all three posts in order (minus the pics) ??

1st leg

(looks like it runs a little long, you may want to break it up in sections)

(you are encouraged to read entirely as well as look at all the pretty pictures)

Beast is going at it again! My 1989 Honda Accord LXi is still running strong with better than 33 mpg. The radio doesn't work, but the cassette deck does. No A/C, the driver's window does not roll up all the way, and it starts to shimmy pretty good between 60 and 70 mph. Best of all I lost reverse just before leaving Mexico. Where I park and how I drive are skills better never learned. Got a speeding ticket outside of Safford on my way to Nutrioso. Great start.
After visiting Grandma at her cabin in the White Mountains I drove about 11 hours to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. What a beautiful place that is. Steve Fesch's ranch is on the Elk River just outside Steamboat. Arriving late did not permit me to view the grand vista that he has there. Steve woke me up with some Mexican music, "El Rancho Grande." Nice welcome. We worked for a few hours some days and up to about 11 on others. Whether it was building a deck by the river or building damns in the creek to save all the water we could after the bottom pond drained out due to a busted drainage board. Ugly mess that was. Many dead fish. Sad.
I caught my first pike one day when we floated down the Yampa river with Steve's ranch hand Tom as our guide. He is a local cowboy from Hayden which is about 30 minutes away. We have video footage of him riding a couple bulls in a practice rodeo that the Tuff-e-Nuff ranch has every Wednesday about a mile up the river from the Fesch ranch. I was tempted to get tossed myself. Lack of health insurance was my excuse.
Tom is a certified fly fishing guide and he made sure I knew what I was doing. I caught my first fish on a fly rod early in the trip. It was a good 5 pounds likely, about 23 inches or so, nice rainbow trout out of the upper pond. Fly fishing is way cool. I had a big one hooked in the river a few days later but did not land it.
On the first Saturday night we, Steve, Jessica (his girlfriend) and I, went to town and ended up having a blast. A band was playing at a local brewery and they were jamming. A flock of good looking women, mostly from Denver were there for a bachelorette party. Easily a dozen girls and half, at least, were HOT. I was a little slow on getting geared up (boozed up) to dance with any of them, but I did ask one where they were headed when they left. We followed after another beer (Lil' Lilly's IPA, mmmm) and the band took a set break. We arrived at Old Town Pub but they had already taken taxis back to their hotel. Their loss. :) There was an old hippy neandrathal-looking dude playing solo with his guitar. All of the sudden we were listening to this guy sing the ranch theme music "El Rancho Grande." Good times. We doubled back per my request to catch the other band again at the brewery. In no time at all I was out dancing to a couple of my favorite Dead songs, "Shakedown Street" and "Scarlet Begonias." Then they busted out with "Ain't Life Grand" by Widespread Panic. Man was I alive. I think I may have scared a few people with my excitement. Tried to catch them the next weekend but to no avail.
Some Bronco tailgating friends, the Stutz's stayed a few days at the ranch. Ray Stutz is the California Raptor, a top fuel drag racer from years back. The kids caught their first fish. We made it to the natural hot springs and even rafted/kayaked down the Colorado. There was one section of rapids called the "Go again rapids" where it sort of eddys around and you can paddle back into some good woops. Our guide told me people float it/swim it. So, being a wee bit scared, yet adventurous, I walked up and above it, dropped in, swam to the rapids section and got pummelled. Much more intense than I had anticipated. Head under water multiple times. Again, good times. No pics, sorry, too wet.
We went to the Broncos opening day of training camp in Denver on a Sunday. We took Orange Force One and tailgated. Tom made the channel 2 news for an interview. Quite humuorous. We took our time coming back the next day as we toured Denver in a giant orange bus. We even spent an hour or two at the Bass Pro Shop. They have a bar and restaurant there too!
Played Ultimate frisbee the night before I left in a pick up game. We only had five on five but it was plenty good exercise and fun.
Beast tuned 319,000 miles somewhere in Idaho. Wyoming and Idaho are now on my list of been theres. Now, I've made it to Stout's house in Pocatello, Idaho. He's working for the morning and I'm doing laundry and trying to figure out this blog bit. Hope you enjoy...

