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.

RV REPAIRS COMPLETED – ON THE ROAD AGAIN

June 21, 2013 – All good things have to come to an end.  Including repairing the RV.  The part arrived yesterday and we pulled the RV into Bish's RV early in the morning.  Since this is our “home,” we needed to entertain ourselves for the day.

First stop Nampa Dog Park. We had to check out the dog park.  It rated five stars from Yelp reviews.  The park was great.  Sydney and Ray went to the big dog portion that had an off leash walkway, benches, water fountain with a dog bowl and lots of green grass.  Sydney was happy to have some freedom and sniff new friends.  Louie and I went to the small dog area.  Louie loved it until other dogs showed up.  We sat on the bench and observed.  No socializing for Louie.

Next we went to a city park to spread out our camping books, maps and calendars to decide where to stay tonight and then the next six days.  Our plan is to head straight to Clayton and start fishing.  We need to start this party.

Five O’Clock rolled around and we were back at Bish’s RV.  The fifth wheel was almost ready. The challenge with having a big slide is the weight and the infrastructure.   After the technicians were finished with our RV, it was better than when it came out of the factory.   The other good news of the day, was most of the expense was covered by the extended warranty we purchased.

Of course, Ray had to get involved in the repair.

Bish's RV is located on Exit 34 heading East on I-84.  The service desk staff was helpful.  The technicians did a great job.  They worked hard to make sure the slide worked successfully.  IF we are ever in Nampa again, we would have them work on the RV again.

THANKS Dave and Ron!

The best news was they did not charge extra for Ray sliding under and inspecting the work.  Ray wanted to see and know everything that was done. This project was a little bigger than any of us expected and created much interest.

 6:30 p.m. we were heading to Ambassador RV for the night.  I am hoping that this is the last night I will be smelling C & I Sugar Plant (processed sugar beets = not good)