RVThereYet

Monday, August 29, 2011

The Road to Gillette

Cody to Buffalo..

Wednesday, we pulled out of the campground about 8:20am…Other than a few bumpy spots due to road work, it was a smooth and interesting ride… The first half was boring but then, the scene changed….

DSC_0004 DSC_0005

The roads became very curvy and we went up, up, up….   DSC_0026

DSC_0031

DSC_0032

Until we reached an elevation just over 10,000 ft

DSC_0046  DSC_0050

DSC_0034

Before long, it was time to go down, down, down….  

DSC_0048

    DSC_0057

DSC_0043

And not long after we got to the bottom, we were all tucked in to Deer Park Campground in Buffalo, for one  night.

Buffalo to Gillette….

Thursday we got off to a good start towards Gillette. It was an easy drive. We arrived at  the Camplex with no lines. After parking, we all headed up to get ourselves checked in. Later afternnoon we had a staff meeting and happy hour, and got to catch up with old friends..

Let the Escapade Begin!!!

Since then, it has all been a blur. We have had more meetings, staff dinner, more happy hours, lots of hugs, entertainment, seminars, shopping, dinner out  and oh ya, work!!! We have been sharing the duties of Hospitality and the Popcorn booth, with Mac and Lynette.  We have kept quite busy, which is why no pictures..I hope to get a few in the next few days!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Cody, Wyoming

We left Island Park last Thursday morning. It was a really neat drive through Yellowstone..

     DSC_0037

 DSC_0060 DSC_0076 DSC_0082 DSC_0085  DSC_0088    DSC_0100

Look at this house..

DSC_0104

We arrived at Yellowstone Valley Inn &  Campground shortly after noon.

DSC_0105

Barb and Bob, Barb and Roger and a new couple, Don and Susie were already at the park.  Mac, Lynette, Chuck & Kathy and John and Bridget arrived later afternoon. It was great to see everyone and get caught up on what has been going on with our friends.

Although the campground is all gravel, we are surrounded by incredible beauty..

Behind our site..

DSC_0179 DSC_0183

Across from us (Don & Susie’s site)

DSC_0186

Across the road…

DSC_0173

Out our side window at night…

DSC_0166 

We have kept busy seeing some sights, but have also chilled out and visited, had a few happy hours, dinners and card games..

Buffalo Bill Dam & Visitor Center.. 295 ft down in the Shoshone River…   DSC_0114 DSC_0115 DSC_0119  DSC_0125

The tunnel…

DSC_0135

The Old West As It Really Was…

DSC_0137 DSC_0140

The Old West in miniature at Old West Tecumseh’s Village.. DSC_0159 DSC_0160

DSC_0161

The popular Irma Hotel, where a gunfight takes place outside every evening..

DSC_0164

Tomorrow morning we will head to Gillette, to attend and work with staff for the Escapees Escapade.  Several couples left today, as they have to start a day earlier.  We are looking forward to this event, that our friends Bob & Molly are directors for this year. They sure have been working very hard to make this a huge success.  Can’t wait!!

Monday, August 15, 2011

Hitch Itch and a Birthday

Well it has really hit us all here.. Hitch Itch, that is..We are ready to roll on. For some reason, this has been a very long month. Once you see the sights of Yellowstone, shopped several days in West Yellowstone and driven around the surrounding area, there just isn’t much to do. We are in dire need of grocery’s from a big store and a nail salon, lol… Kevin has even done all the cleaning he can do!

 DSC_0001

Saturday, we did have a reason to celebrate. It was Kathy’s birthday.. Chuck treated us all to dinner at a rather different place for us all. 

 DSC_0005DSC_0004

  The birthday girl..listening to a Happy Birthday song..

DSC_0007

We had lots of tapas…starting with a cheese and meat plate. That was followed by meatballs, chicken, shrimp and a very tasty potato, egg dish somewhat like a quiche..

Sample of the meatball dish…

DSC_0008

We all left with full tummy’s and headed back to the park for cake and ice cream…

 DSC_0013 DSC_0014

Thanks Chuck for treating us to dinner and Thanks Kathy for having a birthday, and letting us celebrate with you!!  Hope you have many, many more..

DSC_0024

DSC_0019 DSC_0022

LIG

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Exploring More of the Area

We had a few more sights to see, so Mac, Lynette, Kevin & I headed down the road to visit Johnny Sack Cabin Big Springs..

This log cabin and wheel house, was built by this German immigrant, starting in 1929,  and is now a landmark in the Island Park area.

DSC_0039

Johnny Sack’s…

DSC_0017

Everything was made by him and primarily out of hand tools…

 DSC_0028 DSC_0025 DSC_0026 

Beautiful handcrafted work..

Outside the springs were so crystal clear.. This is one of the 40 largest natural springs in the world.  It is said, that it produces over 120 million gallons of water each day.  Wow….

DSC_0004  DSC_0006

And home to rainbow trout, muskrats, and ducks…

DSC_0036 

On the way home, an ice cream stop on the river, was in order..

DSC_0040 DSC_0043

A great day with friends…

On Tuesday, Kevin & I started out early to drive over to the Earthquake Area…where in 1959, one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded in North America, struck the Madison River Canyon…

We visited the visitor center, where you can still see the impact it had ..

DSC_0065 DSC_0067

DSC_0059

Fianlly, there is new growth.

When 80 million tons of rock crashed down into the canyon, it blocked the Madison River. The water backed up behind the rocks and formed Earthquake Lake, pictured below…

DSC_0064

DSC_0071

Further down the road we drove past Hebgen Lake, where the land under it tilted upward…Many people who were vacationing, were trapped.

The area has been rebuilt and once again, being enjoyed by many…

DSC_0108 

We detoured on a dirt road following the river, hoping maybe to catch some wildlife… DSC_0078

DSC_0081

Only saw this momma and her baby….

DSC_0087 DSC_0093 DSC_0101

We were home early afternoon, and just in time for a card game with the gang…. Another great day!