Stefanie said...

Really I just wanted to be the first to comment, but it sounds like you are having a blast. The pictures are great too! Those pike fish are really ugly...do you eat them?

August 3, 2007 1:56 PM

Jake said...

Yo Man, Give Beast a big pat on the back for me!! How long are you going to be traveling for. Where all are you going to go? I wish I was there for that local show playing Dead and WSP songs!

Peace,

Jake Dean

August 3, 2007 10:19 PM

Sara said...

Hey Dave,
Happy to hear from you. You seem to really enjoy your trip. how long are you travelling this summer ?
Tempted by a stop in Paris ? :)
Sara

August 6, 2007 4:08 AM

jason said...

Look like you had a blast. It also looks like Steve learned more in school then I. That ranch is awsome! Is he going to let you elk hunt on it? See you at my bro's B.P.

Jason Morse

August 6, 2007 8:52 AM

2nd post - Blagger

Somehow or another, as much fun as this blogging is, it's hard to find the time to throw down. Once a laptop is secured, the frequency ought to increase. Until then, (and after) Bear Down AZ! (reference to the UA fight song for those of you unfortunate to not know). After writing the first blog I realized adventures from the trip had already been omitted. For instance, after floating down the Yampa River with Steve and Tom we went to the local "Hi-Way Bar" for beer and grub. Ordered beer and then found out the kitchen is closed due to construction. Hung out for a couple and then Tom took off in his Bronco II and we were to follow in my Honda to a restaurant. Outside, I tried the key, but Beast wouldn't turn over. Nothing we haven't seen before. Popped the hood and took my heel to the battery terminals a few times. Meanwhile, Steve was talking to a nice older lady who offered assistance or a ride in her brand new SUV. My car, of course, fired up fine. The lady offered Steve to drive her car. He declined and got in mine. We drove to the restaurant and he filled me in on the funny coversation. It went something like this:
"Do you need help or a ride?" - lady
"Not unless you have another brand new (one of those)" - Steve
"My husband was a pilot with the Blue Angels" - crazy lady
then she went on to ask him to drive. (Steve, you're welcome to add details as you remember them)
We got to the restaurant, parked strategically and went inside. As we sat down and told Tom the story she drove into the parking lot and walked inside. She offered us a deal. "I'll trade you a room for the night for that hat," refering to Steve's outback style hat. She proceeded to tell us she lives 30 minutes away and we could have a room for free. Steve told her he did, too. Tom said he lives five minutes away. Steve pointed to me and said, "But this guy..." I told her I was just passing through. About this time Steve told her sort of bluntly "Mam, we're about to eat."
She left. Fried Green Tomatoes came to mind somehow. Strange experience, no? Figured I ought to add it in case that lady runs across this blog. Wouldn't want her to feel left out, she's obviously lonely.
As stories come back to me I may double back occasionally.
Back in Pocatello with Stout was a good time. We played disc golf the first three days in a row. He almost took me one time. One night the inlaws came over for a BBQ. Bunch of kids. Bocce ball was a hit with the father-and bro- in law. One night Heidi dropped me and Chris off at a bar and we were to walk home or catch a ride. Never saw a taxi in Pocatello, weird. Stout had never been to a bar yet in Idaho so I was sort of taking him out on places I saw that looked like fun. We showed up to a sweet bluegrass band from Athens , GA. We played a few games of pool had a few beers, talked to some girls and then bar hopped. There were about five bars visited and quite a few miles walked. At the end of the night we tried, half ass, for a ride, meaning I asked a couple people after closing time in the street. No surpirse. We walked. As we got to the monstrous