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Wednesday, September 1, 2010

AWSOME ROAD TO YELLOWSTONE

US 287 RAWLINS - YELLOWSTONE
US 287 RAWLINS - YELLOWSTONE

US 287 YELLOWSTONE - RAWLINS


BIG CAT THROWING MUD ON US



HEAVY EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENNT AT WORK




SOFT LIGHTING OF OLD FAITHFUL INN - YELLOWSTONE PARK





MUD RAIN & HEAVY EQUIPMENT






9 MILES OF CONSTRUCTION ON US 287 & US 26







OLD FAITHFUL INN CONSTRUCTION DETAIL - YELLOWSTONE PARK








OLD FAITHFUL INN - YELLOWSTONE PARK



















More than a year ago, I was all set to walk with SAM on US 26 from Idaho to Jackson Hole & Yellowstone, then South on US 287 to Rawlins. Today, I Drove that exact route in reverse; i.e., from Rawlins to Jackson Hole & Yellowstone.

Had I stayed with my initial choice, disaster would have been my reward.

The route is unbelievable beautiful. It is also nearly 200 miles of desolation...

SAM & I could NOT have succeeded to reach Rawlins.

A few days ago I was chatting with some Bikers (motorcycles) about mud and muck on a route up North. Many bikers dropped their gorgeous cruisers in foot deep mud, sometimes lying on top of themselves squished into the muck. Sounded just awful.

Today I drove through that mud and muck. Impossible for a biker to get thru unscathed.

US 287 joins US 26, climbing to nearly 9,000 feet heading to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone. A full 9 miles is fully torn up. Every type of large roadbuilding equipment works around the clock building a new high speed Roadway...the road is CLOSED most of the night to traffic .

Sporadically, a few civilian vehicles are convoyed thru. During my transit, I nearly stuck in foot deep mud and was sideways more than straight...all the while dodging an unending stream of earth working / moving equipment.

A MOTORCYCLE...never...NO THANK YOU...AND YET i saw at least two make it.

I have entered Yellowstone from the North

From the East

And now from the South.

I will exit tomorrow thru the West.

In my experience the ONLY read... O N L Y way in or out is via the North out of Billings, Montana. No steep hills...Services nearby, and main Yellowstone attractions immediately upon entering.

My trip up from Jackson took hours with near nothing to see along the way all the while climbing and descending the 8,000 + foot Continental Divide 3 times.

Tomorrow I will tour all of Yellowstone, taking lots of pics which I hope to upload into this blog.

Right now I am in the Balcony of the beautiful Old Faithful Inn listening to concert piano and two young Soprano Girls belting out Pop-Classical tunes...piano is 20 feet behind my chair.

Earlier I tried (3 times so far) and failed to find a room. So, I reserved a spot for early dinner. Ate Idaho Trout Amadine with Julienne of steamed veggies, Hot Buns, a large glass of Sauviogne Blanc finished with a double Brownie with 3 scoops topped with a full cup of creamy hot chocolate, hand whipped cream all topped by a single long stem maraschino cherry.

Trout was exquisite. Wine was a wee sharp. Veggies were NOT limp. Rolls were firm. Dessert was...well G O N E. All for $32.00. My Server, Danny, from Pocatello ( I walked right by his house a few weeks ago), was pleasant, efficient and helped me get this balcony writing table to do my computer.

I will hang here most evening & when folks move on, try to grab a few winks in the Van ...prohibited I am told, except in designated Park Ranger alloted spots....dear-o-me...here I go pushing the envelope once again.

Oh, by the way, Old Faithful Geyser is just out the Inn Doors. Will take it all in tomorrow.

I AM SAD, THO...I am allowed to partake of the best our World has...and yet, I AM SAD...without a "someone by my side...without a "someone to hold my hand...without a "someone" to share the moment...I AM TRULY SAD... It is all so unnecessary the absences...and moments like these once lost are forever lost.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Bruce,
Sounds like things have improved for you since we last talked. Take care of yourself and good things will come your way. You keep telling me without good health nothing matters. So, keep practicing what you preach! And be safe on your continued journey.
Love ya,
Your baby sister