Freedom Day Parade

We started  the Indepence Day Holiday with a Freedom Day Parade in our little valley. I love home town parades...they are not fancy...the people in the parade are local and the message is “let’s celebrate and have fun.” Can it get better than that.

The old and unusual cars made an appearance. There were 3 old Fords...a 1928, 1929 and 1930...all cuter than cute. An old Fiat and a 1957 Chevy BelAir rolled down Main Street. There was a huge Search and Rescue vehicle too. 

We had dancing dinosaurs, dancing girls and stuffed horses too. Like I said, you gotta love home town parades.

But these were not the stars of the parade. We had to wait till the very end to see the ...              

Budweiser Clydesdale’s Horses. 

I have no desire to own a horse, but I do like looking at these beautiful steeds.

           

The crowd cheered these great horses as well as their dalmation mascots. 

Now you can see the mascots riding in the wagon. 

What a great way to kick off Independence Day.

Fountain Falls

On a back water portion of the Snake River in Idaho there’s a waterfall that might not win international prizes for height or water volume...but it will win a prize for being unique, beautiful, and off the beaten path. 

The road to Fountain Falls is narrow, unpaved and not well traveled. There are no signs pointing to Fountain Falls...and if you don’t know where to look, you will miss this little wonder of the world.

When the water is high, as it is now, the falls are full...so if you try to find them, go in high water season.

Hidden in the verdant undergrowth, Fountain Falls are definitely worth your time.

 

The Park

In Wyoming, there are 2 parks—Yellowstone and Grand Tetons. “The” Park generally means Yellowstone...but to me, The Park means The Tetons. 

And to me, the prettiest view in the Tetons is Mt. Moran at the Oxbows of the Snake River. Eye Candy at it’s best!                           

Mt. Moran is not the tallest peak in the range, but I feel it’s the most dramatic. We visited The Park on Monday with our friends from Tennessee — a glorious day where perfect weather and friendship melded together for a good time!

Yet another view of Moran from Colter Bay. I can look at that mountain all day and never tire of it’s beauty.

There are two chapels in the Park...this is a Tiffany window in the Catholic Chapel while...                        

This is the view from the Episcopal Chapel of the Transfiguration. Both are fantastic wedding venues but the line is long to get a date in either chapel. Plan ahead if you want to get married in either of the chapels at the Park.

It’s been a good wildflower year. Arrowleaf Balsamroot are seen everywhere....but...                  

There was lots of purple Gentian...

Some tiny blue mountain forget-me-nots...

Butter and Eggs

And of course, wild rose. It was a great day in the Park with our friends!

 

 

A Drive Down the Greys

 

 

The Greys is a wild river that eventually flows into the Snake River. Before the confluence of the two rivers there’s a wonderful drive thru pristine mountains and quiet meadows.

The gateway to the river 

...that snakes through the valley.

Wild Geraniums

Deep Red Wild Rose

Yellow Salsify peeks through the grasses ready to be picked for salsify tea

Scarlet Gilia or Skyrocket (a member of the phlox family) decorates the meadow here and there

The Three Spot Lillies are early but always welcome.

Mountain vetch creeps down the valley 

       

An Alpine Lantern “lights” the way

 

Blue Flax 

 

Arrowleaf Balsamroot Daisies are the most common flower in the meadow

As we left the Greys River Valley we bid goodbye to the Bear Grass and the other lovely wildflowers. What a day!

 

 

Lavender Dilly

Another Project Linus blanket. I’ve been calling it Lavender Blue...    

Dilly Dilly. I like the edging around the blanket—that’s a new design feature for me. 

The other DrC thinks it looks like a modern Navajo rug.

Siberian Wallflower

This is a Siberian Wallflower and it’s another “new to me” wildflower.

Most wildflowers are annuals, blooming every year, but the Siberian Wallflower is a biennial, blooming every other year. It’s first year is devoted to building a strong root structure and the second year is devoted to sending forth flowers and of course seeds, so the cycle can continue. This bright orange flower thrives in cold conditions, hence it’s name. It’s not from Siberia.

 I wonder why I’ve not seen this orange beauty before today? 

Early June Wildflowers

I love wildflowers and right now they are just beginning to bloom. I saw lupine today all pretty and purple. 

There are 2 wild geraniums that bloom...we only get the Bicknell variety which is a pretty pink. While the wild geranium is not as showy as the domestic flower, it has a lot of class.       

The coneflower is spending a lot of energy producing huge green leaves.      

I don’t even see a bud for the flower, but give it a couple of weeks, at it will appear.

The vinca is not a wildflower. I planted several flats of vinca 17 years ago with the hope they would spread all over the garden. They have not spread but they have survived and they do put out a pretty flower most of the summer. Flax and wild rose should appear soon.

 

 

 

 

New To Me

I have a dilemma...I don’t know this wildflower. I’m very familiar with the wildflowers of my little valley in western Wyoming...but this year, I’ve discovered a new to me flower. Can you help me identify it.

This illusive bell shaped flower grows in a rocky field at about 6200 feet. The blooms are whitish with a tinge of beige-pink. 

The flowers point toward the sky. They have brownish centers. The leaves are thin and grass-like. I walk past this field every day during the summer, and I’ve not seen it before. I’m curious as to what to call this mountain bloom. 

Late Spring Snow

There’s still a little bit of snow, albeit not ski-able, in the high country. The mountains in back of home are about 9000 feet tall

...and still have more than a smattering of snow.

...but everyday the sun shines, the snow is melting away. Needless to say, the rivers are higher.

It’s not a good time to go whitewater rafting on the Snake River as there’s a lot of danger in fast moving icy cold water.