EAST OUT OF YELLOWSTONE - WHAT GOES UP MUST GO DOWN

July 15, 2013

Time to move on to see what is east of Montana.  This is the first day that we are traveling to new territory for both of us.  We have visited Yellowstone before but never farther east than Fishing Bridge.  Today we are explorers.

EAST YELLOWSTONE - Our route from West Yellowstone will take us back through Madison, Norris, Canyon, and Fishing Bridge (Upper part of the Grand Loop).  Challenge for the day is Sylvan Pass, 8537 ft.   As Ray says:  "Its easy to pull the trailer up the pass but its coming down is the challenge."  Evidently brakes and transmissions get hot and we have a heavy trailer (14,000 lbs).

We left early in the morning and had a pleasant ride on the upper part of the Grand Tour road.  Look what we found along the Yellowstone River.

 Couldn't help ourselves, had to take a couple of more pics even though we know there will be plenty of bison in our future.

The little kids eyes in the tour car were huge.  They were surrounded by bison.  Does it get any better?

Passed Yellowstone Lake.  Didn't realize how large the lake was.  The wind was not blowing this morning and it was beautiful.

There are remains of the burn from 25 years ago throughout the park.  The fire went to the lake in this area.  Its interesting to see what a forest looks like without reforestation efforts that we typically see after a fire.

SYLVAN PASS -  The ride up was great.  Beautiful views and easy conversation.  Then the first sign that we might be going downhill...and it was quiet in the cab.   Ray's plan was to take it nice and easy and pull out often.  Plan worked beautifully.  Traffic was light so he went down the pass about 33 mph.  

We would have other 5th wheels and trailers pass us and then we would go a little farther and there they would be cooling down their brakes/transmissions.  I wondered if they thought Ray knew something they didn't...









Made it to East Entrance and there was a 5th wheel just like ours entering the park.

TOURIST TIME IN DOWNTOWN WEST - West Yellowstone that is

July 12, 2013

Friday was a good day.  I'm finally feeling better and Ray suggests we check out West Yellowstone shops.  I'm up for a walk to downtown West (as the locals call it).

There is a walking historic tour through town and we decided this would be our launching pad for our day.  First stop was the Union Pacific Dining Lodge.  This building was completed in 1925.  It was used by UP until 1960 when they discontinued service to Yellowstone.  On the day we were there it was being prepped for a wedding.  We got a chance to peek in and see the craftsmanship.  Beautiful.




Next stop was the Union Pacific Depot - it is the oldest building still standing in West Y.  It is now a museum...and gift shop.  Had the neatest quilting squares with old Yellowstone post cards stamped on them...but I don't quilt.






Behind the UP building is Kelly's motel.  We noticed bears checking out the rooms...too cute.









The wildflowers continue to bloom.  We are always enjoying the color of the variety of flowers we have seen so far on our adventure.  Ray found these beside the UP museum.

Back to the tour.  #1 on the list was the UP Pylon.  This shield is placed near the eastern boundary of UP property.  The patriotic colors and 13 stripes honored the Pacific Railroad Act of 1862 signed by Abe Lincoln.  This took us awhile to find because we assumed the entrance to the park was on Canyon.  After we got straightened out, the walk was easy and fun.  BTW - we're not good at Geocache so it wasn't a big surprise that we were turned around.

 VERY EXPENSIVE PHONE CALL

We started checking out the shops on Canyon.  Gift shops, fly fishing, tee shirts and then a camera store.  Ray wanted to see about batteries so we went into the camera store.  I received a call from my friend Marcia and stepped outside to chat.  So much more fun than shopping in a camera store with Ray.






Ended the call and stepped into the store to find Ray.  Look what he needed for taking of pics of big animals in Yellowstone.  A new lens.  That was an expensive phone call.   We also found out that West Yellowstone has sales tax.  Montana doesn't but West does - so add $36 to the bill.

I hunted high and low for something I needed - look what I found.  They were fresh out of the oven and we have room in the trailer for them.

We walked back to the trailer with our treasurers.  Ray sat on the picnic table with his new lens and checked out the instructions, etc. -- next thing I see is Ray and his lens flying into the trailer.  The park was testing the sprinklers by our space. LOL







TRUCK RETURNED FROM SHOP

When we were hit by the rock between Ketchum and Stanley, we thought all that needed repaired/replaced was the windshield.  We discovered the right rear panel of the pickup was also damaged, probably by a mile marker when we were getting off the road.  We really do not know how the dents got there.

Contacted Westgate Autobody and they agreed to repair the truck by Friday.  Ray picked it up all fixed.  Thanks Dave and everyone that stepped up and got the job completed in such a short time.

Tomorrow a trip to Yellowstone to try out the new lens.

ITSY BITSY SPIDER CLIMBED UP MY LEG - Welcome to West Yellowstone

July 10, 2013

We have been traveling for two months now.  Arrived in West Yellowstone yesterday with two items on our agenda:  1) Have the truck repaired and 2) Find medical clinic.  For the first item we had made arrangements a week ago with the auto body repair shop but the need for a medical clinic was new.

Spider Bite

Evidently, I slept with a spider last week and it loved my leg.  We knew there was a possibility of needing medical assistance on the road but we put that low on our list of worries.  Ray and I had visited our physician several times before we took off and knew we were in good health - take or minus a few pounds that we promised to lose.   As my friends will testify, I get the strangest reactions to bites and was not surprised when my leg began swelling.  The internet came in handy and I found Community Health Partners in West Yellowstone. As soon as we had cell service, I called and had an appointment two hours later.  The NP confirmed it was a spider bite(s) and not a tick bite or something else unusual that would cause a flesh eating disease.  Received a prescription and I was on my way.  Good news, the medicine could cause me to be cranky - I have a pass card for being cranky for a week!  Score!

West Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park and Cabins

The repairs to the truck is estimated to be done by Saturday.  We are staying in a RV Park across the street.  So excited to find a place close because we are now on foot or bike.  The RV Park is super nice and the price is nice too ($40 for a tent to $65 for premium spot).  But considering this is peak visitor time for Yellowstone and the park is exceptional, no complaints only giggles.   We took the only spot available for the time we needed - electric and cable only ($54).  Our big rig looks kinda funny in the spot made for a camper or smaller trailer.  We are just happy to have a spot.  Did I mention it is a corner spot?  Only neighbors on one side.

The highlight of our spot, E1, is the park exit is next to us!  We have a parade of RV's coming and going. It is so much fun to watch families enjoy their vacation.  Kids are so happy and you know this trip will be a memory they will have forever.



Last night Ray enjoyed watching campers (parents) using the laundry located across the street.  It's like living on main street in a small town.  They started at 4 p.m. and it didn't end until 11 p.m.  There were many tired campers getting their clothes cleaned before going to Yellowstone the next day.  I bet some of them were dreaming of their washer/driers at home.

This morning campers headed out to Yellowstone around 8 a.m.  I heard that they were staggering the number of cars entering the park.  Largest crowds in years.  This news helped with our situation of no car and having to hang out in West Yellowstone for the week.

This is the best RV park in the area - perhaps all of Montana and we are happy to be here.





Highlight today:

Ray has already made several bike trips to the pharmacy,  grocery store, fly shop and other places in town.  He has saved a trip to the hardware store for today.  I'm hoping he will also fit in a trip to the grocery store.  :)

I am staying at the RV and resting my leg - under doctor's orders.