Seattle to Utah

Hey all, So while we were on trek america we wrote some blogs that never made it to the net... here is the first. Sorry for the lack of photos, the internet here is on Fiji time. Just keep checkin flickr, we'll put some more on when we get to New Zealand in 3 days!

p.s what did you all do on Monday the 6th? For us the day disappeared totally as we crossed the international date line... weird or what! We want to live our lost monday through you guys!

Over the last week we've gone from having freezing cold weather to really hot down here in the desert. We've also been some amazing places and done some wicked things!

So lets start from the top! Seattle was kinda fun, Adam REALLY liked it, it had a really creative atmosphere and the Pike Place market was wicked! It probably helped that some of his fav photographers are based there too. We got to see the original starbucks and got a well needed thermos which was to become our best buddy over the next few days as the weather got colder and colder.

The next day we were off to Montana to stay on a cowboy ranch and do some horse riding. It was a great place, check out the pics! we lodged in cowboy lean-tos made of canvas... complete with some muddy bear prints leaning up on the window. We rode in the evening as the sun was setting on a small loop around the ranch. got a bit of a trot in but nothing too dramatic. Adam looked a little ridiculous on his 3 yr old ... having said that he didn't want a pansy ass horse... he got the smallest of the bunch! tehe. In the evening the ranch over did a cook out of spare ribs and we played pool and checkers in the barn with the new members of the group.

Then it was off to yellowstone, possibly one of the most beautiful places i have ever seen. We spent 2 days hiking around, seeing amazing waterfalls, golden plains, bison, elk deer and the hot springs. On the evening of the first day we went up to boiling river (sounds cool or what!), where a river and a hot-spring meet, creating a hot section of the river, we spent an hour swimming around in the hot water, carefully avoiding all the cold currents!. Next day we were off to see 'ol faithfull', who as promised went up in all his glory. Whilst hiking around this area we were chatting on the trail when about 10foot away a large rock stood up..... well a dirty great bison got up (at this point the warning signs stating to stay at least 50ft away from bison as they would 'gore you' came to mind as we backed away slowly!) he gave us one quick snort then walked off down the path.

Camping in yellowstone was essentially hell. no kidding, there was a 70% threat of snow (thank god the 30% won out!) but it did get down to -5c. so everything froze, beer, pens toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo (didnt know that could happen).

From yellowstone off to jackson, a cowboy town where we went white-water rafting, which was amazing! it was just like in the movies! the best bit was when Tess got to sit at the front for one rapid and the biggest wave threw here right back into the boat (hehe). Whilst here we went to the Grand Teton nation park, and did a morning hike up around jenny lake, it was like a blue mirror reflecting the mountains and trees, again one of the most beautiful places we have vistited. Here camping was just as bad, we had to leave at 6am (up at 5) as we packed up the tents were frozen, which made it even more fun!

Now we are in Utah (a dry state!) at arches nation park. Its amazing here, again the places we go keep getting better and better. Last night we hiked up to watch the sun set over delicate arch, the sunset mixed with the reds of the sandstone was amazing, looked just like a wild west movie!

hope you like the photos!

cya all later