hill, Stout lives on, a car with two girls passed. I stuck out my thumb and they passed us by, up the hill, argh! A few minutes later they came back down and flipped a uey and pulled up. We hopped in and got dropped off just passed his house to avoid noise. Heidi asked how the walk home was, Chris told her long. She heard the car doors and saw the girls leave. Ooh, she was pissed at Chris. Guess she didn't believe girls would just give rides to guys in the middle of the night without wanting something more. I'm with her on that, I think those girls were ready to party. If only I was with a single friend...perhaps better this way???
We worked three long days laying tile about an hour away in Idaho Falls. We even got paid for the commute. Pretty sweet gig for me. Thanks, Chris. One day we went to Idaho State so Chris could take a placement exam since he's going to go to school. We had both kids so Uncle Dave got to walk the campus with a double stroller while Daddy did math and such. Figured they'd be great babe magnets. Unfortunately, there was hardly anyone on campus. The Union was pretty cool with a bowling alley game room including pong. They also had a huge outdoor rec office which rents all kinds of gear and puts together trips. The boys were great, Owen slept under his shade cover and Peyton enjoyed the ride, real chill like, just looking around up front.
We left for Portland on Thursday night after Heidi got off work. It was about 7 when we rolled out in the Honda. We debated all week which one of Junebug's old Hondas to take. Chris's or mine. Each had some good fors and againsts. Figured we may as well rack up the miles on the '89. About 660 miles and 11 1/2 hours later we arrived in Portland. The Oregon 65 MPH speed limit killed us. Especially cause that was the range of the terrible vibration which seemed to worsen. Junebug got a 5:30 Am wakeup call. He went to work a couple hours later while Chris and I slept. Then we went to lunch with him at a brewery. Afterwards Chris and I, locked out of JBs apt because he forgot to leave it unlocked, drove downtown to check out the waterfront and what not. Hit another brewery for a beer and sort of bummed around. Met up with JB after work and partied it up. We played disc golf one of the evenings. After deciding to go to a certain brewery, Junebug tried, with great persistance, and we seemed to drive in circles for quite sometime. Ending up trying for a different one clear on the other side where we were. And then having to call information to find it. Yes, breweries are good. I'd like to be the brewery tourer. We met up with Dario one night and bounced around scoping the scene and the ladies. Portland is way cool. JB took us to some waterfalls that we had driven by in the night. Quite the vista, kept forgetting my camera, damn! So green and wet it's phenomonal.
We left Sunday at noon and got home at midnight, Chris drove the last few hours. The shimmy seemed worse than I remembered. I had doubts that it was going to make it. I even caught myself telling Chris that I don't like my car anymore! I hope she didn't hear me. Sorry if so, Beast, you're the best. We stopped at a rest area so I could snooze a bit and Chris could pull some weight. This time checking the tires showed a major problem about to happen. The front right tire was showing steel, bad. Scary. I opted to drive to the nearest town and look for a tire shop. We arrived in a small town after about forty five minutes or so and luckily there was a Walmart with a service station just off the freeway. They were about to close in an hour, more luck. 50 something dollars later we were back on the road. Hardly the shimmy now! Love that car again.
Stayed with Chris one more day as he didn't work that day. Unfortunatly we left our discs in JBs car. (I hope you're using those, Junebug) The next morning I left for Yellowstone National park, 3 and 1/2 hours away...
Here's a bunch of pics to wet your appetite for the next post.

