August 2022 – We finally began to cool off and slow down towards the end of our summer whirlwind travels when we got to Wyoming, and that’s when we began to discover special places we’d never heard of before.
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Intense monsoon rains had hit the southwestern states in July, but the places we’d been visiting at the time in Washington and Idaho hadn’t seen a drop of rain. When the storms finally came to Wyoming, however, the skies got wild and the temperatures became more comfortable.
The late summer storms in Wyoming were magnificent!
We’d found enchantment in the small town of Encampment, Wyoming, and folks we met there had recommended we take a drive into the Snowy Range to Lake Marie.
What a fantastic recommendation that was!
Lake Marie in Wyoming’s Snowy Range
Two happy campers by the shore of the Lake Marie.
Buddy was in his element.
There is a hiking trail that goes around part of Lake Marie, so we had to check that out!
The pungent smell of evergreen trees was thick in the air. It reminded us of the balsam fir trees in Maine that gave off such a fabulous fragrance that we deliberately drove around in woodsy areas with our noses hanging out the open truck windows! I’m not sure which trees were giving off such a wonderful scent in Wyoming, but we loved it.
We hiked the trail along the water’s edge.
This was a beautiful spot to get some pretty pics.
What a great spot for photography!
The water was perfectly still.
We met some people who have been coming to this lake for a visit every summer for the last 40 years! They had just done the longer hiking trail that goes up into the peaks of the mountains that frame the lake. We weren’t prepared for a big hike, though, so we made a mental note to check that out next time!
A hiking trail goes up that ridge…
…and continues along the crest.
This is Buddy’s favorite kind of place. He ran up and down the trail excitedly and then rested in the shade.
Buddy takes a break between romps.
Across the road there was a beautiful stream with a bridge crossing it.
We followed a stream down towards a little bridge.
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Buddy, the Trail Scout, ran ahead, of course, and then came back to tell us all about it.
Buddy tells Mark what’s ahead on the trail.
From Southern Wyoming we dropped down into Colorado. We stuck to the roads we hadn’t traveled before and ended up at Green Mountain Reservoir where we spent some time on the gravel beach admiring the mountain views.
Green Mountain Reservoir in Colorado
Someone had pitched a tent for daytime shade.
A couple brought some shade with them to the beach!
The clouds looked promising, so we stuck around to see what kind of light show nature might bring. Sunset was a true winner!
Some clouds began to turn pink.
Wow!
.
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The people with the tent launched their kayak for a sunset cruise.
An evening cruise…
They came back ashore and packed up their tent, and then a gorgeous orange glow settled across the lake.
Fire and water.
It was startling to realize that summer was almost over. It was such a bittersweet feeling. We’d really enjoyed our travels this summer and had fallen right back into the RV lifestyle that we know and love so much. But we were excited to return home too.
Summer’s over?!
We met some folks along the way who told us about special places we’d never been before, and they got us excited thinking about future adventures. After a few weeks at home getting unpacked, getting organized and getting resettled, we began to talk about possible destinations for next year.
What fun — we can’t wait!
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Other blog posts from Wyoming:
- Finding Enchantment…in Encampment, Wyoming!
- Brooks Lake, Split Rock, Adventure Travelers + Wyoming Highlights!
- Grand Teton National Park – An American Treasure!
- Summer Fun in Wyoming’s Big Horn Mountains
- Bighorn Canyon – A River Runs Through It in Montana!
- Chief Joseph Scenic Byway – Mountain Majesty Near Yellowstone NP
- Wildflowers in Wyoming – Spring Showers Bring Spectacular July Flowers!!
- Beartooth Highway Scenic Drive – Dazzling All American Road – WOW!!
- 4th of July in Cody, Wyoming – The Cody Stampede Parade!
- RVing Wyoming – Lakes, Mountains and Waterfalls
- Wyoming Back Roads by RV – Rugged, Remote and Wild!
- Buffalo Wyoming – RVing Basque Style in the Bighorns!
- Buffalo Wyoming – Cowboys, Cowgirls and Sheriff Walt Longmire!
- Eastern Wyoming Small Towns – An RV Trip through Wyoming’s Quiet Side!
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- Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming – Stunning!
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That was a nice vicarious visit to a few out of the way places we have not explored. Thanks for lovely photos. It’s so nice to see Buddy back on the trails as well. Stewart
Thanks for coming along, Stewart! We really enjoyed seeing those out of the way places and want to go back for more. Buddy is a true kindred spirit for us too. He just loves exploring new places!
Such scenery….sharing this post with French friends who might be interested such as Anne Marie Sobel, my hostess in Paris, Anne Marie Sobel, and some of whom are photographers too: Jocelyne Letonnelier, my hostess in Trouville, in particular.
Enjoy returning “home”, a very special feeling for “rovers” such as you, Mark and Buddy.. Love, Mom
The scenery was fabulous and I know your friends will enjoy seeing pics of the American West. Traveling is such a thrill but coming home is really heartwarming . Now we’re going back and forth about how much time we want to spend at home versus exploring new places next year. What a wonderful quandary to be in! xoxo
What great location – and what a fantastic summer trip. Great shots too!!
Thanks, Steve! It’s hard to beat lakes and mountains for beautiful scenery. We’re so blessed to have the Rocky Mountains within a few days’ drive!!
Oh my goodness how beautiful!
Yes, indeed, Connie! We were so delighted to find these wonderful places!
Wonderful. My wife and I want to hit the roads when the kids get a little older. It’s so fun following your blog. I enjoy very much, thanks for sharing.
Thank you, David!! You put huge smiles on our faces! It’s really heartwarming to know our travels inspire you — thanks for reading. Life moves fast and you’ll be on the road living your own adventures before you know it!
Again thanks for taking us along. I am sure we’ll do some of those in our travels. I hope to take people along just like you three have done. Thank you enjoy the winter months
Our pleasure, Cheryl. It’s a beautiful world, and we all need a bit of an uplift and inspiration now and then. Sharing our adventures has been an essential and fulfilling part of our traveling life, and I’m sure it will be the same for you. We are loving our home too, though, and are looking forward to the changing seasons. Happy trails!