Grand Teton did not disappoint. We’ve been here two times before. There were storms passing through when we arrived. The mountains still looked spectacular backed by the dark sky.
Gros Ventre Campground in Wyoming is where we landed for the evening. It’s in Grand Teton National Park. We will only be here one night. What an amazing show we had at sunset …
What a SPECTACULAR day of driving!!! Two National Parks in one day! We are taking the long way around to our destination in Colorado. No way will we ever drive that ‘no road’ section again in Wyoming like we did two years ago.
So a two day drive, six hours each, will become a three day drive, at approximately five hours of driving each day. What a wonderful experience and journey!
So worth it!!! This post will mostly be photographs. And just a note the road between Cody and Yellowstone … WOW! Part One will be Yellowstone National Park. And part two will be Grand Teton National Park.
Enjoy the journey with us …
Side note I got three passport stamps in Yellowstone and one passport stamp in Grand Teton PLUS four micro mini puzzles at Colter Bay in Grand Teton.
Interior Airstream: 64*
Exterior Airstream: 60*
Today we should have been departing but we decided we should stay one more day to give me a full day of rest before traveling. Rest means a trip to the laundromat and grocery store. And some cleaning inside the Airstream.
While at the laundromat we drove just down the road to grab a quick hamburger at the Red Box Car. There are no fast food restaurants here. We just needed something quick between loads of laundry. Bacon cheese burger, fries and a chocolate shake hit the spot. Also Tim met a guy who was stationed at the Orlando Naval Base.
After laundry we made a quick stop at the Beartooth Market to get a few groceries. Another fun activity! Later when we returned to the Airstream we had a tough time deciding on whether to go fly fishing or drive Beartooth Highway. Since we will be fishing in Montana we decided on Beartooth Highway. Elevation at basecamp is 5,800’.
Beartooth Highway is known as Americas most beautiful drive. When we departed from base camp it was close to 80*. At the base of the mountains the temperature was 76*. The high in Red Lodge was to be 83* today. It was 46* at the pass which stands at 10,947’. Last month they had to close this pass due to over 4 feet of summer snow. Beautiful scenery up here even above the tree line.
I didn’t take the best pictures up there but weather contributed to that.
Once at the pass the sky continued to darken, next came rain. Heavy rain … THEN … wait .. what is that?! Hail? Sleet? After talking to my friend Barbara, who lives in Montana, she called it slush. Then we noticed the 10’ height of the snow plow markers up there. Wow! While heading back down we passed many motorcycles driving in this bad weather. This highway is very popular with the biker crowds. I would not want to be out in this weather on a motorcycle!
Once back at camp it
was 70*. We had our family Zoom. Spotty reception with Dishy due to a very large 5th wheel next to us. Then once the wind calmed enough we enjoyed a campfire. Decided the vertical firewood holder that I made works and is a nice little gadget to have.
Tomorrow is a travel day!! It
will be nice to move into new territory!
Inside tent temperature: 57*
The sounds of everyone starting to pack up in the field began early. I had to get myself moving too. Tim was coming at 11 AM to fetch me!
Everything was soaked. I needed to get the tent unloaded to be able to get the tarp out from underneath so that it could dry. As far as dealing with the tent I needed to 180 it to expose the backside to sun.
While stuff was drying some of us walked to the Fire Department for their Pancake Breakfast! Donation based and the money goes straight to them. It was good … especially after a late night out. ;-) No one could remember what time we got back in last night! LOL
Tim came and got me as planned. I hated telling everyone goodbye. Absarokee Days and a parade were in the works too. However it was great to get back to Red Lodge and to my Airstream. Jett was super excited to see me. At least that’s what she made me believe. We did take her to a local dog park in Red Lodge today.
A nice hot shower felt really good. We were able to go to town for dinner at Bogarts. Saw one of my sisters (SOTF) there. Small town! Now to unpack and repack all the tent camping gear back to the front of the truck bed. At bedtime I had to take back my spot in bed! Jett happens!! Hah.
Hah. Not sure how cold it was this morning as I forgot to make note!
The week went by so fast. Like really fast. Can’t believe we spent four days in the welding shop. AND seven nights total in a tent by the time I depart.
Everyone got to be creative again today. Searching through scrap metal and making personal projects. I found a chicken feeder that I took the plasma cutter to. Then added some additional flower pieces from a chandelier. Everyone made some great projects!
With this being our last night we were treated to dinner at the 5 Spot. It’s THE local hangout along with the Chrome Bar across the street. It was great having us all together at one place before we all departed. There were ladies from all over the US … New Mexico, Vermont, Washington, California, Montana and of course Florida.
Before the night was over a few of us gals landed across the street. Glad that we all walked there! Good times!!
Bed time temp 63*
Finally home! What was supposed to be a seven hour drive became ten. We had a few stops along the way that added a little time. But it the...