--(you may want to look at pics at this point, many pics and much more writing)---

1 comments:

Rocha said...

Dude, Yellowstone is pretty fucking Sweet!!

September 10, 2007 9:34 PM

3rd post - oh my!

So I lag. Is that news to anyone? Let's see what I can remember. This ought to be good practice and muscle memory training, as someday I may write of things long since happened.
Upon nearing the west entrance of Yellowstone my eyes scoured the turnoffs for possible camping spots. All I'd need is a slight clearing to throw my mat on and room to maneuver my reverse-less car. Saw a few spots that would work for a night, I imagined. Camping spots in the park are first come first serve and I was told there is good camping about 45 minutes south of the park. Doubling back that far was not too exciting for me. It turned out there were spots available in various campgrounds in the park. Being as it was late summer and many kids were already back in school, traffic must have been much less than mid-season.
Passed a brewery in West Yellowstone, Montana on the way in that I planned to revisit later. Too my disappointment it was closed the day I returned. Fooey. Just googled the name - Wolf Pack Brewery. Read a few reviews and looks like I didn't miss much. Though the IPA I had at the Beartooth BBQ was good. Now I'm getting ahead of myself.
It was about 4:20pm when I showed up to the west YSP entrance. Figured I'd find out what the deal was. Wasn't planning on entering today. Finding out the opening and closing times of the park was forefront in my mind to assess my plan. I read online it was $25 to enter. To my surprise and delight that was for a week, not per day! And it included the Grand Tetons! This greatly relieved me of time constraints due to finances. Now, it was time to see sights long over due in my mind. Figured I'd spend anywhere from three to seven days here now.
The lady ranger collecting money handed me some literature that I planned to devour. Never quite did, but I'm sure I still have much of it if I ever decide to go back and gain knowledge that slipped through. Much like the many college books I still have but never read. The park is large and Beast and I were just starting off in one corner with plenty of sights to see. Pulled off after about ten minutes of driving to snap some photos. (You can refer back to the pictures as they are chronologically in order). Saw a few trout rise and some small minnows hiding in the grass nearby. Hadn't a fishing license yet. Gotta go do that.
Stopped in the first ranger station. It was a junior station which means they give tutorials/classes/workshops for youngsters teaching them about the park and it's wildlife. Upon the end of the class they get a certificate after an oath they repeat. Tuned in for some of that, thought about what a job like that could be for a summer or two. Got the scoop on what I ought to be sure to visit from a good looking ranger girl. She highlighted some attractions not to be missed. Bought a three day license and was informed of special regulations and times. Certain streams were too warm and delicate to be fishing right then. Talking to her was a delight. Unfortunately, she seemed hurried to get outta there since the station was about to close. Checked a chart of predicted and recent eruption times of some geysers and was on my way toward Old Faithful. Get that one out of the way early was the plan. That stretch of road was the most remarkable, I remember. Perhaps due to it being my intro and excitement. There are some great curves and vistas before you get in to the geysers. Captured some video driving. Saw the first buffalo here, along the way, that fouled up traffic.
Arriving at the first geyser pullout was quite mesmerising. I went a little overboard with the video camera, but captured the scene for later quite well. Recorded my walk for about five minutes. Many people, many languages. Knew I was in for quite an experience that was not part of the calculation coming in. After spending some time at the first geyser I opted to skip some and head straight to Old Faithful to be be sure to catch the next eruption, figuring, if I just missed it, I'd split for and hour and a half.
Parked in a decent spot and began asking others when it'll blow. "No clue, I'm not sure," and then "any minute now," I hear. Found a log to sit on in the shade and wait. Kept waiting and people kept coming. Asked again and found out more specifics, ten minutes plus or minus some. Too late to grab some grub and a drink. Gonna wait it out. Then it gurgled, slight tease. Crowd gets excited, slight lull and then BAM! About a minute or two of fury. Took photos and video with both cameras. Then I walked downwind to catch a whiff and feel the heat. Both were less than imagined. Saw some vantage points up high where I plan to someday view the eruption again. That place cleared out pretty quick after she died down. Me too. Headed to the grocery store where I spotted a girl with an Oregon Subaru packed for one, but had two bikes on her rack. Told her I wanted to put my bike in her trunk. Kidding! Introduced myself and told her I was going to hit the brewery outside the park once it's dark if she wanted to meet me there. May as well throw it out there, eh? She was moving from Oregon to Wyoming and just passing through. (My guess is she did not go..?) In the store, I was surprised to find they had good beer available. Bought some turkey, ham and an apple or two along with a few beers. Now I was ready to go try Yellowstone Lake for lake trout.
