From one extreme to another

***Miles travelled today: 314

***Total Miles: 5443

***States travelled through: Stayed in Wyoming

Having left Casper this morning (by 07h30 !!!!!), we decided we'd stop by the 'IHOP' for breakfast ('International House of Pancakes' - none of this healthy granola and yoghurt stuff today).....They were so BIG that we each needed a 'take-out' box which was great as it doubled up for lunch between us ! Anyway, we were soon on our way as we had mileage to cover.

What we didn't know is that the scenery would be so vast in its appearance and it's temperature. En route to Jackson, the town at the bottom of the Grand Teton National Park (a mountain range that is part of the Rockies); we passed the flat plains of Wyoming where boredom set in and brain dysfunction occurred. These plains were endless, but had the occasional dilapidated and deserted restaurant along the side of the road (hence our first pic). By mid-morning, the scenery had begun to change and we passed through an area called 'Hell's Acre' where it looked similar to the Badlands, but on a minor scale. Native Americans used to drive their Buffalo here in order to slaughter them. We watched a couple of climbers making their way towards a cave and had we not been pressed for time (and dressed appropriately for canyoning), I'm sure I would've been able to twist Linz's arm into trying it out (Linz is sitting here saying, " I don't Think so!")

As an aside, we discovered this 'Country/Soft Rock Music Station' and it certainly makes country music sound good, especially as we are singing at the top of our voices as we are road-triping across the 'land'. The 'land' appeared quite magical as it changed it's colour and form (if you didn't know rocks/mountains could morph themselves, well, they do in Wyoming!) Although we haven't included all the pics, there was a kaleidoscope of red, purple, orange and yellow - all set against the blue sky which met the green grass in the distance. Added to this vista, we could see the snow-capped Rockies in the distance. Beautiful.

We're exploring Grand Teton tomorrow and so the pics taken today of the Tetons, won't be uploaded as we'll have loads to share with you tomorrow and the next day. We think the best bit of today was finding a lake, seriously off the beaten track that rested in the valley of the mountains.....we couldn't quite believe there was still snow on the ground in June and much of the lake was still frozen. The snow was a perfect cooler for the Bud Light Limes that Linz has taken a liking to and the backdrop, a perfect place to have our picnic ! This spot has to be one of the most picturesque places we have seen.

We're now in Jackson and arrived too late for a rodeo so shall catch up on much needed sleep.

By, the way - we also saw a falcon swoop down in-front of the car but we don't have a pic for you cos it didn't stop !

Susie - you need to find a place called JACKSON on your map (and we'll be scouting for moose, elk and bald eagles tomorrow)