October 30, 2008, Rexburg, ID to Richfield, UT

We arrived in Rexburg, Idaho at the home of our son Jeffery, wife Kristi and family a little past noon time on Wednesday, Oct 29, completing our 58 day journey across America. It was so good to be with our dear family Idaho family once again.

We found ourselves treated to Kristi's chicken an dumplins, fresh garden salad and hot apple pie just out of the oven at supper time.

We also found ourselves invited with the family to a Halloween live stage production at the University, starring the twins of the family, Adele in one play and then Jacob in another. What a treat to be there for these performances. Both did so well! They both have their father's talent for drama and wonderful stage presence!

I meant to take their pictures while they were in costume but I had left the camera battery in a charger back at the house, so no luck!

After a breakfast of waffles, bacon, OJ, and hot oatmeal we saw all members of the busy family off to work and school (including Kristi, who takes a World Religions class two days a week), and departed on our journey home to Arizona around 11 a.m.

The weather remains very mild for this time of year in Idaho and Utah with temperatures in the high 70s.

We stopped in Springville for an early supper and made contact with Terry's brother Lance at his place of employment, Neways, nearby and had a great visit before continuing on down the road. We stopped for the night in Richfield.

This is Mount Nebo, near Nephi, Utah on our way down the I-15.

Day 58, Wed, Oct 29, Jackson Hole, WY to Rexburg, ID

You enter Idaho shortly after clearing the summit of Teton Pass. The road drops down, down, down into the Teton Basin country on the west side of the mountain range. After driving through the small communities of Victor, Driggs and Tetonia the Route 33 turns and heads directly west toward Rexburg.

This is the view looking back toward the Teton mountains from Rt. 33 as it leaves the Teton Basin.

Today, Wednesday, October 29, is the final day of our journey across America. We left Jackson Hole, Wyoming this morning, taking Route 22 west over Teton Pass (8,431 ft.) on our way to Rexburg, Idaho where this trip started on September 2, 2008. This is our 58th day of travel. What a special experience it has been for us!

Linda took this picture as we headed up the Teton Pass from Jackson.

Day 57, Tues, Oct 28, Riverton to Jackson Hole, WY

As we entered Jackson Hole after leaving the Park we noticed a number of places where western art was on display. Jackson is obviously a tourist attraction in a major way.

These two pieces caught our eye and we include them as representative of the art inspired by the Grand Teton mountain range, its great variety of wildlife and the native Americans who resided here long before the white man.

Another view of the Teton range, taken from US 26 as we drove through the Park towards Jackson, Wyoming, our destination for the night.

The Tetons are young when compared with most of the other parts of the Rocky Mountain range. Geologists say they emerged through gigantic upheaval in the earth's surface some 9 million years ago. Massive ice glaciers during the most recent ice age helped to carve the peaks and crevices over many thousands of years. There are permenant glaciers on the Grand Teton peak shown here.

Linda noticed mist gathered between the peaks and we surmised that it must be wind blown snow swept up between these jagged, towering pillers of rock. What a sight!

The major peak on this Teton range is the Grand Teton, rising to an altitude of 13, 770 feet. The Snake River winds through the valley on the east side of the mountains.

The creation of the Grand Teton National Park preserves this wonder of nature for ourselves and our posterity to enjoy. Wild game roam free here, including deer, bear, elk, antelope, moose, buffalo, wolves, the bald eagle and mountain lion to name a few.

As we gained elevation, crossing the Continental Divide and drew nearer to the Grand Teton National Park the terrain changed dramatically. We began to see the majestic peaks of the Teton mountain range off to the south and west. Each mile brought a differing and facinating view. We stopped at all the scenic overlooks as we entered the Park and continued south toward Jackson, taking picture after picture.

As you can see the day was bright and clear, and although we were at well over 9,000 feet the temperatures were in the 60s as the day wore on. It was a beautiful day!