Ron and Peggy Roloff

Bufflo

 Settle back, slow down and enjoy a ‘homeland safari’. Be prepared to drive 12 miles in 45 minutes as Buffalo block the roads almost as much as the “lookie lous” with cameras… we’re included in that mass. Two lane roads with hundreds of cars backed up with a ‘sighting’. Today it was 5 female Elk (cows) standing in the river near the roadside. How can you resist that? Problem is after we stopped for our 2 minute viewing and snaps the line going the other way was about 1000 cars! They were coming into the park at a massive rate today.. and it’s Tuesday! Another 3 miles and cars were stopped to view an eagle atop a bare-naked burned out tree along the river. Since he didn’t move the crowd didn’t stop long if at all.

From Geysers to Grizzlies. Like the title, we have seen all of these wonders of the wild (no Grizzlies but Elk). Steam from geysers all across the landscape confirm that indeed we are in Yellowstone, the nation’s first national park. We were here in 1970 on our cross country trip with our brood. That’s almost 40 years ago!! Old faithful is still spewing every hour or so. (Contrary to common belief it’s not exactly an hour. One day it was 90 minutes but the next an unusual 110 minutes. )

We arrived Friday afternoon after our lovely visit in Livingston, Montana. Just a few miles into the park and we saw a black bear in the meadow! (this piece is going to have lots of ! marks). We were heading to Fishing Bridge which had the only camping spot left to reserve for the night. We only stayed there once and moved to Madison on the West side where we could get in. It was FULL as the signs all said but there is always room for same day drive-ins. It’s a much nicer place with trees and others in tents not just RVs.

'Excuse me"

The temperatures were cool at 42F in the morning and 56F about 6 p.m. Sure glad I had stuffed a hooded sweatshirt in the back and Ron brought another woolen blanket. So with sheets, woven cotton blanket, our two sleeping bags open over us and Pendleton 100% wool blanket on top of that, we were totally snug as bugs in a rug. Getting out of bed in the morning was the hard part. I get up first and put on the tea kettle for our French Press coffee. Without electricity we are using our propane tanks and the battery for the trailer.  It works so well for what is called “dry camping’. We’ve learned quite a lot on this trip. A great way to travel if you don’t mind roughing it! No hot morning shower. I washed my hair at the outside shower today, Ron turned on the water to heat but it wasn’t quite there when I decided I’d wait no longer. At least the public bathroom (no hot water there either) had an outlet for a hair dryer. I feel so much better.  

Lilly is loving it too. I’m writing a ‘Lilly’s memoirs” as she has been such a trooper on this long journey. She has put up with dogs, cats and been put up and fed well. This is the life.

We’ve been to Old Faithful several times. Each is just a magnificent as the last. I wedged myself in between a woman from Spain (I asked) and a couple from Paris (I asked again). They were very friendly but when the benches are packed in the semi-circle around the Geyser with 3 or 4 rows of people standing in back, I decided that perhaps they just didn’t realize it was rood to leave your purse taking up a seat. Boy, since I’ve matured I am much more bold than I used to be. I cozyed up and thanked each one

Trying to shoot ourselves and Old Faithful

(they weren’t together). Then of course I began my queries. They were each so polite and friendly… no, I didn’t plan a trip to visit them!!

Filed under: Adventures, Northern states, Travels, US road trip on August 12th, 2009