Well, I'm finally getting our trip report written for this year's summer flying trip. Hope you enjoy!

This year's trip went a little differently. Since Adam had School until Friday, we weren't able to leave until mid afternoon that day. By that time, word of the accident at JC had reached us and we were saddened to hear that friends of ours were involved. With word that the strip was closed, we still launched with the plan to over fly JC just in case it was open, and if it wasn't, we would head to Big Creek since that's where we were headed for breakfast the next morning anyway. We ended up with two other parties in the camp ground with us that night.

The next morning, we enjoyed a great breakfast put on by the IAF. It is great to see them working on getting the lodge rebuilt! We also saw many of our friends who came over from JC for breakfast. This also let us know that the strip was open. So after breakfast, we broke camp and headed over to JC, where we were able to get a nice spot next to the Heiners from Afton.

The next couple of days we enjoyed seeing old friends, meeting new ones, and just being back at JC...even if it was way too hot! The kids enjoyed the usual rock throwing at the river, frisbee and baseball on the strip, movies on the iPad, and on Sunday, some ice cream left behind from the potluck. It felt great on the hot afternoon, so thanks to whoever left it! Sunday evening we did something new for the kids. We headed up after dinner to the tub. They did great on the hike and enjoyed a bath backcountry style.

Monday, we headed over to Smiley Creek to spend the night. Last Fall I took Adam there for lunch and showed him the tepees. All winter long he asked when we were going to go sleep in one. So, we decided that it would be fun to do. We got there, checked in, and grabbed the courtesy car from SC to go spend the day at Alturas Lake. If you've not used the cars before, it is $5 per day plus .30 cents per mile. SC requires you to fill the tank, but credits the gas towards your bill. A receipt is required.

We had over flown the lake on the way in and spotted a nice day use area ($5) on the west shore. It has a nice beach and picnic tables. We had it to ourselves at first, but it soon got really popular. The water is shallow and great for swimming.

Back at the Smiley Creek Lodge, we enjoyed a yummy huckle berry shake. Later, we fixed dinner in the tepee and Dee found some hula hoops for everyone to play with.

The tepees are $45 per night. They have wood floors in them and the beds have electric blankets on them. There are different tables in them as well for putting your stuff on...or in our case, for kids to sit on or play games on. There is plenty of space to throw out sleeping pads and bags...and it is fine by them the lodge if you do that. It was a fun experience and we all enjoyed it. Although we didn't eat there this time, the food at the lodge is great and not over priced.

Tuesday, we packed up and headed to Jerome for $5.15 fuel, then headed east to West Yellowstone. This was our first time camping at WYS. It was very nice. Upon arrival, the gal from the FBO answered our call and told us that she would meet us down at the camp ground to park us. I heard he tell another aircraft that she'd call Avis and let them know that they were about to land and would be ready for their car. Great service!

Once parked, we used the provided carts to haul our gear to the site. Picnic tables, logs around the fire pit, bikes (although we didn't use them), and a shower (which we also didn't get a chance to use). Some fellow campers told us that apparently the EPA found higher than normal arsenic levels in the camp water, so the Montana Division of Aeronautics was providing a water cooler on the porch of the FBO, so that was our water source. Once settled in, we caught a ride in with the lady from the FBO to get a few things from the grocery store.

Wednesday, I got up and walked over to Avis, 5 minutes if that, at the terminal building to get our rental car for the day. It was very convenient. Soon we were on our way into the park to see the sights. It was warm there too, so there weren't a lot of animals to be seen, but we enjoyed Old Faithful and the waterfalls. It had been several years since we had been and it was good to be back.

Back in West Yellowstone, we had dinner and then went into town to do some laundry. Town is just over 2 miles, so you could bike it if you needed to. The laundry facility has free, fast wifi and showers. Also, the FBO also has good wifi. Once done, we headed back to the airport. Another thing to be aware of is that if you have a rental car, you can drive it out by the campsite but only if the FBO is open. If they are closed, you'll have to park it outside the gate. To gain access to the ramp, there is a walk through gate. Also, there are more carts there in case you need to haul something to your campsite.

Early the next morning, the 4th of July, we were awoken by the sound of wolves howling very nearby. Despite the airport parameter fence being around the campground, that still makes my hair on the back of my neck stand up! We broke camp, packed up and headed south to meet up with Dee's parents in Alpine, WY. On the way we took a detour over the Park as well as the Jackson Hole area to fly along the Tetons. I'd never done either in GA aircraft and it was beautiful! In Alpine, we enjoyed their 4th of July parade and spending time at the cabin. The kids enjoyed hunting for snails along the road and playing with Grandma and Grandpa. After a few days there with side trips back to Yellowstone as well as southern Idaho for ice cream, we had a fairly quick hour and change flight back to Ogden. A little over 10 hours of flying for the week.

Despite the very somber start to the trip, we had an enjoyable time and a great week. We definitely had more patience with the kids and just held them a little closer and cherished the time with them. This was also the first long trip in the 205 and we loved it. It is so far proving to be a perfect fit for us.

Here's a little video of the week. Enjoy!

Your trip reports make me excited about the years to come. Thanks for taking the time to share your memories with us (I loved the video).

Great TR Cory, I enjoyed that.

Matt are you going to try and time the next kid so he doesn't interfere with Johnson Creek? I recommend making the baby at Johnson Creek that way the Youngin is born in March and doesn't have to have his birthday during Christmas or any other holidays.

Just sayn

The video won't work for me

Not sure what is up. Here is the link:

http://youtu.be/KT-QOuJJHjo

Excellent video and family fun together. This is what it is all about. Building memories for time and eternity.

Fun video. Where was the wigwam you stayed in? My wife isn't big on camping anymore, but they seemed to provide the compromise that could get us together in the woods again...

Cory, thanks for the great TR and video. I also had to use the second link.

I like all the places you went, and if Alpine had not become a "lifestyles of the rich and famous" destination, I would have a hangar-home there!

Great family memories, much better than in a suburban!!

Flyhound wrote:Fun video. Where was the wigwam you stayed in? My wife isn't big on camping anymore, but they seemed to provide the compromise that could get us together in the woods again...

It's at Smiley Creek. I believe that Mackey Bar has some too, but I don't know their set up inside. SC is a nice setup with the comfortable beds and electric blanket. They also have little cabins too and they won't break your bank!

Oso Loco wrote:Cory, thanks for the great TR and video. I also had to use the second link.

I like all the places you went, and if Alpine had not become a "lifestyles of the rich and famous" destination, I would have a hangar-home there!

Great family memories, much better than in a suburban!!

Thanks Cal. I'm not sure what is up with the original link. I know a while back the embedded ones stopped working on my iPad. Zane says nothing changed on the site as it just directs it to YouTube.

For Star Valley, I hear you. We were tempted to buy a lot on Heiner's strip, but it would have been that (with a partner) or a plane. And years before we could build. A plane made more sense! And we are loving it!

We are lucky Dee's family have a cabin up there that we can use!