OT: Western US Travel

[teeroy_b]

Some old friends of ours are leaving in a week for a Great Western Road Trip. They'll be in our neck of the woods in 2 weeks and will stay a couple of nights with us. I'm busy planning a couple of hikes now. It's already smoky here from wildfires near and far, so I think we'll forego the hikes with "vista" payoffs and do a couple of hikes with "up close" payoffs. "Up close" payoffs like these alpine lakes in the Tobacco Root Mountains aren't diminished much by a smoky haze in the air.

Hollow Top Lake

Louise Lake

What's amazing is as beautiful as those photos are, it still doesn't do it justice.

 

[cockhornleghorn]

Crater Lake

 

[BorisSutherland]

We had a great couple of days spent at Yellowstone! You feel in some places like you're on another planet. This summer, the west has been struggling with significant heat and drought conditions, making for lower visibility, but we still made the most of our time and enjoyed the beauty of this park. A worthwhile trip! Until the summer is over, my family wants us to go to Niagara Falls. I talked to some friends, and they suggested a tour organized by tourstoniagarafalls.com. I hope we have a great time, and I will also upload pictures.

 

[FORKCOCK]

Two years ago, while on business, I drove from Portland, OR to Toledo, OR. Wow, beautiful country.