Out West Day 22,...Wednesday, August 12, 2009...South to Yellowstone Lake

Last year, I only had a few days in Yellowstone, so my explorations were limited. Today, I decide to visit some areas that missed. My plan is to drive east to the Canyon area, then south to the Bridge Bay and Lake areas. I stop for lunch at the Yellowstone Hotel...a great sandwich of Italian ham, mortadella, fresh mozzerella, and balsamic vinaigrette on an Italian roll.
After lunch, I decide to hike the "Elephant Loop"...four or five miles in on a moderately easy trail. But...about a mile or two in, I come upon a large group of hikers heading out. You can't go in any farther, they tell me, because Park Ranges have closed the trail...bears. OK, I'm not anxious for a run-in with any bears, so I hike back out...I can come back tomorrow.
So, I drive further south to get a few photos of the lake...it's pretty...and BIG...the largest lake at this altitude in the world. I also run into more geysers/springs/pools...they're everywhere.
Lots of traffic heading back to camp, so it's late in the afternoon again when I return. It's a grilled steak, and boiled potatoes for dinner...with a few glasses of Chilean Carmenere for dinner...excellent. A few hours around the campfire...another great night's sleep.

Out West Day 21...Tuesday, August 11, 2009...Another "Photo Day"

If nothing else, I have slept well on this trip. With the exception of one restless night at Glacier, I'm in my sleeping bag (with the added cold-weather liner) by 10:00PM and sleep until 7:00 or 8:00AM.
I have some good "campmates" and some not so good. For the first few days, a couple from San Francisco and their son camp next to me. Their son, around two years old, has "pinkeye", but he's a pretty scrappy kid. They are planning to move to Poland next year, so we talk a little about Eastern Europe and my visit to Prague a few years ago. Tonight, I'm having my favorite "camping meal", Tandoori Chicken, and I have way more than I can eat alone. I see that the California couple and their son ar having a can of baked beans for dinner, so I invite them over for chicken...which they love, particularly the little guy.
Behind me are camped an ever-changing cast of cast of characters who are working as contractors for the local utility company. They've got a trailer parked on the site, and there's a new "group" every other day. They're very loud and stay up very late at night. They have brought their own wood which they pile in the fire ring, douse with copious quantities of gasoline, and set ablaze. Within five minutes or so, they're roasting hot dogs in the fuel-scented fire.
I spent the day today taking more photos. My plan is to spend time in all of the geyser basins shooting black and white as well as digital photos. In the morning, I spend a few hours close by at the Norris Geyser Basin before heading down to the Old Faithful Lodge for lunch. They have a pretty decent burger, so it's a good lunch. Then...off to Biscuit Basin as well as the lower and middle basins for photos.
Last year, I visited at the end of the season, so the crowds were relatively small. Not this year...it's jammed with people. Add in some significant road construction, and it's difficult and time-consuming to get around.
It's again late in the afternoon by the time return to my campsite, so I'm going with my "staple" for dinner...a grilled cheese sandwich with bacon...delicious!
A few hours around the campfire with a few glasses of Australian Cab before bed...another successful day.

Out West Day 20...Monday, August 10, 2009...Back to Mammoth Hot Springs...Lunch in Gardner

It's still cold this morning, but not as cold as prior mornings...40's rather than 30's. It's overcast, but no rain...yet.
I decide to drive up to the northern entrance to the Park at Mammoth Hot Springs (where I camped last year). I plan on going out of the Park to have lunch in Gardiner and get gas. Because of the rain and cold, I've spent a lot of time sitting in the Escape, reading with the heat on...so I've burned up a few gallons of gas.
The place where I had planned to have lunch, the Sawtooth Deli, is closed...and my dining options are pretty limited. I end up at a little pizza place for a good, but not great, calzone. After lunch, I fuel up and buy ice and firewood before heading back into the Park.
I spend the rest of the afternoon hiking around Mammoth Hot Springs and taking photos. This year, I have brought my old Canon AE-1 SLR camera in addition to my digital. I want to shoot a few rolls of black and white film which I think will work well with the bleached-out, steamy and barren landscapes at the different "thermal areas" in the Park. Obviously, I can't post the black and white photos, but you can see them when I get back. In the meantime, I shot a bunch of photos with the digital camera.
By the time that I finish at Mammoth, it's late in the afternoon. Back at camp, I open a bottle of Spanish Rioja, heat up some leftover Bratwurst with a batch of those great noodles from Indomie, and relax around the fir before bed.

