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Sunday, the 26th we decided to go to West Yellowstone and check out the town. The town reminds me of a scaled down Gatlinburg, TN. There were a lot of small shops, several eating places, and numerous motels. We headed up to Yellowstone Park to see if we could see the Grizzly. There was one spotted about seven miles into the park eating on a buffalo carcass. The bear had been there several days and you could see it from the highway. Unfortunately we did not see it but we were able to see several elk and buffalo within a few miles after entering the park.
This is the birthing season for the buffalo and we were blessed to be able to watch a buffalo in the process of giving birth. She would stand up, walk around some, push some and then lie back down. We waited for quite a while for the newborn to come, but I told Cindy buffalo are just like women, when they decide it’s time they will have it, and there’s nothing that can be done to speed up the process. Had it not been so cold and snowing so hard we would have waited, but a woman who works in the park told us it could take up to 2 more hours for the birth to take place. She explained to us that when a female is giving birth all of the other buffalo will lie on the ground close to her and will remain lying down until the mother gives birth. Cindy did spot a newborn lying in front of her mother and we were told it was about a day or two old.
We headed back into town due to the snow and the visibility. We headed back to the camper and decided to stay put for the day. By the time we returned we had accumulated another 4 inches or more of snow. While eating supper Cindy spotted something out the window and we were excited to see some buffalo walking through the campground. By the time they came around they passed by right in front of the camper. We counted 14 plus a couple of young ones. For those of you who know how much I do not enjoy snow, I will have to say that there is nothing as peaceful and rewarding as sitting in a camper in the middle of nowhere, (with several feet of snow on the ground) watching buffalo walk right in front of your face.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Yellowstone
Friday we took a drive on the highway leading into the north entrance to Yellowstone. The rest of the day we just hung out in Livingston. Saturday morning we packed up and after cleaning ice off of the slide out (with a borrowed ladder) and headed to Bozeman. You know no matter how much time you spend planning things sometimes you forget the essentials. Take for example the ladder mentioned above, we had snow boots laying by the door, naw don’t need them it’s gonna be summer time. If you have read the blogs you know that 15 inches of snow in Denver one should have boots, 10 inches in Montana one definitely should have them. We did go buy some before we left Livingston. Thought we would buy snow shovel (just in case it decided to snow again) SOLD OUT at Walmart. Ice scrappers SOLD OUT ! We did however manage to buy a ladder so I can brush off the snow and ice (just in case it snows) with my hands.
We left Bozeman and headed down to West Yellowstone to meet up with Vickie, our new boss. The campground we are hosting is still buried under snow but Vickie’s husband plowed out the one at Bakers Hole, located just 3 miles from West Yellowstone. They asked if we would mind staying there until they were able to open Lonesomehurst . We said that was fine for us that I was kind of a hermit anyway and this is right up my alley. Now if you look at the pictures included you will notice the roads going through the campground. We will have the place to ourselves for the next week; I say to ourselves but let me explain our other guests here. Currently the Buffalo are birthing and they will be roaming through the campground as they please. Next we will have the pleasure of accommodating any Grizzly’s that feel free to enter in. The picture of the sign taken at the entrance pretty much explains that. Now the only other guest that might cause some concern is the wolf. After setting up camp, we took a walk around the cg with Vickie. I noticed some footprints in the snow (not old prints but fresh prints) and asked what they were. Well, she tells us that it is the print of a very large wolf, the print was around 3-4 inches in diameter (maybe bigger), but for us that was large enough to be concerned.
We opened up the curtains to have a nice view and are really anxious to see some of the wildlife (from a nice safe distance). It’s now dark and we are getting ready to call it a day. One other thing I forgot, the relative we have out here, Peggy, we happened to mention her to Vickie and she tells us that she not only knows her but they are friends, how about that for a small world! Hope everyone is enjoying the blog and we are looking forward to posting some nice photos of this beautiful country that we are blessed to see.
