Yellowstone -Part III

Yellowstone - Part III

Another gorgeous day in Yellowstone!  The weather was diamond-sunny and the air crisp and piney-fresh.

Sharon and I went for our usual coffee and internet and finally spotted the bison moms and babies:

Baby bison approaching for a meal.











Beware Momma--the bulls are nearby:












 Newly-birthed baby elk.










On Day Three we were forced to change sites; we had originally thought we would move the rig to Mammoth in the far north of the park for 2 nights; however, we were so happy in Madison that we decided to stay.  We did not realize that the approaching season would complicate our camping lives.  All the campgrounds were reserved and full!  However, the Park personnel found us a spot so we gathered up our stuff and moved to a new site.  Though we were unfortunately close to the Volunteers' service area, we were treated to super-clean, cozy-heated and lavender-vanilla scent filled bathrooms.

After the Speed Move, the girls headed out to discover more Yellowstone--today to Mammoth and Lamar Valley.  The streams, rivers and waterfalls were overfull from plentiful mountain run-off and waterfowl seemed happy to put on a show for us.  Theresa screeched the RV to a stop whenever we spotted humans with ridiculously-long camera lenses.

We encountered "safari's" from over a 100 miles away who were tracking a mated pair of rare species of duck (harlequin) that had been spotted.  These ducks like fast-moving water and we wondered how they weren't swept away by the swift river current.




We saw no bears or moose though I spoke with some folks who did see a moose mom and her twins in Teton immediately south of Yellowstone.  They also saw momma grizzly bear and cub at an elk kill in Teton.

The girls made the mandatory visit to Old Faithful and the new Visitor Center. 

Thirsty, we snagged a young buck bartender at the Old Faithful Lodge. This might explain the silly grins on our faces.

We checked out the iconic Grand Canyon of Yellowstone which was actually tricky to find.  We pulled into at least 6 overlooks before finding "The One".  The road is a big loop around the canyon but the signs are pretty lame.












After our extended canyon search, a nice bystander took our group photo; Sharon is steadying my dip to my knees for the pic.

Cassie was super-excited to see all the sights from the comfort of Pat's "pillow lap".

The girls, weary from their travel in the park, finally returned back "home" for a burger dinner over the campfire.  Later, we roasted marshmallows slathered with various forms of chocolate.  Yum-O.

Princess Cassie awaits leftover Burger Bites.

Exploring Yellowstone NP-Part II

Exploring Yellowstone NP-Part II

Since we have no hookups at the campground, it was easy to just UP and GO in the motorhome and have all the amenities of "home" available.  It was more expensive to run the rig, but much nicer than everyone crowding in the Prius.

Cassie also had access to her crate--her safe place.











Stops on the itinerary included geologic and thermal features and pretty scenic overlooks.  Yellowstone was "eye candy"-sunny, clear and lush and the park had plenty of parking pullouts for gawking and photos.

 

In the middle of nowhere, Sharon takes a call from her Park Manager about park shenanigans.

All that  beauty made the girls hungry, so we found a picnic spot for some lunch.  We were observed by several chipmunks, an ominous, Stephen King-ish black bird perched in a treetop overlooking us--and one predatory white, fuzzy dog.

We enjoyed campfire-worthy weather--and are thrilled to have no rain, wind or cold weather to enjoy another evening of Girl Chat by the fire!

 

Cassie eyeballed her Treat Jar.

Treat Jar and all food was carefully secured from marauding bears and wily coyotes.

Mellow Yellowstone-Part I

MELLOW YELLOWSTONE-Part I

The Coast-to-Coast Meetup with the Girls happened, with only a 2 hour delay, in the cowboy/tourist town of West Yellowstone, MT.  I saw Theresa's  motorhome approach at the edge of town and eagerly planted myself in the middle of the main strip.  I waved excitedly, pointing to the hidden entry road behind the restaurant chosen for dinner-Bullwinkle's Saloon. (The town was fairly empty of cowboys and tourists as "high season" had not kicked off yet, so my presence in the road was virtually unnoticed.)

After happy greetings, we nailed some drinks; my preference was the local brew--Moose Drool.

After dinner, we traveled into the park to Madison campground, with plenty of daylight to set up our SPOT, which included a spare tent for feminine belongings for 4 women and had our first campfire.  Theresa (the one reading the park newspaper) had brought a huge load of wood for campfires and was an expert campfire maker.  To her right is her sister, Pat, and I and Cassie are to her left.  My sister, Sharon, took the photo.

