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.

Since Summer of 2013

Since "Summer of 2013"

Since I last blogged in 2013, a few things happened--mostly bad, I'm afraid.  Forgive me; this post won't be so entertaining.   Blogging sometimes acts as a "Dear Diary".

The situation in my community in Lake Wales, FL--Saddlebag Lake Resort-continued its downward spiral into chaos.  The elected representatives are controlled by an abusive and secretive Management Company--and all are in cahoots with a commercial business which has trespassed on common property in violation of County Land Planning and the Deed Restrictions.  Additionally, this Terrible Trio attempted to force upon all owners a mandatory assessment for the benefit of this business and its investors.  All hell broke out, but the Members defeated the attempt in an election and the corruption was held at bay.  Unfortunately, many believe that this greedy and obnoxious group will attempt it again next year.

The second thing that happened is that my lawsuit was filed in Polk County.  Of course, I got a lot of propaganda flack and hatred directed at me by the Board and Management company--sewing fear and confusion among owners about the "Armageddon" coming to the community because of my lawsuit.  This hate campaign  makes living in the community temporarily uncomfortable but is inevitable and ya gotta roll with it.

To counter some of the misrepresentation and to further factual communication about ALL issues in the community, I set up a Forum for Residents to share and discuss information.  Needless to say, that makes me a target, too--so I have a target painted on BOTH my cheeks!

Another bad thing happened; my friend, Kate, who I have been friends with since 1974 and is my age, died suddenly of a treacherous lung cancer.  She was a non-smoker and her friends were shocked.  It overcame her in less than 2 months and her friends are still in shock.  RIP Kate.


Then around Thanksgiving, my nephew, Drew, was suddenly sickened with a violent and painful condition.  Admitted to a small local hospital, he remained undiagnosed despite two robotic consultations by experts in SanFrancisco.  He was subsequently hospitalized several times for excruciating pain and remained burdened with debilitating fatigue and rapid and extreme weight loss.  After conducting a huge battery of tests by a specialist in Sacramento, a presumed diagnosis was reached, though there had never been a patient at his age (33) with the diagnosis and he is somewhat of a medical mystery.  Drew is now making plans to relocate to Sacramento be near his specialist and high-tech hospitals.

A good thing, however, did happen!  My sister, Sharon, who has been in a miserable marriage for many years, found  a friend!  I am so happy for her.  She visited me in Florida (from California) and seemed like a new woman, having lost weight and shopped for fashionable clothing!

The other good news is that I have many very good old and new friends in Saddlebag who help me keep my head screwed on straight and are lotsa fun.  If I am lucky-and I often am- friends will invite me out to dinner or over to their homes for some hot food occasionally.  Most of you know I am a hazard around heated appliances in the kitchen due to 1. disinterest and 2. inattention of the various tasks of food preparation so I rarely use heat devices.

So, all this bad news fills in the times since my last Blog.  Wish it was better but as they say "Nobody promised you a rose garden".