We left Bozeman and headed down to West Yellowstone to meet up with Vickie, our new boss. The campground we are hosting is still buried under snow but Vickie’s husband plowed out the one at Bakers Hole, located just 3 miles from West Yellowstone. They asked if we would mind staying there until they were able to open Lonesomehurst . We said that was fine for us that I was kind of a hermit anyway and this is right up my alley. Now if you look at the pictures included you will notice the roads going through the campground. We will have the place to ourselves for the next week; I say to ourselves but let me explain our other guests here. Currently the Buffalo are birthing and they will be roaming through the campground as they please. Next we will have the pleasure of accommodating any Grizzly’s that feel free to enter in. The picture of the sign taken at the entrance pretty much explains that. Now the only other guest that might cause some concern is the wolf. After setting up camp, we took a walk around the cg with Vickie. I noticed some footprints in the snow (not old prints but fresh prints) and asked what they were. Well, she tells us that it is the print of a very large wolf, the print was around 3-4 inches in diameter (maybe bigger), but for us that was large enough to be concerned.
We opened up the curtains to have a nice view and are really anxious to see some of the wildlife (from a nice safe distance). It’s now dark and we are getting ready to call it a day. One other thing I forgot, the relative we have out here, Peggy, we happened to mention her to Vickie and she tells us that she not only knows her but they are friends, how about that for a small world! Hope everyone is enjoying the blog and we are looking forward to posting some nice photos of this beautiful country that we are blessed to see.
Friday, April 24, 2009
We took off from Chatfield campground on Wednesday morning headed to Buffalo, Wyoming. I found out that pulling 11,000 lbs plus with a Ram truck is fine when you’re in Indiana. When one pulls the same unit thru northern Colorado and Wyoming it is a totally different story. We were doing pretty good coming out of Colorado, but when we hit Wyoming we also hit head winds that played a major role in me stopping for fuel more often than I wanted to. I was able to run the 60mph I was planning on till I hit the wind. Boy what a difference a little wind makes. I was able to run 50+ with overdrive off till I hit one of many long steep grades, then down to 45+. I was beginning to think the ole Ram was dying on me. We really had no idea how strong the wind was until we stopped for fuel and the dust bowl kept us from seeing each other. We spent the night in a cg between Casper and Buffalo.
Next morning was a totally different story. No wind we ran 65 most of the way with the cruise on. Everything was fine till we got into the Big Horn Mts. Area. Leaving Sheridan Wyoming heading west to Bozeman, Montana we had good times and we had some bad times. There were a lot more steep grades with head winds really hitting us hard. We got as far as Livingston, Mt and decided to stop. We stopped not because of the wind but a major snow storm decided to greet us 30 miles before we got to Bozeman. We got the camper pulled in, opened it up and came inside. The last time I went out to the truck there was at least 3-4 inches of snow on the ground. For now we’re staying put and will wait and see what the next few days brings our way. Everything is going great and we’re having a great time. Even camping in 3-4 inches of snow can be an adventure. One thing is for sure, we aren’t going to change it. It’s Thursday night about 8:30 and I was going to put this online except it’s snowing so hard I can’t get a wifi signal. Maybe tomorrow!
Well its tomorrow and we woke up to 8-10 inches of snow. Went to the library , which is where I’m at now. Gonna send my pics and update the blog. Be here for a few days then heading to West Yellowstone.
Next morning was a totally different story. No wind we ran 65 most of the way with the cruise on. Everything was fine till we got into the Big Horn Mts. Area. Leaving Sheridan Wyoming heading west to Bozeman, Montana we had good times and we had some bad times. There were a lot more steep grades with head winds really hitting us hard. We got as far as Livingston, Mt and decided to stop. We stopped not because of the wind but a major snow storm decided to greet us 30 miles before we got to Bozeman. We got the camper pulled in, opened it up and came inside. The last time I went out to the truck there was at least 3-4 inches of snow on the ground. For now we’re staying put and will wait and see what the next few days brings our way. Everything is going great and we’re having a great time. Even camping in 3-4 inches of snow can be an adventure. One thing is for sure, we aren’t going to change it. It’s Thursday night about 8:30 and I was going to put this online except it’s snowing so hard I can’t get a wifi signal. Maybe tomorrow!
