It's About the (RV) Journey....: 4th of July Holiday Weekend.....

Harriman State Park of Idaho has numerous trails, and each are really different. This time, we decided on the trail that goes around Silver Lake, and up into the woods of the Targhee National Forest for a bit before going back down around the lake. The ranger told us the spots we should make noise when walking, so as not to surprise moose or bears. Okay then.

Off we went, and most of the trail was shaded, which was really nice. I snapped some more flower shots, before they fade out and die. We noticed things changing around here, such as the flowers going, and the snow melting on the mountaintops.

forest flowers

hiking through the forest

cool looking fungus-looks like a golf ball

Silver Lake is a bird sanctuary, with nesting trumpeter swans and other ducks and birds. We spotted a heron across the lake and watched it for a bit as it sat on its perch. We also saw a few trumpeters, and were looking for the nest but could not spot it.

heron

Its so nice walking such pretty trails, with wildflowers everywhere. Even in the woods. Tom appreciates it too, I can tell, because he's been taking a lot of pictures too! Hahah. Someday I will blow some of these up to hang on the wall.

a nice mix of wildflowers

such a pretty hike

After about 2 miles, we entered the Targhee National Forest. The trail was not as well maintained as the State Park, we noticed. As we were watching our footing, we saw some very fresh bear scat. I think Tom wanted to see a grizzly or a moose during our hike, but I was sure to make a lot of noise talking so we didn't surprise anything.

entering Targhee National forest

nice

another nice mix of flowers

pretty in the forest

We didn't see any moose, or bears, but we saw a ton of wildflowers. Back in the State Park, we finished the trail around the lake and Tom pointed out the Ridge Trail he will hike alone next week. The trail was just opened, as the ranger thinks the bears have moved up farther into the mountains by now. They stick around until the elk calves are a little bigger and are't as easy prey.

are you watching for moose?

that's the ridge trail over there!

next week's hike! After the bear alert is lifted

The hike was a very pleasant 5-miler, and we really enjoyed it. There are a few other hikes in this park we would like to do before we leave Idaho. We brought our lunch - perfect day for a picnic.

lunchtime

lunch in the park

In the evening, the campground had a "parade", with patriotic music blasting from some of the vehicles. Lots of 4x4's were decorated to the max,and cruised up and down the lanes at the campground, throwing out candy to anyone hanging out. There was also a potluck for anyone who wanted to participate...but we skipped that. (Hmmm...not a fan of potlucks!).

lots of 4-wheelers here

the parade going by-haha

I know it looks like its the middle of the afternoon, but its light late here. Usually still pretty light at 9:30! We ended our 4th with a s'more!! (And some reading around the campfire....I know....pretty wild, huh?)

yum....s'mores

classic campfire dessert

what a mess to eat!

relaxin'

Sunday we drove about an hour and a half to Virginia City, Montana, which has been nick-named the Williamsburg of the West, since it is a living history museum too. It was a beautiful ride through the mountains, with a few scenic overlooks enroute. We saw more cowboys and cowgirls moving their cattle down the road to another pasture. Eventually we drove through the big town of Ennis, Montana...which has a nice "main street". I even spotted a yarn shop! We continued on towards Virginia City, enjoying the beautiful views.

rustling the cows down the road

real cowboys and cowgirls

woah-is that a yarn shop?

cute little town of Ennis, Montana

view at the top of the mountain we just drove up

its beautiful out here

lots of river to fish!

Virginia City is a real town, though it has many original buildings from the Victorian gold rush days. The population is about 150 now, but back in the day was more like 10,000. Some of the original buildings still stand, and original collections can be viewed by the public. It has a fascinating history, in a time of the gold rush, stage coaches and vigilantes in the 1860's. A short train ride away is Nevada City, which is also an old western ghost town.

Virginia City-living history

Tom's looking for a beer??

As we travel over some of these mountains, I often wonder how the journey was 150 years ago. Check out the stage coach carriage. The wheels are so narrow.

imagine riding in this area in this! Check out the size of the wheels

the "grocery" store

no....we didn't take a stagecoach ride! ahhaha

the "laboratory"- I don't see a fume hood, eye wash or safety shower! ahhaah

before FDA and OSHA

Main Street-that hotel is open for business

shops interspersed with the Old West original Americana

now I know why the fancy hats...the sun is so strong here! (Its 90 and hot, but its a dry heat!)

Bell Telephone....

Before wireless and fiber optics and cell sites (sorry Tom, no job here for you!)

here comes our train now

heading to Nevada City

nice touch at the train station

There is a little open air train that takes you to Nevada City, a couple of miles away (or you can just drive there). Nevada City is a true western ghost town-no one lives there like in Virginia City. On weekends, costumed interpreters bring the past to life, and it becomes a living history town. Virginia City and Nevada City contain the largest collection of old west-Americana artifacts from that era outside of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.

original building

love the quilt

Nevada City Saloon (I got an ice cold bottle of water!)

fire hats from back in the day

fire engines (Tim-can you imagine fighting a fire back then with this equipment?)

I think I saw this house on "Gunsmoke"

its a whole ghost town

all original buildings

love these living history museums!

learning how to make a quilt

old school house (I think its the first one in Montana?)

the teacher slept in the back room (this was before teachers unions)

creepy guy-a bunch of pelts on his little home

Victorian home (wealthy family lived here)

how did they get this stuff here by covered wagon and stage coach?

more typical home

lunching on authentic beef barley stew

one room cabin

main street

I think he needs another beer (j/k)

the Star Bakery....very good!

this was a busy little place....waiting for the train back to Virginia City

you could also pan for gold and garnets (but we skipped this!)

panning for gold

isn't that like a painting?

love that blue house

On our return trip back to our campground in Idaho, we stopped in the bustling town of Ennis, Montana. The main street is unique, and well, let's face it...I just wanted to LOOK in the yarn shop. I may have bought a little something. Its blue.

Center of Ennis, Montana

Main Street

Nice Art Work on the building

this town has character

oh, and a yarn shop!

had a weak moment and just had to stop

This area is just beautiful, and the river runs through it. There are so many spots for boat launches all along the "highway". This is the place to be if you are into fishing. It really looks like fun. Many of the fishermen are wading, and some are in boats. But they all look like they are having a nice peaceful respite from whatever. There are a lot of campgrounds, cabin rentals and lodges too. If we stay here much longer, I may be tempted to take a fly-fishing lesson. Looks like fun!