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Well, we didn't get moving until 11. I'm not sure why... it wasn't our accommodations that kept us as we were "roughing it" in a Super 8 but the GPS said it was only 3.5 hours to Cooke City so I thought: "what's the hurry?"
Well, it's Sunday in Yellowstone and sea of humanity has shown up. I stopped counting the cruiseamerica.com RV's as I still feel like we are on our own individual trip ignoring the fact that thousands of families are doing the same thing.
The hour long ride into the Teton National Forest was gorgeous so we took a lot of pictures because we had no idea what was in store for us in Yellowstone. There was tons of scenery, cliffs, falls and just as everyone was getting grouchy, we arrived at Old Faithful, had lunch and anxiously waited an hour for the 3 minute blow. I was fascinated to find out that we were sitting on an old volcano that was 10 times the size of Mt. St. Helens and that the magma was only 8 miles below the surface. Two other little geysers erupted while we were there also, so that was lucky and perfect timing.
After leaving Old Faithful we drove through the geyser basin and there were many aquamarine pools just gurgling and steaming away. Lily said they looked like "mermaid pools."
Nothing prepared me however for Mt. Washburn. Fist of all, the incline to 10000 feet was fast and without guard rails. On the ascent, we spent much of the time on the outside of the road so while Lily was asleep, Liam and I just kept looking at the mountain side not the cliff side. When we crested, we were on the inside so.we were able to survey the scene but still unable to take pictures. (I had both hands on the wheel and Liam was watching me watch the road).
The scene is almost indescribable. The mountain range immediately to the north was lower, and greener and descended to the most beautiful plateau to the east. Futher north and east in the distance stood the next group of much higher snow capped mountains that I presumed was where Cooke City was and the pass to Red Lodge. (Beartooth Pass). As we traversed to the southside of the mountain we were still without guard rails and it was scary looking down but it wasn't forest, it was hillside with the most beautiful wild flowers...all the way down to the Yellowstone River...yellow, purple and pink wildflowers....it was incredible. As we descended to the plateau we were in "bison territory" and sure enough, there were herds of bison everywhere! Right next to the road!
As we drove out of Yellowstone, we were alone on the road because it was now 6:30 and most people were pulling into their camping spots. A lone grey wolf came trotting down the road towards us and as I was yelling at Lily to get the camera it went up into the grass (even though we did our best to call it to us...think calling a dog). I stopped in the middle of the road and Lily tried to capture the image but we didn't do it justice. Afterwards, we were all acting like we had seen a ghost....or Jacob from Twilight.
We rolled into the old mining town of Cooke City and found our motel....a cabin! I found some provisions in the cute little country store that was built in 1880 and is still standing. They redid it tin 1915 when Yellowstone allowed car traffic but it still has the original cash register, apothecary bins and and storage containers. One says "gunpowder"! I immediately wanted to start taking pictures but the proprietor got nervous. He told me I could but he didn't want to be in any of the pictures....uh oh...not sure what that means but since he didn't look like the unibomber we had a couple of laughs and I left. I guess we really aren't "off the grid" but it's country and we are doing our best to look hearty and sturdy and not too touristy. There are also tons of motorcycle people around....all middle aged and very polite. I feel very safe.
Liam bought a fly fishing rod and has said that he is going to catch dinner. He also said that he feels that this trip has brought us all closer together (music to my ears) even though he and Lily continue to contradict each other all day. As I write this, he has just come in the door breathless saying that some white wolf was just running through the woods next to his fishing spot. Sissy has gone out with him to check it out and to make sure he doesn't get eaten.
They are now back and all is well. Off to the Miner's Grill for dinner...
Back from dinner and, again, as I was taking pictures in the old saloon with all the memorabilia, people started ducking from sight in the background. I wonder if they are all fugitives and in the witness protection program....note to self: Be careful when taking pictures while 'off the grid'.
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