Well its tomorrow and we woke up to 8-10 inches of snow. Went to the library , which is where I’m at now. Gonna send my pics and update the blog. Be here for a few days then heading to West Yellowstone.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Well we get up on Friday to find snow, not 10 inches but a good covering. Actually it’s quite beautiful looking out over the snow covered mountains the first thing in the morning. We hang around the campground then head into Randy and April’s house in the afternoon. The weather forecast is now calling for anywhere from 10-20 inches of snow between Friday morning and Saturday night.
Connor and Dylan came home early from school due to the snow so we got to visit with them in the afternoon before Randy got home. We have supper then we all agree that maybe Cindy and I should spend the night with them due to the snow coming in. We head back to the camper, pack up some items and return to Randy’s house to spend the night. It worked out well because we get to stay up late and visit (some of them stay up late).
Saturday we wake up to find around 10 inches of “wet snow” has fallen and it’s still coming down pretty heavy. April tells us this is the first “wet snow” they have had. She said it’s normally so dry you just sweep it away, so I explain to her that we thought they might like an “Indiana snow” so we brought it with us. Went to eat at the Texas Roadhouse, then back to the house to spend another night.
Sunday morning we wake to find more snow, by the time it was all over they had received somewhere around 13-15 inches, (what’s the difference in an inch or two when it’s that much). Sunday afternoon it started warming up and by the end of the day it was around the 60’s. We learned that the snow doesn’t last long around here; it melts off very quickly when the temps start to climb. Randy drove us down town to his office and gave us a tour of where he works. We found out if you choose 17th avenue on a GPS that it will not take you to 17th street. After driving around downtown Denver I now know why Randy rides the train and is able to get off a block away from his office. Randy and April took us out to eat at a Mexican restaurant and the only problem we had was we ate toooooo much. Later that evening we went to Maggie Moo’s to eat ice cream, like we needed it. The boys came back to the campground and spent Sunday night with us.
Monday we went walking around the campground and just hanging out with the boys. The temp climbed into the 70’s and it was a very beautiful day to have with the boys. We took the boys back home and played some games. I learned that I cannot bowl on a Wii. Randy invited us to come eat lunch with him on Tuesday. We decided that we would spend the money for the train (versus driving in the mess) and ride it to within a block of his office. He emailed me the train route so we are planning on going downtown Tuesday mid-morning and walking around a while, then joining him for lunch. After all the eating the past few days, we thought a few hours walking around downtown would not hurt us.
We found our way to the train station, bought our ticket and headed downtown to meet up with Randy for lunch. The ride was interesting, or at least the people on it, and only took us about 25 minutes to reach downtown. We got to spend lunch with Randy at a corner street vendor eating “Southwest Buffalo Brats”, actually a very interesting brat. We then walked down 16th street mall, a street lined with every kind of store you would want to visit. Randy showed us the Union Station where he catches the train to return home. After a while of walking around downtown he had to go back to work so Cindy and I continued sightseeing some more. We then boarded the train back to the station and headed back to the campground. Randy and family are coming out tonight to eat hot dogs over the campfire and to say our goodbyes. We ate the dogs, smores and had a good time visiting. You would think that after all the goodbyes and see ya laters it would get easier, well guess what, it doesn’t. We said our good byes and this time instead of us driving off and shedding tears, we got to stand and watch them drive off. Yea you guessed it, the tears still came, only thing is I didn’t have to worry about filling my eyes with them and not being able to drive. We sure do love all of our family and miss being able to see them all the time, but the flip side is we sure are proud and happy that all of them are doing well in life. Tomorrow its pack em up time and head north to Wyoming. Destination: unknown!
Connor and Dylan came home early from school due to the snow so we got to visit with them in the afternoon before Randy got home. We have supper then we all agree that maybe Cindy and I should spend the night with them due to the snow coming in. We head back to the camper, pack up some items and return to Randy’s house to spend the night. It worked out well because we get to stay up late and visit (some of them stay up late).
Saturday we wake up to find around 10 inches of “wet snow” has fallen and it’s still coming down pretty heavy. April tells us this is the first “wet snow” they have had. She said it’s normally so dry you just sweep it away, so I explain to her that we thought they might like an “Indiana snow” so we brought it with us. Went to eat at the Texas Roadhouse, then back to the house to spend another night.