As I exited toward the main roadway there were three Asian girls holding a sign that said Grant. That just happened to be where I was headed. However, my car was full of gear. Passed them with an "I'm sorry" look on my face. Started thinking that I could fit them in if I moved a few things around and may just learn some things by meeting them. Flipped the car around and headed back. Found them a ways further down the road and pulled over. Threw bags and things up front so they could all squeeze in back with their knees to their chests and fly rod across their laps. They were delighted to get a ride. Turns out they were exchange students from Taiwan. They worked in the kitchen and did laundry at Grant Village resort here in the park. One had a boyfriend. Decent odds. Made sure to get that straight early.
I tried videotaping them, no, not like that you pervs, but saying their real names in their native tongues. Seemed to have messed it up somehow and is nowhere in the footage. Some may be dying to hear the rest so I won't keep you in suspense any longer. Nothing happened. Dropped them off at the store, took some pictures and they walked to their dorms/cabins probably thinking "他是很梦想的!"
Cruised down to the water's edge to get my line wet. Found the boat ramp and saw another guy fishing. Quickly grabbed my gear and walked down the shore as it was beginning to get dark. Tried a spinner for quite a while before deciding to call it quits. Talked to the other fisherman : "any bites? nah. me neither." There were two gals sitting at the lake near us, seeming not from the states. Asked him what he knew about them and he said they didn't know English. He already tried to spit some game at them but they acted as if he was nuts. Not to be deterred by language barriers I went over to them and began speaking Spanish as a joke. These girls were white as white could be and I figured them for Polish, Russian or maybe German. They knew nothing of what I said in Spanish but seemed receptive to my attempt. They spoke English about as good as I speak Spanish, sort of rough but able to hang. Perhaps they were playing coy with Josh? They were drinking Kahlua straight, or at least Maria was. Natasha drank later and Maria did not. I asked to join them with my beer that I had in my car. They accepted and I ran up to my car and back and cracked a semi cold one. We chatted for a bit and then Josh moved in with a great suggestion. Why don't we all go back to his campsite/trailer and hangout by the fire. They thought that was a good idea so they jumped in my car and we headed back up to the store to buy more Kahlua, beer and water. Things seemed to be going well with the girls all googly over the two dogs he had. They tried to talk me into giving them a ride to Casper so that they could go to Walmart and buy a new computer game, the new SimCity, I think. Casper is three hours away. They were nuts. Then they went on to tell me about a guy they wanted to visit there. Then about the car they borrowed that broke down and is still there.
Josh sat next to Maria and, I believe, made a few too many forward advances by the fire. I took them home after having made plans to pick them up the next day after work in order to "hang out" with us. Whatever that may have meant. They made sure I knew exactly where their cabin was by getting me out of the car and walking me almost to it. There seemed to be a party going on in a large building by the dorms. They told me it's a private lounge/bar for the employees. I could smell food and I was hungry, so I went for it. Inside was quite the party. Young folks from all over the world letting loose eating pizza and drinking beer. I tried to order some pizza and was questioned about where I worked. The guy next to me tried to cover for me but I told him I was just passing through and hungry. He told me the pizza is all paid for and to go ahead and grab a few slices but gotta go or he could get in trouble. He gave me a box and I went around gathering slices from different tables. There were some hotties in there and did not want to leave, but knew I was on ice as is, so I did. Cruised back to Josh's trailer where he had offered me ground space for the night, sweet. He had told me the brewery is a good hour and half away so I had nixed that plan long ago. He didn't even want any pizza, fine by me, cold pizza's just as good in the morning.
