Wyoming in Pictures (1st road test for the Van!)

 In Sept' 22, after 20 months of building the camper van, it was time for the first road trip test. Hee yah !

 

 Wyoming was the playground, and testing the van was the excuse to take on board all the biking, climbing and hiking gear. Everything went spiffy. More on that trip's Good-Bad-Ugly from a van build perspective in the build thread.

 The 1st stop was in Vedauwoo, with a great auspicious sign !

Road 222 on the way to Vedauwoo WY

Vedauwoo WY

Wyoming from a ridge, looking SW. Vedauwoo WY

 

 The 1st night in the van was uneventful. Still can't believe that the bed elevator worked so great. After catching some z's, the next destination was Lander WY and its great cliffs for climbing.

 Beautiful scenery everywhere in Southwest Wyoming. Well, almost...

Rawlins WY

 

Fossil Hill cliffs, Sinks Canyon, Lander WY

Dirt road 352 in the background (loop from Fossil Hill via 352-354-300)

Aspen tree colors (intentional camera movement)

One of the many ponds on dirt road 354 before hitting the Louis Lake road, WY

 

 Had such a cozy time in the van, loved it ! As everything was still going well, it was decided to test things at higher and colder altitudes. So, direction Big Sandy Campground near Boulder / Pinedale to go hike the Cirque of the Towers.

Lots of mines and quarries in WY ! (road 28 from Lander)

Often met curious locals on Wyoming's backroads

Landers Cutoff dirt road to Big Sandy campground WY

 

 The Wyoming's Southwest is absolutely gorgeous. Lot of streams, ponds, meadows fed by the mountains. Gentle rolling hills with beautiful pastures. Lakes dotting the landscaping, connected by wildlife sustaining streams. Cattle rounded by cowboys on horses. Beautiful, peaceful scenery and open public land everywhere as soon as one wanders off the well traveled roads.

From Big Sandy campground WY

one of the lakes above Big Sandy lake, before Jackass Pass (trail 7099 WY)

Cirque of the Towers (Big sandy WY)

Big Sandy lake WY

 

 It was a gorgeous hike. Need to come back and explore these mountains some more.

 Got a bit cold in the van since it is set up for Summer right now. No electric heater, and the doors' insulation and paneling are still not done. But nothing that more blankets and jackets can't fix for now. So, onward to the Grand Tetons !

Grand Tetons (from Toppins Lake road)

Grand Tetons (from Toppins Lake road)

 

Fog over the Grand Tetons valley

Prospector Mountain (?) on the way to Moran Junction (Grand Tetons WY)

 

 The weather turned from great to days of rain. So, gone was the planned hike to the Middle Teton. Instead, Yellowstone here we come !

Bystander in Yellowstone...

Mammoth Springs, Yellowstone

Mammoth Springs, Yellowstone

Mammoth Springs, Yellowstone

Mammoth Springs, Yellowstone

Mammoth Springs, Yellowstone

Sun reflections. Mammoth Springs, Yellowstone

Mammoth Springs, Yellowstone

Mammoth Springs, Yellowstone

Mammoth Springs, Yellowstone

 

Mammoth Springs, Yellowstone

Mammoth Springs, Yellowstone

Mammoth Springs, Yellowstone

Mammoth Springs, Yellowstone

Mammoth Springs, Yellowstone

Mammoth Springs, Yellowstone

Mammoth Springs, Yellowstone

Mammoth Springs, Yellowstone

 

 Boy, what a festival of colors and shapes. These bacteria and micro organisms make a surprising job of creating intriguing and lush tapestries. Had I had more than a few hours in the park, all my camera memory cards would have been maxed out 😂 Will have to come back for at least a week and splurge...

  Alas, after more than a week on the road it was time to head back home to finish and winterize the van. Can't wait to go on longer trips.

 Absolutely love the freedom that comes from being able in a matter of minutes to stop and sleep almost anywhere. Frees up so much time every day for more hiking, biking, photography... Always go go go. Splendid !

On the way South to Dubois WY

Dubois WY

Dubois WY

 The National Museum of Military Vehicles recently opened in Dubois. It is an incredible experience. What a treat to get a tour from actual veterans and hearing first hand stories. Highly recommended.

 Look how mighty the Transit van looks next to these formidable machines. Nothing to be ashamed of !

National Museum of Military Vehicles, Dubois WY

 

 No qualms about it, this 1st road trip was a smashing success !

 Got hooked on the nimble and highly comfortable van life 🍹

 Next stop ? Ouray, this coming January, for the Ice Climbing Festival. Am already trepidating !