Out West Day 19, Sunday, August 9, 2009...A Break in the Weather...A Short Hike

It's really cold this morning...temperature dropped into the 30's again last night...but at least it's not raining. I've planned a nice hike for today...drive down to Biscuit Basin and pick up the trailhead to Fairy Falls...four miles in/four miles out...and a nice view of the Falls.
I load my pack as follows...
Bear Spray
Bear Bell
10 Cliff Bars (energy/snack)
2 packages Cliff "Shot Blocks" (electrolyte replacement/energy)
5 packages Peanut Butter Crackers
2 Hershey Bars with Almonds
2 packages Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
Emergency Blanket
2 packages "Gourmet" Ramen Noodles
Titanium Pot/Cup
"Pocket Rocket" Stove and 2 canisters iso-butane fuel
Spork
Digital Camera
35mm. Camera and film
4 Bottles of Water
Swiss Army Knife
Insect Repellent
Sunscreen
By 10:00AM, I'm at the trailhead and ready to go. But I'm having difficulty finding the Fairy Falls Trail, and soon find myself on the trail to Mystic Falls...which I hiked last year. It's a nice hike, so I settle for that. Arriving at the Falls, I cook up some noodles for lunch, snap a few photos and hike out.
Back at my campsite, I relax with a few Margaritas and grilled Bratwurst for dinner.

Out West Day 18...Saturday, August 8, 2009...More Rain

It rained most of the night and, as I wake up around 7:00AM, it's still raining. It's also cold...really cold. My tent is covered with ICE!...in August! Talking to people later, I find out that this has been the wettest and coldest summer at Yellowstone in many years. It's already being referred to as "The Beginningless Summer".
So...no hiking today...it's another day of reading.

Out West Day 17...Friday, August 7, 2009...Norris Campground

I'm up at 6:00AM and on the road a little after 7:00AM. About fifteen miles or so into the Park, I realize that I do not have my cell phone...it's somewhere back in West Yellowstone...panic. Now I have to make an "Executive decision"...turn around and go back or continue to the campground and go back later. I opt to continue on to the campground. Arriving at Norris Campground, I am lucky to find a campsite right away. So, I register for seven days and start setting up camp. Once settled in, I head back to West Yellowstone. First stop...the "Dude", but no luck. So...back over to Bullwinkles and, fortunately, the bartender has my phone. I didn't see it the night before because it was obscured by many empty "Jaeger" shots.
Heading back to Norris, I've eaten up a good part of the day on my cell phone hunt. It's overcast and rainy (again), so I decide to just hang around my campsite and do some reading. Having finished three books already, I'm now on my fourth..."The Devil in the White City" about the 1893 World's Fair, and the struggle of the architect, Daniel Burnham, to put it all together (he was successful, and the Fair stamped Chicago as a "world-class" city).
Not much to report today besides reading, grilled cheese sandwich for lunch, and a steak for dinner.

Out West Day 16...Thursday, August 6, 2009...Down the Gallatin to Yellowstone...Dude, That's My Motel!

Another late night at the Eagles in Bozeman, so I'm moving a little slow this morning. By the time that I pack up and get on the road, it's early afternoon.
It's a beautiful drive from Bozeman to West Yellowstone along the Gallatin River, but it rains intermittently. I get to the Wes Yellowstone Park entrance around 3:00PM and find that all of the campsites are full...so...it's a hotel tonight. Swinging back into West Yellowstone, I find a room for the night at the luxurious "Dude Motel" where I have the following exchange...
ME: "Dude, you have any rooms available tonight?".
DESK CLERK: "You're in luck, dude. We have one room left".
ME: "Dude, I'll take it".
DESK CLERK: "You got it, dude".
After checking in and unloading, I head across the street to "Bullwinkles" for a few cocktails before dinner. Later, I walk further into town for dinner at Sydney's Mountain Bistro...a very pleasant place. I have a big grilled Ribeye with garlic mashed potatoes, a Caesar salad, and several glasses of a very good Malbec. Now full, I head back to Bullwinkles for a nightcap or two before heading off to bed. The Park Ranger at the gate recommended that I get to my campground (Norris) no later than 8:00AM in order to get a spot.