Lazy morning, took Javi on a walk down a different part of the multi use path and found two tunnels with student artwork. There are some parts of the path that dogs can be off leash and when I let Javi off he went bounding down the path to a grassy lawn where he jumped and turned circles for joy. Love his enthusiasm!
We hiked to Goodwin lake today, though half the hike was actually on the road before we got to the trailhead. The road was not paved and we only got part way up before it became too rutted to proceed. The views of the Tetons were astounding and we listened to more of the audiobook The Rose Code, which helped as the road got steeper and more rutted. We watched off road vehicles whizz by (that looks like fun, may need to check it out!) and 4WD vehicles (and some that weren’t-yikes!) navigate the crazy road. When we got to the trailhead we made friends with some little boys who were waiting for those parents to finish getting ready to hike. They loved Javi and Otto, the older one, picked wildflowers for both of us!
The trail was a steady uphill but shady in most parts and just gorgeous. We saw the biggest mushrooms ever-on the way back we spied one as big as my head! We were wiped out by the time we got to the lake, having had to walk twice as far as we had anticipated and the temps had gone up. Diving in the lake was heaven, reminded me of family reunions at Lake Wenatchee in Washington, another snow fed lake that was very cold. Actually, Goodwin Lake was a lot like Lake Kirkwood, though only a few campsites nearby, no cabins. We sat on the granite slope and had lunch, Javi peeking over our shoulders the whole time looking for a handout. He still had energy to bounce all over. The food and dunk in the lake helped revive our energy and we headed back down-which was easier in some ways than going up, though harder on 50+ knees, thank goodness for hiking poles! Listening to the last part of The Rose Code got us through the tedious final portion of the road hike and we were all so happy to see the car!
We weren’t sure were up for evening plan of going to the rodeo but after showers and dinner we headed out. Even though the rodeo grounds were only a mile out so away we decided to drive, figuring we had done enough walking for one day. Unlike in the Bay Area, parking was free and we found a spot without much work (afterwards we were amazed at how quick and easy it was to get out of the parking lot even though it was full-again very different from the Bay Area! This WAS my first rodeo and I really got into it. It reminded me of high school football games-cheering crowds, unintelligible announcers, people of all ages, 80s music and young men doing things that would almost definitely lead to injury, while the young women showed their skill and dexterity. The barrel racing was my favorite, those women were incredible!
I was never so happy to get in bed and know that tomorrow was totally open. Whew-I need a rest!