I woke up and headed for the lake to try again. No luck but it sure was beautiful. Josh was planning on going back home this day but these Russian girls were to meet us later that evening. Josh does tours on kayaks in the summer months and on snow mobiles by winter. Sweet gig if you ask me. He knew the park inside and out and sort of guided me around that afternoon. We went down to Crawfish Creek where Moose Falls is. I had been told about this place by a worker and you can jump off the cliff at the falls. Josh did not know about this jumping business and was excited to check it out. This place is one of the most missed falls in the whole park I'm sure and about the easiest to get to. We swam in the pool with the pounding water rushing down. The moving water and terrific noise added with chilly water really gets your heart pounding. I probed for depth and assured myself it was safe to attempt a jump. I climbed up the rocks and poised myself to bomb into the pool right next to the waterfall. Looking down there was a mom with her kids looking at me with fright in her eyes. She kept shaking her head kind of pleading me not to do it. Meanwhile Josh had my camera and was videotaping me chickening out. Sure enough I did, chicken out that is. Opted for the safe route and consoled myself by making the mom happy and giving me a good reason to return. Got back into the stream and swam behind the falls. We had to grip along the rock in order to get ourselves behind the rushing water. It was very intense. I got out and began to dry off and the kids finally got the nerve to get wet. Josh took them behind the falls. They were scared but glad they did it. A garter snake was found in the pool and tossed up on the rocks. It looked lifeless to me. Then it was moving about a minute later. The girls and mom were all freaked out. Then Josh did something amazing. He grabbed the snake and said to me "Watch this, I'm really gonna freak 'em out." He put the snake in his mouth, turned around toward the family and then opened his mouth as it crawled out. Ewe! I tried to get him to do it again for the camera but he was appalled by the terrible taste in his mouth. I'd imagine. I believe some snakes emit a musk to deter predators form eating them. Nasty, nasty, nasty! Sure glad I saw it though. Way to go Josh. That family will never forget him.
We went back to camp and had some food at his trailer, watched The Grizzly Man and took a nap. That movie/documentary is strange, just like that guy was. He was malled, of course, along with his girlfriend. Something seems foul to me still.
Time came to go scoop the girls, but to no avail. They did not show. I hung out with some other workers for a bit and waited around until my sympathy for Josh sitting by himself overwhelmed me and I returned to tell him the bad news. He sort of figured that may happen. Guess I did too, a bit. We had some neighbors in a rental RV with a tight rope. We watched them and then played bocce ball with them. Then joined them for dinner. They were from Annapolis. The one brother worked at ASS. Easy enough to remember - Annapolis Sailing School. Josh gave them the low down on what hikes to do for their interests and ability.
The next morning I packed my bedding and helped Josh clean up a bit. We went over a map quite extensively and he advised me on various cool spots off the beaten path, including a hot springs in between YSP and the Tetons. I went ahead and took off for my venture around the park. Wonder if I'll ever hear from or see that cat again...?
That day I saw a bunch of awesome waterfalls, more geysers, herds of buffalo, tried a little river fishing, got slightly rained on for my first time here, and took loads of pictures. Heck of a day. I drove pretty far north thinking I may see a grizzly, as my map indicated from the ranger I questioned. Almost turned around but wanted to see what came after the next saddle I was approaching and sure glad I did. There was traffic all backed up, people were acting frantic and looking up the hill toward ? I turned around when I could and got back in the traffic line. Someone said bear and it was all on from then on. Cars were stopped, people were walking around trying to get a glimpse of the bears. I climbed out of my moon roof and stood on top of my car to get a better view. Sure enough there were five bears cruising along the hill the same direction as me. I slid my car through traffic and found a parking spot past the mayhem, got out and waited for them to pop up where I imagined they would. I really wanted to climb the hill and be right in their path, but I'm smarter than that. After a while the bears were in plain view. There was a mama and four cubs. They were about fifty yards away at the closest, but I felt no fear. I was surrounded by people much slower and likely tastier than me.
Drove back down south stopping a few places for some more sweet pics. Man, oh man, quite the vista off to my left, eastward. Mountains upon mountains for miles. Green trees everywhere. Before it got dark and cold I made it to Firehole Canyon where you could swim and there were plenty of takers. You could ride down some rapids and jump of some cliffs, but don't get caught jumping, big fine! I would owe the park 5 hundy. :) Injured myself pretty good on the shin with a bonehead move of walking around and floating down to the slide rapid section. Got my leg caught up and smashed up a bit. It appears I have a free souvenir now, a nice scar reminding me of good times and beautiful places. Headed back out where I came in and was going to camp outside the park for free, somewhere in Montana that Josh told me is nice. Sure was excited to go back through West Yellowstone and check out the Wolf Pack Brewery, but my luck was not so good. They were closed and often are lately, I learned. Asked and walked around for good food and a sleeping bag. Bought a cheap bag. I needed another one to keep me warm at night. Settled on Beartooth BBQ after checking out a few eateries. Tasty and moderately inexpensive. Drove out to the camping spot some ten miles south of town, just passed the rodeo grounds where it was the last night of rodeo days. Considered checking it out, but thought better of it knowing not where I was going and it was getting dark with storms pending. Cruised back into the woods and found a spot just about like Josh said I would. Thanks buddy.