Sunday morning we wake to find more snow, by the time it was all over they had received somewhere around 13-15 inches, (what’s the difference in an inch or two when it’s that much). Sunday afternoon it started warming up and by the end of the day it was around the 60’s. We learned that the snow doesn’t last long around here; it melts off very quickly when the temps start to climb. Randy drove us down town to his office and gave us a tour of where he works. We found out if you choose 17th avenue on a GPS that it will not take you to 17th street. After driving around downtown Denver I now know why Randy rides the train and is able to get off a block away from his office. Randy and April took us out to eat at a Mexican restaurant and the only problem we had was we ate toooooo much. Later that evening we went to Maggie Moo’s to eat ice cream, like we needed it. The boys came back to the campground and spent Sunday night with us.
Monday we went walking around the campground and just hanging out with the boys. The temp climbed into the 70’s and it was a very beautiful day to have with the boys. We took the boys back home and played some games. I learned that I cannot bowl on a Wii. Randy invited us to come eat lunch with him on Tuesday. We decided that we would spend the money for the train (versus driving in the mess) and ride it to within a block of his office. He emailed me the train route so we are planning on going downtown Tuesday mid-morning and walking around a while, then joining him for lunch. After all the eating the past few days, we thought a few hours walking around downtown would not hurt us.
We found our way to the train station, bought our ticket and headed downtown to meet up with Randy for lunch. The ride was interesting, or at least the people on it, and only took us about 25 minutes to reach downtown. We got to spend lunch with Randy at a corner street vendor eating “Southwest Buffalo Brats”, actually a very interesting brat. We then walked down 16th street mall, a street lined with every kind of store you would want to visit. Randy showed us the Union Station where he catches the train to return home. After a while of walking around downtown he had to go back to work so Cindy and I continued sightseeing some more. We then boarded the train back to the station and headed back to the campground. Randy and family are coming out tonight to eat hot dogs over the campfire and to say our goodbyes. We ate the dogs, smores and had a good time visiting. You would think that after all the goodbyes and see ya laters it would get easier, well guess what, it doesn’t. We said our good byes and this time instead of us driving off and shedding tears, we got to stand and watch them drive off. Yea you guessed it, the tears still came, only thing is I didn’t have to worry about filling my eyes with them and not being able to drive. We sure do love all of our family and miss being able to see them all the time, but the flip side is we sure are proud and happy that all of them are doing well in life. Tomorrow its pack em up time and head north to Wyoming. Destination: unknown!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Well I was right, the next 3 weeks flew by and here we are starting our adventure. First we decided to let Aaron and Laura use some of our stuff, such as a couch and recliner that weighed in around 500 lbs combined weight. Add those items and some shop tools we had a load to take to him. All went well until the “loading part”, by the time Cindy and I loaded up everything we were ready for a week’s vacation doing absolutely nothing. We then headed to Aaron and Laura's house to visit and drop off the load of stuff. Thankfully we had two more people to help us with the unloading. By the time we finally took the couch and recliner to the basement I offered to sell everything to them on the 50 year plan, just so I would not have to go through all the back aches again. Unfortunately they did not take my offer serious or they just love to endure pain in moving furniture. After a nice but short visit we said our tearful goodbyes and headed home.
The next weekend we went and visited with Cindy’s father and brother and delivered more furniture to their homes. I know your thinking we must not have anything left in the house, well you’re pretty close in being right. We celebrated our Easter dinner with them on Sunday , April 5th, at Golden Corral. Went back to the house and had a nice visit with them and then said our goodbyes.
The following Tuesday we had the pleasure of going out to dinner with all of my brother and sisters so they could bid their farewells to us, and just to let all of you know we were very appreciative of the offer to do this. We had a very nice evening with all of them. On Wednesday the 8th the funeral home had a pitch-in lunch for us. I officially got out of the funeral home employment on Monday the 6th. I will have to say leaving the people I have worked with for the past 5 1/2 years was a lot more difficult than leaving the people at Chrysler (with the exceptions of a few). I have enjoyed working with everyone there and I can tell you that I will miss them all very much. My oldest son Jim and his family is going to move in and take care of the house for us. Well guess what, on Wednesday afternoon he came down with a Penske truck loaded with their things. Thursday morning early we got up and unloaded the truck, (and I thought I was done moving things and having a backache).
