Tag: #solotraveller

Hillsboro Oregon

30 June 2018

Another stunning backdrop in this country. Diamond Peak

Disturbing.

I am in bear and Bigfoot land.

An important safety provision for drivers in this country are rest areas of which are impressive. The USA provides excellent areas for a restroom break for humans and four legged friends, to stretch your legs, have a picnic, a quick nap or a long one, drink and snack vending machines and travel brochures for the state you are in and bordering states. I should have taken photo is of others but this one is beautiful.

For my running friends, I took a slight detour to this spot (known as Pre’s Rock)in Eugene Oregon where Steve “Pre” Prefontaine died. Pre was a famous runner who held many records at the age of 19 and featured in Sports Illustrated and sadly died at 24. It fascinates me when I come across these shrines, and this one in particular, with medals and even Nike shoes people have offered in Pre’s memory more than 40 years after his passing.

Tonight I had a fantastic time at contra dancing. I did 16,000 steps 3.5 hours!! I had so much non stop fun I was annoyed that I forgot to film it.

However this YouTube clip sums it up and we actually have this dance in Sydney. I will be chasing this up when I get home.

On this trip I have been watching my rugby league games live on my phone. Tonight my NRL game was on at a civilised time (9pm here) instead of between 2am and 6am and I had to choose between it and dancing!! The State of Origin game will be on at 2am on 11 July. One good thing will be that it is after my dancing. Go Blues!!

Bend Idaho

29 June 2018

After a 6 hour drive to Bend I was quite tired but went out and enjoyed some line dancing at a typical country bar Maverick’s Country Bar and Grill.

Bend is a busy ski resort town in winter but at this time of year everything is very lush and green.

Brook Park has a river flowing through it, as do many of the towns I stop at. I love the trees here and again, the memorials for their servicemen always make me emotional.

Green Belt Idaho

28 June 2018

The Airbnb I am in Meridian Idaho is so comfortable I took it easy today. I went for a walk with my host, Denni, along the Green Belt of the Boise River.

We should have these bike tools and pump along our bike paths in Sydney.

I then went back to the Airbnb and lazed around the pool before going into downtown Boise for a last drink at The Balcony as I make my way to Portland tomorrow.

Boise Idaho

27 June 2018

Relaxed by the pool of my Airbnb in Meridian Idaho. I needed to soak up some of this glorious weather in Idaho.

I went for another walk downtown Boise and every Wednesday they have a free concert Alive After Five from 5pm to 8pm. This city certainly has a good vibe.

In the evening I enjoyed the entertainment of comedians at The World Series Comedy Liquid Laugh.

There were some mediocre comedians but one outstanding one was Gail Jones.

I meet people everywhere but Neica was another one I met in a bathoom (restroom) at the Liquid Laugh.

Neica you have the same surname as the comedian above. Good luck on Friday.

Idaho

26 June 2018

It was with a little sadness I left the haven in Pocatello. I got a good rest in a lovely home with beautiful peaceful landscape and interesting host.

There are so many treasures in this country and I then stumble upon Twin Falls, Idaho.

The Twin Falls video is here.

Down the road 16 minutes it just gets better. Shoshone Falls Idaho.

Next stop the Capital of Idaho, Boise. This town of 250,000 where you can get a gun licence easily and are permitted to walk around carrying as many guns as you want, but I have yet to see any. Below is the Capitol.

For dinner I had the most delicious paella at the Leku Ona. in the Basque Market area of Boise. I was fortunate to arrive during a festival with Basque dancers.

This city reminds me of Newtown/Surry Hills/San Diego with several trendy restuarants, modern buildings, lots of gay rainbow flags and lotsof people enjoying the balmy evening. Not what I would have expected from a small rural (hick ) town in Idaho but I got that wrong. I strolled the city and captured the sun setting in the west.

I found out about Gay Bingo when I discovered the best gay nightclub in Boise, The Balcony. It wasn’t very busy as it was a Tuesday night but even so this place has great atmosphere. I was disappointed I had missed out on Gay Bingo but had a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the company of Minerva Jayne’s, the host of bingo, after the show where we chatted for a couple of hours. Thank you Minerva Jayne for allowing me to “interview” you to learn about Idaho culture and your journey to become one of Idaho’s iconic entertainers.

Another great day.

Utah

25 June 2018

Salt Lake Ciity Utah is only 2.5 hours from Pocatello Idaho so I thought I would do a quick day drive south before I make my way north to Vancouver.

Utah is known for their Mormon (also known as Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints) population.

Temple Square is aptly named for the location of their grand Temple and gardens.

Down the road, The Lion House was built in 1856 for the second president of the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints, for his large family.

The Salt Lake City 2002 Olympic Cauldron is located next to the Utah University Stadium.

