September 10, 2016 Missoula to Glacier

Woke feeling better and packed up to head to Glacier National Park, on a Saturday with no reservations. No problem arrived at the campground plenty of spaces. About an hour later there were none left. Got a great spot right near McDonald Lake.

Beautiful day when I arrived mid 60s light wind. Went to check in at the Ranger Station for my kayak, checked on the weather. Was told that winter weather warnings’ were in effect tonight and tomorrow. Wonderful!

Drove around taking in the scenery finding places to come back to.

Since my back was continuing to cause some pain I went back and rested.

Hope to take the kayak out tomorrow, weather permitting.

It is beautiful up here.

September 9, 2016 Yellowstone to Missoula

Awoke to a nice but windy morning, I started to break down my camp. I was just about ready to roll up the tent when a gust of wind blew it apart. I chased everything down and took a deep breath stepped back and tripped over a rock. I fell on my hip and twisted what seemed like every muscle in my side.

I struggled to get up, finished stowing the tent and collapsed in the driver’s seat. I turned on the heating pad (front seat heaters) and left Yellowstone. I did not have any idea where I was headed. (No sprint service). I saw a Subaru dealer in Butte and pulled off to get my oil changed. Susan the serviceperson who helped me was great.

I continued on to Missoula where I was in such pain that I found a hotel with a hot tub, steam room, sauna and pool. I went to check in and started talking with the young lady at the desk, she eventually got my room price from 159+ tax to 103 including tax. I used every amenity available felt good when I finally got to sleep.

After more than a week I was finally able to post some new pictures and add to my blog.

Now I am behind again.

Good Night.

September 8, 2016 Mammoth

September 8, 2016

Mammoth

A very nice 54 degrees this morning, it rapidly dropped into the 40’s. It later climbed into the 50’s and in the sun was very warm.

Went back to Hayden Valley not much going on there. I drove back up the Lamar Valley Bison and Antelope not much else.

Came back to the campsite to rest and get ready to leave tomorrow. I am not sure where just going west. I heard there is a camera shop in Bozeman and I need to get a new lens cap as I lost one.

I should find a map of the western states, as GPS out here is intermittent at best.

Met some people from Little Compton Rhode Island, We both left Rhode Island on the 16^th of August and have pretty mush visited the same parks. They are also headed out to California.

Maybe I will be able to post all of these posts tomorrow.

Well goodnight I am watching my last sunset in Yellowstone.

September 7, 2016 Mammoth Hot Springs

September 7, 2016

Mammoth Hot Springs

A balmy 37 degrees this morning, up before dawn and out to the Blacktail Plateau. Not much going on with the wildlife today. There were some nice clouds so I went looking for landscapes.

After about two hours I gave up as the sun was to high to do much more until later in the day.

Went to the lodge and had a shower, the first in awhile, felt clean again. Then I went into town and found a Laundromat. I threw everything into the wash, so now I can start fresh.

Lazed around until mid afternoon and then went for an ice cream, Moose Moss, thin mint with chocolate bits and fudge woven in. It was very good and refreshing.

Went back to the Plateau and up the Lamar Valley some Bison and a Bull Elk was all I saw.

Tomorrow I will get up early and head back to the Canyon, see if there is more action over there.

The sun is down and the temperature is dropping fast, I think I will bundle up in my tent and stay warm.

September 6, 2016 Yellowstone Madison to Mammoth

September 6, 2016

Yellowstone Madison to Mammoth

It was the coldest morning so far. The rain from the late afternoon was frozen to my tent. Did not want to get up. The clouds had settled all around.

I packed everything up and headed to Mammoth.

Found a herd of elk grazing in the hazy morning clouds. Later in the day I found a few bison in different poses. That was it for wildlife.

Went to Cooke MT for some lunch. A real hamburger made with a real cow and some homemade chili to warm me up.

Actually after getting through the construction zone and just about reaching Mammoth the sun broke out and it warmed up nicely. We are supposed to have nice weather for the next few days although the nights will be cold.

I am at the very northwestern corner of Wyoming, Montana is a few miles northeast or North, depending on which way you travel.

So I have seen many people driving who should not have licenses. Most recently watch out for anyone with a Montana plate on their car.  They have not regard for speed limits, passing lanes or just about any basic driving procedure.

Today I had the pleasure of almost being runoff the road by a tour bus. He came around a 35 mph posted corner way over the speed limit. As I headed into the corner he came around with his front tire way over the double yellow line headed for my left front end, with the bus leaning over. I pulled as far to the side of the road as I could, there was no shoulder and about a 500 foot drop on my passenger side. I saw he tried to tighten his turn and get back to his side of the road, this resulted in the bus leaning further and the backend started to slide further into my lane. He barely missed me and I have no idea how the car behind me made it through.

I came back to the campsite and fixed a few things on my computer and read.

The sun is setting and I am going back to my book.