Yellowstone Adventure

July 18, 2014

Well today turned out to be quite a day.  We started out early and decided we would go to Yellowstone on our way home.  George decided this was a good day to let me drive.  Mainly because he got up too early and was tired.  I asked if he thought the mountains was a good place for me to learn to pull a 39 foot 5^th wheel.  He let me drive on 4 lanes for about an hour the other night but kept telling me “no” when I asked to drive again on the 4 lanes.  So here we are at the top of this mountain and I’m looking at the narrow winding roads thinking, “Really?  You won’t let me drive a four lane and you want me to learn here?”  I asked, “Do you really think this a good place for me to learn to pull this 39’ fifth wheel?  Guess what he said?  “You’ll be fine… it’ll be ok.”  So here I was, going through the mountains on a narrow road going down down down.  I didn’t really climb as much as I was going down.  They were the typical winding roads through the mountains with no guard rails and steep drop off.  The perfect place to learn you know.  But obviously George was right.  I did ok because I’m living to tell about it.  I pull into a gas station in Livingston just outside of Yellowstone to get gas.  I walked Toto while George got gas.  We left and went down the road and decided to get something to eat at a McDonald’s.  That when we saw we had been backed into.  Lot of damage to the backend.  Sooo we went back to the gas station and called the police and filed a report.  We found out they keep videos so the cops said they will look at it and call us tomorrow.  We lost 2 hours with that but we still went on to Yellowstone.  As we entered we didn’t have a clue what we were in for.  We didn’t notice any RV’s going in so we asked if we could bring one in and she cheerfully said, “Oh sure, lots of people bring them in.”  So no problem right?  We got in and after 10 minutes I’m looking for an exit.  Well guess what?  It’s a big frickin’ loop and no place to turn around with a 39’ 5^th wheel.  So once again, we figured; if old people could do it we could too.  So on we went.  I have to say it is truly one of America’s best wonder.  It is beautiful and something you should put on your bucket list if you haven’t already seen it. 
Here's a picture of George and I with our little dog Toto.  I took lots of pictures for him while he was driving.  I wouldn't let his eyes wander while he was driving but we did stop quite a bit. 

 

We actually got lost and didn’t know where we were in relation to the SE exit.  We saw all sorts of wildlife and crazy people, literally dozens, out of their cars trying to get a good shot of what appeared to be a grizzly.  They couldn’t have been more than 20’ from him in the trees and the roads were jammed.  I think I will look up exactly how many people are injured every year in Yellowstone.  I will also check to see how may go over the edge.  I have to say it was pretty tense.  It was 10 PM and we were ready to get out of there.  George was tired and when that happens, the Mario Andretti comes out in him.  I was pretty free with my warnings.  7% grades and no shoulders, narrow winding roads in pitch black and a tired driver.  No more midnight sun for us.  He’s going down one hill and comments, “hmm, this won’t go into 3^rd for some reason.”  I asked if it was in “tow”.  Oops!  I have to say I’m clutching the door handle and watching the road.  He always says everything is fine so those words never phase me.  I’m a backseat driver is full gear now and I don’t care.  It doesn’t matter how many times he says, “I see it,” or “I got it,” or “its fine”, I just can’t keep the words from coming out of my mouth.  I even told him he might as well give up trying.  In my opinion it seems to have worked because here I am writing all of this. 
 

Every RV Park was full, but we are seasoned boon-dockers and we don’t mind.  No use paying when all we are doing is going to bed.  We stopped earlier at a Flying J’s for a shower which is all we needed.  We have our refrigerator and battery lights and water so we were fine.  Weather is great.