The main reason to visit Salt Lake City was to see the Salt Lake. I was given incorrect information and ended up at Antelope Island and this was an unexpected surprise. There is much to see on this island including a marina, bison, hundreds of bird species but I found the salt lake beautiful. This is not the salt lake that holds car races or the setting for the movie “Radio Flyer” which I thought I was visiting. That salt lake I will attempt to see at the end of my trip.

The white parts in the photos are not waves or sand but salt. The blue and white contrast was magnificent.

Pocatello Idaho

24 June 2018

After a 10 hour day driving around Yellowstone I found an airbnb with this spectacular view in Idaho. Idaho is famous for its potatoes and known as the Gem State.

The Sunhaus is an interestingly architecturally designed house with eco self heating. The views are what have captivated me to stay for a few days. Again I need a bit of a rest and will use Pocatello as a base. Pocatello has a population of around 55,000. Named after a Shoshoni leader, it is the 5th largest city in Idaho.

Old Town had a theatre built in the 1930s which burnt down and all that is left is the Chief signage and the mosaic tiles below.

They have the only Museum of Clean in the world. It was closed but I hope to give you a run down on Tuesday when I plan to visit.

This poster in a shop was fun.

North Dakota

20 June 2018

I was told there was nothing to see in North Dakota. The first stop was the Painted Canyon. After driving through fields of corn and flat prairie grasslands this is quite spectacular.

Then Theodore Roosevelt National Park has bison, prairie dogs, wild horses, gophers and foxes.

This is the cabin known as the Maltese Cross where Roosevelt spent a lot of his peaceful time set in the town of Medora in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Stopped the night in Glendive whose motto is Good people surrounded by Badlands.

A pretty mean sunset in the West.

Glendive Dinosaur Museum. This is for my Great Nephew Christian.

Yellowstone National Park

23 June 2018

This is where I stayed in Cooke City just 6 km (4 miles) from the East entrance of Yellowstone.

It’s embarrassing but all I knew about Yellowstone National Park was:

  • Yogi Bear and Boo Boo
  • Smokey the Bear
  • Grizzly bears
  • Lots of people visit

I did not realise this huge park:

  • Is set on a super volcano which has had some recent concerning activity.
  • Has 5 entrances
  • You can camp or stay in lodges or cabins in the park

Some tips which might be of interest:

  • The North East entrance area of Cooke City/Silvergate is a small community with buildings which require to be built with natural products to fit within the alpine landscape
  • When parking at Mammoth Springs go to the upper section up the road. Easier to park and a shorter walk.
  • The West City entrance is more commercial, and in my opinion, not as appealing and more expensive than the East side
  • I recommend entering Yellowstone from the East entrance. There are fewer tourists from that side
  • Even though there were many tourists I didn’t feel overwhelmed.
  • Highly recommend the drive from Red Lodge to Cooke City along the Beartooth Highway
  • Take binoculars
  • Take a chair and picnic to sit and watch the animals
  • Stop and ask people if they have seen animal activity
  • There are traffic jams when someone sights an animal and vehicles stop everywhere
  • Don’t drive too close to the vehicle in front as people people get excited and slam on their brakes when an animal is sighted

Visiting the Norris Geyser reminded me of my visit to the Kilauea volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii which recently erupted.

The Porcelain basin at Norris Geyser is picturesque although the smell of the gas is not pleasant.

This is an album of some of the many faces of Yellowstone.

Mount Rushmore/Crazy Horse/Deadwood South Dakota

19 June 2018

Yay!! I got to see the Presidents at Mount Rushmore!!

After 5 attempts over 3 days I had almost thought that I would miss out on this great wonder of the world. It was truly worth the wait. When I woke this morning the sun was shining. I couldn’t get out of the hotel fast enough praying that the fog wouldn’t roll back in. I was stuck in the entrance traffic and got this shot hoping that it wasn’t going to be my only one as the fog did come rolling in.

And then it cleared to the gorgeous picture at the beginning!! Another off my bucket list. This is truly a magnificent piece of art. 400 people worked on this sculpture financed by the Government, and not one person died on this dangerous project.

Then I went on to the Crazy Horse Memorial. The man who started this project, Korczak Ziolkowski, a sculptor, known as the storyteller in stone, was approached by Henry Running Bear to build a memorial “My fellow chiefs and I would like the white man to know that the red man has great heroes also”.

Korczak and his wife, Ruth, with their 10 children worked together and many of their 23 grandchildren still work on this project.

This project is funded totally by donations and tourists with the Foundation rejecting any government funding. Still has a long way to go.

Next stop was Deadwood South Dakota, famous for Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane.

The Saloon 10 where Wild Bill’s poker hand of a pair of 8s and Aces became known as “deadman’s hand” after he was murdered holding these cards.

Calamity Jane’s grave is next to Wild Bill’s as he had wanted.