Set up a lean-to tent with a rain fly from my trunk that had been there for years, apparently for this very situation. Put a giant garbage sack I got from a maintenance guy to keep me warm, and now dry. Being as I was in bear country I was a little nervous and set up a slight barricade at my head to buy a little extra time to defend myself in case of a bear attack or curious encounter. My suitcase there helped me sleep better, believe it or not. Not quite as reassuring as a tent or a handgun, but close enough for me. Woke up early and headed back in to catch a few sites I missed. Killed all day visiting some of the most amazing natural wonders known to me and most of mankind. Norris Basin was almost skipped on this venture, turns out to be about the most bewildering. It was an overcast day which made for better pictures. That overcast turned dark and stormy as I headed back south toward the exit. I was heading directly into a fierce storm. Rain, sleet, hail - loads of it! Incredible noise in my car. Parked at the ranger station and waited it out with a nap. So did many. Met a YSP tour bus operator. Sounded like a nice job. Maybe some other summer.
On my way out of the park I stopped back by Moose Falls in case I had the urge to jump in off the cliff. But thought it would be better when warmer and with company. Left the park out of the south entrance/exit. Flaag Ranch is private and there are campsites and rooms. It separates the Yellowstone from the Grand Tetons. this is where Josh told me to ask a worker how to get to Huckleberry Hot Springs. Three workers later I had a good directions.
Followed the trail form some ten minutes, crossed a river as indicated and came upon a steaming stream. Saw a giant metal ring which looked to me like the pool to sit in. Stripped down to my swimsuit, sat down and relaxed. It began to sprinkle and darkness kept creeping. A mule deer doe appeared in the woods about 200 yards away. Then another one, then a nice 3X3 buck. They foraged along at about a hundred yards. I tried grunting to them and took a few pictures. They left and few minutes later I began to. As I was drying off to put my clothes on I noticed some others doing the same upstream. I grabbed my clothes and went to talk to them. They were nice folk. One lived in Jackson Hole and his buddy and girlfriend were visiting from NY. They knew the better spot. It was a little deeper. There was a small waterfall and heat comes out of the rocks on the bottom, awesome. Stayed an extra fifteen or so and began to think it was time to go before it was too dark and rainy and beary. Made it back to the Honda pretty wet. Stripped off the wet clothes and drove deeper toward the primitive campsites. Passed a few unfavorable spots and found one that would suffice. That night I opted to sleep in the car as the ground and I were already wet and it was raining pretty decent. Set up a bed and made myself quite comfortable. One trick I learned long ago is to drive my front wheels up on rocks in order to recline a bit more. Slept okay actually, back was a bit stiff in the morning though. Got gas in the morning at the store and was pleasantly surprised to see the old school gas meter rollermajigs.
Drove south to the Grand Tetons. Just before arriving in the Tetons park I saw a couple of bucks way off in this distance at a clearing and took some pics. Waved down some passerbyers to show them the deer with the classic hand on my head like a rack. They thanked me. Others drove on by and probably thought I was strange. Perhaps they thought I was trying to look like a deer. Sure wasn't fooling them. :) After a few more minutes and one dead elk on the side of the road I came upon Jackson Lake. On the other side of the lake shot a mountain like I had never seen before. Majestic is the best word that comes to mind. The weather was still cloudy which made me a little bummed at first, being as it blocked my view of the mountains. My thoughts quickly switched to the positive with the low clouds making the vista that much better. Weather makes eveyrthing better and more real.
Continued my drive toward Lake Jenny which I was told is all that. Sure enough, quite the sight. There's a great hike, Cascade Canyon that one must take upon visiting the Tetons. I was a bit unsure to pay for a ferry across the lake just to get rained on. Decided to take some time and see what the weather was going to do. I spread out my wet bedding and clothes on my car and walked down to the lake, got some food and killed time talking with rangers. Learned of a nice hike around the lake that would get me to the same place the ferry drops off. That's much more my style. Parked my car at the trailhead and proceeded to walk toward Cascade Canyon. It was an extra two miles of hiking but all the worth it.