Cindy and I left home on Thursday afternoon with more tearful goodbyes and headed to Wichita to spend some time with David. We planned on visiting him Sunday thru Wednesday, his days off. Well sometimes well made plans do not always happen. He called us a day or two before we left, only to tell us his boss was transferred to Ohio and he had to manage the store for the next two weeks by himself. We arrived in Wichita on Friday and went to his apartment to see him (he took some time off to meet us there) Oh, I forgot to tell you we had one more opportunity to move furniture. We delivered his bed he left behind in Indiana, queen size mattress and box springs, headboard and rails. The next few days we spent whatever time was available for us to see him. We headed out of Wichita on Wednesday with more tearful goodbyes, bound for Denver to visit Randy and his family.
We arrived in Denver on Thursday, April 16. We got the camper set up and here we are ready to visit for a few days before leaving for Yellowstone. Oh, I forgot to tell you, Randy calls when we were just getting ready to enter Colorado. He wanted to know what our time of arrival might be. We received the good news that Denver was expecting around 10 inches of snow in the next couple of days. Well I get online and find that tonight maybe 2-4, Friday up to 10” and Friday night maybe another 4-6. I guess we get to see what its like to camp in Denver in the middle of the winter. Well its now 10:40 Denver time, gee thats 12:40 in Indian and I'm still up. Until next time its “On The Road Again”
The next weekend we went and visited with Cindy’s father and brother and delivered more furniture to their homes. I know your thinking we must not have anything left in the house, well you’re pretty close in being right. We celebrated our Easter dinner with them on Sunday , April 5th, at Golden Corral. Went back to the house and had a nice visit with them and then said our goodbyes.
The following Tuesday we had the pleasure of going out to dinner with all of my brother and sisters so they could bid their farewells to us, and just to let all of you know we were very appreciative of the offer to do this. We had a very nice evening with all of them. On Wednesday the 8th the funeral home had a pitch-in lunch for us. I officially got out of the funeral home employment on Monday the 6th. I will have to say leaving the people I have worked with for the past 5 1/2 years was a lot more difficult than leaving the people at Chrysler (with the exceptions of a few). I have enjoyed working with everyone there and I can tell you that I will miss them all very much. My oldest son Jim and his family is going to move in and take care of the house for us. Well guess what, on Wednesday afternoon he came down with a Penske truck loaded with their things. Thursday morning early we got up and unloaded the truck, (and I thought I was done moving things and having a backache).
Cindy and I left home on Thursday afternoon with more tearful goodbyes and headed to Wichita to spend some time with David. We planned on visiting him Sunday thru Wednesday, his days off. Well sometimes well made plans do not always happen. He called us a day or two before we left, only to tell us his boss was transferred to Ohio and he had to manage the store for the next two weeks by himself. We arrived in Wichita on Friday and went to his apartment to see him (he took some time off to meet us there) Oh, I forgot to tell you we had one more opportunity to move furniture. We delivered his bed he left behind in Indiana, queen size mattress and box springs, headboard and rails. The next few days we spent whatever time was available for us to see him. We headed out of Wichita on Wednesday with more tearful goodbyes, bound for Denver to visit Randy and his family.
We arrived in Denver on Thursday, April 16. We got the camper set up and here we are ready to visit for a few days before leaving for Yellowstone. Oh, I forgot to tell you, Randy calls when we were just getting ready to enter Colorado. He wanted to know what our time of arrival might be. We received the good news that Denver was expecting around 10 inches of snow in the next couple of days. Well I get online and find that tonight maybe 2-4, Friday up to 10” and Friday night maybe another 4-6. I guess we get to see what its like to camp in Denver in the middle of the winter. Well its now 10:40 Denver time, gee thats 12:40 in Indian and I'm still up. Until next time its “On The Road Again”
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