After our stop in Custer, WY, Mt. Rushmore, and the Badlands, the rest of our convoy moved on to Jackson Hole while Helen and I traveled to a lovely campground on the Wind River in Dubois, (pronounced Doo-Boy) WY. This four-day visit allowed our kids and grandkids some time with Austin’s (daughter-in-law) family at the base of the Grand Tetons before we arrived.
I love Jackson Hole, but I have no regrets whatsoever about stopping in Duboise. Our campsite backed right up to the Wind River and afforded a fantastic view of both the River and the Wind River Range. We parked Lucy under some large shade trees, pulled out the lawn chairs, and settled in. The only drawback is that the large shade trees are Cottonwoods–wreaked havoc with my allergies–but, that’s a minor detail.
Day two in Duboise offered spotty showers and the perfect day to explore downtown Duboise, a tiny village reminiscent of Townsend, Tennessee, in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. The first stop in Duboise was the local Thrift Shop, an activity Helen and I LOVE to do when visiting small towns. This extremely organized shop offered extensive selections of housewares, electronics, and clothing. I found a barely used Gerry Jacket for $15 that I needed because I did not pack a warm coat for the trip. Helen found a pair of Merrill Hiking Boots in her size, also $15. We left happy.
Next up was a visit to the Big Horn Sheep Interpretive Center at the edge of town. The area around Duboise serves as a refuge for Big Horn Sheep when they come down from the mountains in the winter. The Center features some excellent displays, although no live Big Horns live on the property.
Day three was a bit rainy as well, so we spent time giving Lucy a thorough cleaning, and Helen worked her magic, getting the cabinets and drawers organized. She did her usual outstanding job and even gave me an orientation after the task was complete. Now I know where everything is–and where I return stuff when finished with said stuff…or else.
On the final day in the area, we drove a short distance to the Whiskey Mountain Basin, the location of the Big Horn Refuge. The staff at the Interpretive Center told us that there was a small chance we would see some sheep before they moved to higher ground. We were hopeful, but the Big Horns were either well-hidden or at the top of the mountain. We saw only a few deer and some very big jackrabbits.
Nevertheless, the mountain scenery was extraordinary. I have posted pictures of the Wind River Range, the Whiskey Mountains, and photos of the scenic streams and lakes in the Basin. I don’t need to say much about them or the beauty of the area; you can judge for yourself. (Top, above, and below)
Not much else to say about the relaxing time we had here. We met a cute family from Franklin, Tennessee, in the site adjacent to ours, and friendly couple from Indianapolis, owners of an older model fifth-wheel similar to Lucy. They planned to upgrade and had some questions about our trailer. We gave them a tour. I heard them discussing a purchase as they walked away. We love Lucy, and I get a big kick out of showing her off.
That’s it for now. Come back next week, and we’ll take you to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone National Park.
Until we meet again…we’re just Easin’ Along.
Joe..what a terrific trip you and your family are taking! Thanks again for letting us tag along!
Good morning, Dynamo,
Glad to have you with us–it’s been a great ride so far. Y’all come back. Happy Fourth! Joe
Terrific area and so interesting to visit. Have been to Red Lodge Montana on eastern side of
Yellowstone. Little towns offer nice activities. Thanks for sharing.
Hi, Barbara,
We really enjoy the small towns, although Jackson Hole is a lovely place. Our next stop is West Yellowstone, MT. We are looking forward to exploring it thoroughly. Thanks for stopping by. Please come back. Joe
Hi, Joe – I am greatly enjoying following your travels. I’ll definitely be back to (virtually) visit Jackson Hole and Yellowstone National Park. Thank you for taking us along with you.
Good morning, Donna,
So glad you’ve joined us. We have had an awesome time in Jackson and have a lot to share. Although we have been here many times, I really feel like we have made the most of our time outdoors on this visit. I suppose that is why we enjoy the RV lifestyle so much. I have loved following your hikes also, and looking forward to the next one. Have a great week. Joe
Joe, I’m impressed with the thoughtful planning that allowed some private time for your fellow travelers to visit with your daughter-in-law’s family – very nice. The wide open spaces out west aren’t anything like the scenery at home, are they? Beautiful, too, but in such a different way. So glad Helen found her hikers, and at such a bargain price! I have no doubt those Merrells will serve her well in the adventures ahead. Travel safely!
Hi, Mary,
We thought we should share the grandchildren so we planned to drag our feet a bit while they spent time with the other set of grandparents. We missed them, but we had a lovely time in Dubois. The west is so beautiful and we really had no idea that Dubois would be this scenic…perfect weather as well. We’re in Jackson Hole now, and Montana after that. Those Merrells will come in handy. Please stay in touch! Joe
Joe, I never would have considered Dubois as a destination, but it looks very peaceful. All that careful planning and you forgot to pack a jacket? 🙂
Suzanne,
Yep, no heavy jacket! Forget bike helmets too, but we’re good now, thanks to the thrift shop and Walmart in Casper. Dubois is great for recouping. Have a good week, and thanks for stopping by. Joe
Gorgeous photos of this area, Joe! I hope to travel to Wyoming and beyond once we get moved north! Helen had the right idea. My hubby still doesn’t know where everything goes (“everything has a home”) after almost 4 summers and two winters in our trailer. Thanks for the gorgeous photos and the armchair tour!
Hi, Terri,
Thanks for the nice comments, but I had great material to work with–that area was so scenic. We just moved to West Yellowstone, MT after a very busy week in Jackson Hole. Our kids and grandkids are heading home so it’s just Helen and me for a couple of months. I’ll probably know where everything is by the time we get to Oregon. Thanks for checking in. I’m headed over to Sunday Stills to see what the challenge is. Have a great week! Joe