The lake's lower end was amazing. There were deer right off the trail that were still around when I came back three or four hours later. I was within ten yards easy. Very tame, especially with fawns. I made it to where the ferry loads and unloads and all the sudden there were all sorts of people on the trail. Another reason the hike around was a better option than the ferry. Saw only a few people for the first couple miles.
Came upon Hidden Falls and was blown away. So was everybody else. People took turns taking pictures in front of the falls. I did too. Then it was up the hill to Inspiration Point. Hell of a vista up there. You can see just about the whole lake and many miles beyond. After that it was a long hike uphill to the next point of interest according to the signs. I continued on alongside the stream taking pictures along the way. After a while I asked a few returners if there is anything spectacular coming up. I was told to continue with great enuthusiasm and, of course, did. I was to find a lake with a sandy beach in another mile or two. I pressed on with a bit more speed as the clouds darkened the sky. I packed an umbrella that I used when the rain started to really come down. Later, lost the umbrella, but found a raincoat, strange how that works out. I got to a saddle and there my eyes were stunned with the best view yet. A blueish green lake, more like a big pond, was nestled in between rock croppings shooting up thousands of feet on either side. Way beyond were even bigger mountains. A slight sprinkle made the flat water dance. Just when I thought it couldn't possibly be better than this I spotted a moose standing in the lake munching on clovers. All my goals for this trip were met at that point. Except that I never saw a wolf. No biggie. Seen 'em in AZ.
I walked along the trail toward the moose and took a bunch of footage. I was within twenty yards along with others. Got tired of filming the moose and my battery on my camera was now dead. I walked on a bit further to see what it looked like as it opened up through the trees. After a few minutes along the trail a I heard a "mew," different than elk or deer. It was louder, deeper and more burpy. I found myself hiding behind a tree with a moose looking right at me from about five yards. Heart is thumPing now! Again, "phrew." It was calling for the other moose, heading toward it. Escaped that possible show down and she and I moved on. I saw a waterfall coming down from the cliffs. I then realized that the sort of white spots up high were glaciers. What a sight! Camera does not quite do justice here. It was now time to turn around. The rains seemed to be coming again and I began my trek back to the car. I booked it pretty good on the way back. Good thing I did. The last 300 yards were an all out sprint through hail like I hadn't seen in years.
I was cold, wet and tired. Right then I made a decision to sleep better that night and headed out of the park to my cousin's place in Fort Collins, CO. Cruised out the route I was told I'd see moose and sure did. This time it was a mama and her calf. Off the side of a road standing in a stream foraging. Didn't stick around as I was in go mode now. After a few more miles of this dirt road out of the Tetons there was crazy traffic blocking up the road. It suddenly began pouring rain. I had seen this frantic action before. Bear in the woods! Parked beyond, grabbed the video camera, jacket and walked back to the madness. Soaking wet, thinking this is not such a good idea being so far from my car with no one else walking around in the rain. Looked around a bit but never saw the bear. Poo. All soaking wet and no bear to see.
I rolled into the edge of Jasckson Hole, Wyoming and stopped to get gas and some grub. This time, Beast was being stubborn and wouldn't turn over. The hood was out in the open and it started to rain harder and harder. I'd run out there, kick the battery terminals a bit, move' em around, and try again. Must have taken six or seven tries. It finally started just as the guy behind was about to offer help. Thanks anyways. 420 or so miles before I have to that again.
As I left Jackson it continued to rain harder. Before I knew it it was hailing, Then it was hailing large marble size pellets. Many bottle cap size, some were likely golfball size. One landed on the roof and made a sound like a hammer had just pounded me. Kerplam! That scared me. I thought for sure the windshield was going down. The road was covered in a blanket, two inches thick, of ice in under a minute. I was driving slow and now pulled off after a truck in front of me did. Sat there for a while and recorded some with my video camera, the sound is all washed out cause it was so loud. It slowed up slightly and a Subaru blazed a trail. I followed his tracks and then a few minutes later it began to clear up and then it was wonderful again. Smooth riding form there on out.
Made it to Kasey's place around 1 am or so. Crashed out pretty quick.

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November 20, 2007 10:10 PM

Anonymous said...

Hello David,

It is good to see that you are doing well. So to speak. I was not able to read everything that you have written. I am a slow reader and you are writing a book. Now the pictures and captions work for me. I guess I am a visual guy. Be safe and enjoy your journey Grasshopper.

Your friend,

Harley

November 25, 2007 7:37 AM

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