9, 8, 7...... The countdown begins in earnest..........

Our time in Yellowstone is rapidly drawing to a close.  The general store is boarded up, the post office is closed, our propane station has one more day to go and the visitors center (the rangers) closes on the 30th.  But we still remain.  Why they would allow the campground to remain open when all the support services are gone is beyond me.  Starting tomorrow we will be closing some of our camping loops so we can gradually cut off campers.

Our grizzly has returned in earnest, as well.  I guess he wants his home back and can tell when things slow down.  We have been waking up to elk bugling lately.  One of the bull elk chased some campers the other day and even forced one of the camp hosts to back up his car.  In the spring the cows are super aggressive and now the bulls are having their turn.   Hormones in action..........

We have been trying to get in all the road trips we wanted to take while here.  A couple of weeks ago we went through the Lamar Valley and then did the Beartooth Pass.  It passes through the Beartooth Corridor, which has 20 peaks of 12,000 foot elevation or more.  The road is the highest in Wyoming at 10.947 and Montana at 10,350 and it is the highest elevation road in the North Rockies.  It has its own web site http://www.beartoothhighway.com/    That us where all my statistics came from..... I wouldn't want anyone to think I remember things like that.  It is a popular drive for motorcyclists and we had hoped to take ours, but the cold weather hit too soon, so we took the pickup.

On first day of our last weekend we drove south through the Tetons to Jackson for lunch.  WOW the fall colors were amazing.  There are aspens all through that area and they are in full fall dress.  They are just yellow and when the sun shines they are fluorescent.  There are lots of vine maple and others,  which I can't name, but it was spectacular.  Originally we had been debating which way to head, I am glad we headed south.

On the 2nd day we headed north.  I wanted to go through the Lamar Valley one more time.  The previous time we had seen a wolf, so I had hoped to see more wildlife.  We saw the usual elk and buffalo, but this time we did see some pronghorn antelope.  Dunraven Pass, part of the Yellowstone Loop road, was closed at the time because of a new fire in the Park, so we decided to take Chief Joseph Highway to Cody.

The Chief Joseph Highway is a road that goes through Cooke City but cuts off before you hit the Beartooth.  It appeared to be a short cut to Cody.  This road follows the route of Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce as they tried to escape to Canada.  Most of the road is open range so watching for cattle was our prime objective.  Why do they always want the grass right on the edge of the road when there is 1,000's of acres available?  This highway was a great deal more challenging than originally thought.  I was not a short cut by any means.  It was high with steep switchbacks (my personal favorite) and while we were on our way to the summit the clouds rolled in and temperatures dropped.  So we were driving in white fog and watching the temperature gauge drop to 34.  Our main concern was ice.  In one way the fog was a gift since it prevented me from seeing just how steep the drop off was at the edge of the road..... and why is it always on MY side.   My hands get sweaty just thinking about it.

When I started this posting we were 9 days from leaving, now as I finish it we are only 4 days away.  I have two more shifts, Bill has one and everyone works a half day on Sunday.  The campground manager is hosting a breakfast and an evening hot dog roast on Sunday.  Monday morning we turn our uniforms and IDs and then we are free to leave.  Everyone is busy cleaning RVs, trucks and reorganizing so they can head out first thing Monday.  Our weather has been perfect...now that our summer is almost over....75 during the day and in the 30's at night.

Some of the folks are heading back to their houses, others are moving on to other working positions.  The couple living in a 5th wheel next to us have accepted jobs at a campground in San Jose.  I had no idea San Jose even had a campground.  We have couples heading to Arkansas, North Carolina, Florida, California, Arizona, even Michigan.  We have met some great folks from all over the US.

So, now we head back to Washington for vehicle, 5th Wheel and personal (doctors and dentists) maintenance.  After that our plan is to look toward warmer climates...... but the one good thing about this life is that we are home wherever we are............

The last photo shows the posts that have been installed along side all of the roads here in Yellowstone.  It is to help the snow plow drivers know where the edge of the road is located.  Check out the height of these poles, that will give you some idea of the expected snow level..... 

WHERE'S THE EXIT!!!!!!

Hope all is well with everyone and maybe we will be able to visit with some of you soon!!!!!!

Love to all  

Bill and Cathy