we drove on Mammoth Springs. At Mammoth Springs we walked the built trail and looked how the springs had changed the environment. It is amazing how there is living and dead vegetation throughout the hot springs. One shot of the springs looks like a ghost face. Can you tell from the family picture we are a little bit tired--at least Mandy is.
After leaving Mammoth Springs we drove past a rock formation out of no where. We saw a pine tree growing right out of a rock.
We continued on our way heading to see Old Faithful. We saw another water fall.
After the falls we stopped at Norris Geyser. I was able to get a picture of Steamboat Geyser going off. I also like the picture of Cistine Springs. I took a lot of pretty pictures of the area, but don't want to make this too long.
By the time we finished looking at the geysers at Norris we were tired and decided to head back to the motel. I thought Mandy was tired, but as soon as we got to the motel she was swimming with friends again until 10. It took until 11 to get her to sleep. She was so wound up she wanted to talk and talk. This is the draw back of sharing a room with your kids. But it is also funny.
After playing it was time to go home. The ride was good. Mandy slept the entire time except the last hour, Shandy slept and Royce navigated. When we arrived to Park City we drove right in to a big rain, thunder and lightening storm. It was very dark and ominous. We also a fire being put out on the road after Heber and up in Bridal Veil Falls. After the long, fun vacation it was great to be home to rest.