July 9 Day 15

Ya win some and ya lose some. Tonight we lost. I picked out a campground from the AAA book based mostly on the fact that it had shaded sites, a rarity in these parts due to the lack of trees. With the temps in the 90’s I figured that shade would be a bonus. We got a late start to the day and didn’t get to the campsite till almost 7. We’re in the tiniest, most cramped space imaginable. I can touch my neighbors on both sides with my outstretched arms. And no worry about a long hike to the bathroom. It’s less than 20 feet away out the back of the site. Oh, well, it’s only for one night.

We left the plains today and headed up into the mountains. We crossed over the Big Horn Mountains this afternoon, and I mean up and over and down. 14 miles of 10% grade going up. My truck’s first gear will never be the same. We got to the top, though, and found that the temperature had dropped 20 degrees and was now around 65 instead of 85. There was actually patches of snow on the ground! We gained around 5500 feet in elevation, and topped out at 9450 feet.

Heading down was another 13 miles of 10% grade. Now instead of worrying about first gear, I have to worry about my brakes. When we got all the way down and headed into Cody, WY (where we’re staying tonight) it was 91.

Tomorrow may be a fishing day, or we may head into Yellowstone, 52 miles away. Either way, we’ll be in the area for at least 3 days, barely enough time to sample a small bit of what’s to be seen here.

July 10 Day 16

We decided to stay another night in the dreadful campsite so we could have a day off to do things we each wanted to do. Cecelia rented a car and went back to Medicine Wheel, a National Historic Site. I, of course, went fishing.

I hired a guide at $225 for a half day (rather exorbitant, I thought), but the guy turned out to be very personable and knowledgeable, and was able to put me on the fish. We went to the north branch of the Shoshone River, not to far from here. We were using big flys and lots of weight, so it was totally different from anything I’d done before. The guy was also an armature geology buff, and was able to explain about the amazing formations in the area.

And yes, I caught some Wyoming fish. A couple of lake trout, a couple of nice rainbows, and my first ever Yellowstone Cutthroat. The “Cut” was around 20 inches and absolutely beautiful. They’re endangered and not at all common, so it was particularly nice to catch one…and release it, of course. The other fish went around 18 inches. I got back before Cecelia, so I’m writing this at our picnic table and watching all the tourists try to maneuver their 30 foot “campers” (read--mobile homes) into these tiny sites.

July 11 Day 17

Drove from Cody, WY, into Yellowstone today. The drive over had some of the most beautiful sights I’d seen so far….then we got to the park. OHMYGOD! Everywhere you turn, there’s something spectacular to look at. We saw herds of buffalo numbering in the hundreds, herds of elk numbering in the 30’s, and saw both right up close by the road. Went to Lower Falls, and got to see some geothermal sites and smell some sulfur, too.

Tomorrow we’ll head back into the park and visit Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful, and some of the other attractions. The next day, we hope to head down to Grand Teton NP, then it’s all north from there. We’re staying in a hotel tonight and tomorrow, as we didn’t think the prospects of getting a camp site in the park were too good.