Typist: Bethany Under an almost full moon and next to the roaring Popo Agie river, we got a great nights sleep at Sinks Canyon State Park near Lander, Wyoming. We woke last Friday morning, to the smell of sun warmed juniper and sage, ready to explore this awesome, dog friendly park. I had noticed last night, a pet waste bag dispenser at the campground pay station (next to a sign asking that dogs to remain on-leash at all times out of respect and for the safety of the park's wildlife.) There was also a dispenser and sign at the nature trail head. Before we even started our hike, I was in love with Sinks Canyon State Park. The hike started with crossing the Popo Agie river on a suspension bridge. Wilhelm, Brychwyn and Huxley were very |
Our next stop was yet another amazing surprise. I pulled off the highway at a "State Historical Marker" to enjoy the view of the Wind River Mountain Range and the Great Divide Basin just before the Continental Divide. It so happened we stopped at South Pass State Historical Site, the stopping point for emigrants on the Oregon Trail after Fort Kearny. How cool! I started to wish I had planned following the Oregon Trail home to Cascadia but accidentally following was really fun. I enjoyed the 360 degree view while the dogs wrestled in between 360 degree sniffing. |
So, surprise! The sun was low in the sky, we'd driven all day and were well over an hours drive from any lodging. Ugh. The dogs and I parked at an overlook of the monument and I called Jason. He was able to search options for what the dogs and I could do next. There was no lodging along our planned route West. We'd either have to back track or detour. We chose to detour to Twin Falls, Idaho. Jason called the Motel 6 and the Super 8 to check prices and pet friendly room availability. While he did, 'R' Blood on the Tracks Boys and I briefly enjoyed Craters of the Moon National Monument.
Well, we did still need somewhere to spend the night. Jason liked the dog walk-ability sound of the location of the Super 8 Motel in Twin Falls better than the Motel 6. The Super 8 also had more reasonable pet fees. So he made us a reservation on the ground floor near the back door. It's a good thing Jason was able to get us that reservation because the sign said "Sorry" when we arrived. But before we went into our motel for the night, the fifth day of our trip West had one more fabulous surprise for us: a spectacular sunset and a stunning moonrise over the Snake river gorge, with the waterfalls of Twin Falls sparkling their way down the cliffs. Adventures are always full of surprises and we Cascadian Nomads definitely wouldn't have it any other way!