July 13, Day 19

We actually got on the road before 9 this morning! We started the day off with another near-by elk sighting, then took in another geyser, then stopped at a picnic area beside the Firehole River and cooked a big breakfast over the Coleman at the picnic table.

Back in the truck, we headed south to Grand Teton NP, which borders Yellowstone. The Tetons are an amazing sight. I kept getting out to take pictures, then we’d move closer and I’d have to take more pictures… Got some nice ones, though. We crossed back and forth over the continental divide several times, and finally ended up on the Pacific side for good.

We’re staying at Gros Ventre campground, which is just inside the south entrance of the Park. So far it’s not very full, and we can just glimpse the Tetons through the trees. There are bear warnings posted all over the place, and a long list of things that can’t be left out overnight stapled to the picnic table. Cecelia wants to see one, but I think I could do without the experience.

It’s been hot all day today, in the 80’s, and was still 85 at 5 PM. The only saving grace is that the humidity is only 21%.

July 14 Day 20

It’s a good thing we got to see the Tetons yesterday, as a forest fire just south of Jackson Hole has put up so much smoke that they’re very hazy today. Some of the roads south of here have been closed due to the smoke. The first thing we did after heading out was to go over Teton Pass. Over 8000 feet at the top, and 6 miles of 10% grades again.

Today is a travel day. We had breakfast in Wyoming, lunch in Idaho, and supper in Montana. We crossed over the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River around noon-time, and I let out a heavy sigh at not being able to stop and fish it.

We’re staying in the Dillon, MT, KOA campground tonight and tomorrow night (you didn’t think I was going to drive right through Montana without taking a day off to fish, did you??!!) They have an internet connection, so I’ll be able to update the web page and get my e-mail.

I’ve purchased my fishing license, good for two days and will try my luck this evening on the Beaverhead River, which borders the campground. Tomorrow we’re working on an all day guided driftboat trip on the Beaverhead. Then it’s on to Glacier NP and Alberta, Canada.

July 15 Day 21

We spent the whole day fishing the Beaverhead River by driftboat today. The guide told us that of all the classic rivers in the area (Big Hole, Madison), this one had the largest fish. He said if we landed one in five, we’d be lucky. He was right. I landed two fish, as did Cecelia. My biggest to hand was a 17” brown, and the guide said that there were fish in this river that would have him for breakfast.

I did manage to latch onto, and play with for minutes, a couple of very nice rainbows in the 4 to 5 lb. class. Most of the fishing was with #20-22 nymphs and 4X tippet.

Although the guide’s fees bordered on usury, we both had a good time, and it’s one of those special things you only get a chance to do once in a very great while.

Cecelia called and was able to reserve a campsite for us at Fish Creek, inside of Glacier NP for tomorrow night. It will mean a full day of driving, but we both wanted to stay in the park for our last night in the US for a while. Glacier NP has more grizzlies than any other park besides Denali. Hope they don’t feel the need to visit us!

July 16 Day 22

We put on over 300 miles today, more then is our usual, but made Glacier NP around 4 PM. We’re staying at a campsite inside the park, and it’s very nice, but there’s something wrong with staying at a place called glacier when it’s 93 degrees out!!. Bear warnings are everywhere, and I know from my reading that there have been many attacks and several deaths due to bears in this park.

Tonight will be our last in the lower 48 for some time, probably at least 6 months at least. We cross into Alberta, Canada, tomorrow.

One of the biggest reasons to come to Glacier NP was to drive through it on the only road in the park. The vistas and views are said to be spectacular, and are the whole reason for the park. I knew vehicles over 8 feet were prohibited from the road, cause it’s very steep and winding. I’ve been worrying about that for a couple of days.

Coming in, the ranger had her doubts about taking the campa over the road. I measured it when we got settled at the campsite, and it’s 8 feet, 7 inches wide with the lift jacks. They also said that any vehicle over 10 feet in height may have problems due to the rock overhangs, and the campa is 10 feet 6 inches. Long story short, I think we’re going to have to go around the park and miss some of the most extraordinary scenery of the trip.

Hold everything…Cecelia just talked to a guy who has a truck camper, and he’s going to do the road, but is leaving at 6 AM to avoid traffic so he can make wide turns. She talked me into doing the same. Stay tuned!