New York/Las Vegas

Where has the time gone. Since my last posting, I left Montana, spent some time in north/central Idaho, and then traveled to Las Vegas, NV, via Wells, Ely and Caliente.
I did get to the "strip" a couple of times to see some of the glitter. I also visited "old" Las Vegas and saw a show with Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr, and Frank Sinatra impersonators.
I left Las Vegas about a week ago, with most of my money, and came to Lake Havasu City, AZ. I left Montana to avoid the cold and snow and got here for some heat. The day time temperatures have been in the high 90s. I have not done anything too exciting. Just hanging out. Even Sami doesn't want to do too much in the heat.
Regards, Gus

Young Eagle in Yellowstone

This young eagle was taking flying lessons recently on the Madison River in Yellowstone NP. The mother was sitting on top of a tree watching the young eagle as he made a short flight and a less than graceful landing. He rested quite a while before attempting another flight.
Happy Trails, Gus

West Yellowstone

Recently, I visited Yellowstone National Park. I did not see any Grizzly Bears in the park, but I did meet this one at the Grizzly Discovery Center, and some real Grizzlies in the Center. I did see several eagles and lots of bison and elk in Yellowstone. Even for September there were lots of visitors to the park.
From Yellowstone I went to Bozeman to see Vic and Mary Dalla Betta, and then to Missoula to see Zack Irwin.
Now I am in Kamiah, ID, next to one of the Nez Perce National Historical Parks. This is also a place where Lewis and Clark spent some time going to the west coast and on their return trip.
Happy Trails! Gus

Promontory Summit, Utah

Yesterday, I felt like it was May 10, 1869. I had the opportunity to visit the site where the Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroads met to complete the transcontinental railroad. The replicas of the two locomotives were operating and the area doesn't seem to have changed in 140 years. (However, rockets used for space travel are tested less than 10 miles from here.) The first photo shows Engine #119 of the Union Pacific.
Here in the second photo is a replica of the Jupitper, the Engine representing the Central Pacific Railroad.






In this third photo, I am sitting in for the Engineer on the Jupiter.
Hope you have a enjoyable Labor Day.
Regards, Gus

Blue Mesa

This is where I have been living the last week. The campground is located 12 miles west of Gunnison, CO, near Blue Mesa Reservoir.

Regards, Gus

Black Canyon of the Gunnison River

I had a great time the other day driving around Blue Mesa Reservoir and along the rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison River. This is a beautiful stretch of the Gunnison River before it flows toward Grand Junction and into the Colorado River.
The reservoir stretches about 20 miles and is part of the Curecanti National Recreation Area. There are lots of fishing and camping opportunities in the area for summer time recreation and of course is close to Crested Butte for skiing in the winter.
Warmest regards, Gus

An Osprey in Gunnison, CO

While driving past the airport in Gunnison, CO, recently, I noticed an Osprey flying over the runway. This Osprey had two engines and wings that rotated!
I guess the pilot was performing some tests, as the plane/helicopter never got more than 50 feet off the ground and it was being followed by a vehicle on the ground. In the second photo, notice the "tilt" of the wing to enable the plane to move forward on the ground. I never did see it fly like a plane.
The large "W" on the mountain in the background is purported to be the largest college insignia in the world. It represents Western State College of Gunnison. Western State has a very nice campus with lots of new construction and remodeling.

Warmest regards, Gus