Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my......

We left Mt. Home for Yellowstone Park on Monday, Labor Day, about noon. We spent the night near Rexburg at an RV park that was close to the highway, but perfectly adequate. It was situated lakeside, however fishing was not allowed since the lake is owned by someone other than the RV park owner. But the boys were able to ride their bicycles around for a while and that was an adequate diversion after a half day of driving.

Our campsite in Grant Village Campground was just fine. There were no hook-ups, but we were right next to the bathrooms, and we could drive the car just a short distance to a building that housed dozens of showers. So six of us boondocked for four days, and we still had fresh water and holding tank capacity when we left.

We are partial to the park campgrounds that DO NOT have hook ups just because the sites feel more rustic and parklike. Fishing Bridge and the other campgrounds with hookups just look like a parking lot with big motor homes tethered to their cords and hoses. I would recommend Grand Village if you want to stay in the Park.

We saw bison on several occasions, a bald eagle in flight, a moose cow and her calf, and several groups of elk. We heard the bull elk bugling as we sat around the campfire in the evening. The only bears and wolves were in captivity – more on that later.

The boys tried fishing in Yellowstone Lake, but no luck. Apparently, it is very difficult to catch fish anywhere in YNP. But they seemed to have a good time just seeing the animals, Old Faithful, and many of the hot springs and geysers. They each went through about four disposable cameras so they should have some memories from all those photos.

There is a bear and wolf exhibit in West Yellowstone so we visited there before entering the park. All the animals (about 6 of each) were orphaned or abandoned and then rescued. They are enclosed in a very natural setting, and it is very enjoyable to watch them. On their way home last Saturday, the boys stopped again, and were able to go out and hide some fruit and kibble for three of the bears before the bears were let out for the day. Revel and Stoke (love those names) and Spirit apparently quickly found the hidden treats.

We have been to Yellowstone Park several times, including when our kids were young, but it was a special delight to view everything again through the eyes of Warren and Nolan. Grandpa and I had a great time.

We headed north last Saturday as Brian and Sheila turned south for Mt. Home. We stayed in Anaconda at a Passport America park that is right down the road from Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. Although we did not avail ourselves of the hot springs, we could have, and they are accessible 24 hours per day.

On Sunday, we drove north from Anaconda towards Phillipsburg and Drummond. Philipsburg, once a mining town, has done quite a good job of making itself appealing as a tourist stop. There were some cute shops and interesting little places to eat. Some mining barons must have made the town their home at one time because there are some beautiful big brick houses scattered around the town.

Just as we were approaching Drummond, we had to stop and wait while a herd of cattle made its way across the road. That is the second cattle drive we have seen on this trip, complete with folks on horseback!

Monday and Tuesday nights were spent in Kalispell. We were only able to drive 16 miles into Glacier Park because of snow. I wasn’t surprised because there was a dusting of snow across the upper half of the Mission Mountains. In the afternoon, we drove out to Little Bitteroot Lake to look at the property that Keith and Janet bought last year. All was in order, and there are 2 new homes going up on either side of them.

I could happily live in Montana, preferably on a lake, for the good weather months and then go south for the winter. Though varied from place to place, I find most of the western half of Montana very appealing. Unfortunately, so do a lot of other people, and real estate is dear.

After our two days in Kalispell, we went on to Spokane and stayed overnight with Rod and Karen Sprague. It is great that they live in the country and have lots of room, so no problem finding a place for the MH. A very good RV resort complete with dinner and breakfast! We had a good visit, and made plans to rendevous later this month at Pacific Beach after they attend a rally in Leavenworth.

Now it is time to do some thorough housecleaning in the motor home and catch up on laundry. But that is not such a big job that I couldn’t be ready to be on the road again tomorrow.

I am seeing more evidence of fall here in western Washington that I did on the rest of the trip. Our big maple tree is turning color as are some of the other trees and shrubs. And there is a bit of a nip in the air.

Cooper was happy to see us since he is home alone all day while Craig works – and I’m sure it felt good for Craig to go home and sleep in his own bed last night. He is coming up for dinner after work tomorrow. And one week from tomorrow is his last day at Babbit Neumann Construction. He is starting a new job on Monday working for an L&I contractor managing claims and claimants. The money is better, the hours are better, and the benefits are better. So we wish him well.

Colleen called this week to crow about the fact that the temperature in Phoenix had dropped to below 100. She said it was scary to realize that she could actually tell the difference. She emailed today to say that all was going well with the new job.

Ciao