When it got too cold to remain outdoors--temp headed for 37 degrees!--we retired to the RV, rearranged stuff and made our beds.  It was cozy but the mortorhome accommodated 4 sleepers with careful maneuvering inside.  One person snored lightly and one had a screamer nightmare.

The next day dawned sunny and windless and my early-bird sister and I took off for West Yellowstone 14 miles away to get coffee and internet, leaving the two late sleepers to awaken at a more leisurely pace.  

Our first wildlife sighting was a lone bull grazing next to Madison River, creating a perfect reflection in the still, awakening dawn.

The road is is a commonly used bison trail and, sure enough, we encountered wildlife on the road--bison and elk.  You can tell when bison/elk have been through--there is scat on the road.  Big Scat.  I was looking for the calves, but the mommy bison herd had not yet come to the area.  Just the big mean, hungry bulls.

Ahhh--finally snagged McDonald's coffee and internet.  McDonald's internet served about half of the town but did not offer a senior discount.  Sharon checked in with her RV Park Manager pro tempore, Veronica (or just "V"), for her daily update of RV park shenanigans.  Happily, there was little to report and we went in search of open shops and better coffee.

We soon located much better coffee than McD's!  Additionally, the small coffee shop had a few tables/chairs set up for bistro dining.

After having our fill of designer coffee, we went back into the park to join the late sleepers and begin our exploration of Yellowstone NP.

Rocky Mountain National Park..a sweet interlude

Rocky Mountain National Park...a sweet interlude

Realizing that I had a drop-dead date to meet the Girls for our Yellowstone holiday, I planned my trip with 2 extra days.  Normally, I plan some extra time, even if there is no schedule, to account for weather or unexpected diversions.

As it happened, the trip was trouble-free and the weather was lovely.   Cassie seemed unusually calm; perhaps that's because I started giving her tiny doses of Xanax.   Even the lovebugs were not as bad this year as in the past!  So, I found myself in Colorado with 2 extra days.  

I called my friends in Denver to see if they were up for some company but they were out of town.  Sorry to miss you guys but "who knew?"

So, I stopped to get my favorite "everything" large Pizza Hut pizza with the cheese inside the crust and got on my smartphone to find cabins that would take dogs near Rocky Mountain NP!

After several fruitless calls, two things were apparent:  1.  It was very late to get rezzies in most vacation cabins in a resort area at "my" reasonable price and 2. It was ridiculous trying to find one that would take a dog.

So, I called the Tourism people and they give me a list.  The first one on the list was McGregor's cabins about 1 mile from one of the Park entrances--and that is the one I booked for 2 nights!

They waived the stiff Pet Fee and were able to get me to my price comfort level.

I was greeted by an enthusiastic fella named Chris and Starbuck the Dog.










After signing up for a private jacuzzi later that afternoon, I retired to a relaxed sunnap on the nearby patio overlooking the continental divide.  Being in the heart of the Rockies, in the warm sunshine with a brewsky, is nearly paradise!

I was told that 30" of snow was dumped on the area the previous weekend so I used some leftover snow to keep my beer icy cold.

My little cabin is in the background.

Ahhhh...private jacuzzi with mountains in the picture window.  Just the medicine for achy driving muscles!

This is a photo from an old fashioned camera self-timer.  IT IS NOT A SELFIE!  (loathing that term)

Later, I made my first real fire and settled down on the LazyBoy recliner for some wifi and daydreaming about visiting the mountains the next day.

The entry road into Rocky Mountain NP.

The early stretch has a no-stopping section designed to protect big horn sheep crossing to the ponds on the other side of the road.




The day was mostly sunny with scattered showers and I met hungry roadside elk as I entered.

The sun soon emerged and I spent most time in the beautiful valley. Tthere are lots of unmarked side roads to explore.  This one took me to Beaver Meadows.

There, I let Cassie run off leash, as it was deserted of traffic and animals (no beaver in sight) and there was lots of smells for her to check out.

Next day, I went up the mountain, hoping that the weather would be sunny and clear--and it was.

 

Found a relatively clean snowdrift for Cassie to squiggle in (squiggle= wiggle + squirm)

She was already dirty and due for a bath, but after the squiggle session she was wet and dirty.

Finally arrived as close to the summit as permitted by roads --over 2 miles high.  I was breathless merely walking from the lack of oxygen.

Ridge Road had not yet opened.  I was following one of the snowplows up the mountain on their way to clear the road.

My next stop--unknown.  Near Yellowstone but far enough away to avoid tourist rip-off.