Tunnel Vision!

Jane here:

We came to Yellowstone on Monday. It was really tough to leave the Shoshone River. Ron caught his smallest fish (6”) and his biggest fish, a rainbow that was 23.5” long and 13.5” around, on our last day there. When I married him 42 years ago he carried a slide rule on his hip and wore a pocket protector. Now he carries a tape measure! Size does matter!

It’s amazing how you can drive 59 miles and the temperature drops 15 to 20 degrees. We had on our winter jackets last night. The vistas as you drive in from the east are beautiful over Lake Yellowstone. It was a blustery day. For a minute we thought we were on the Pacific coast. The lake was whipped up with white caps and breaking waves. We stayed in Canyon campground that night as it was one where we could make a reservation and then cancel it with no penalty after staying one night. We were in the tall pines and sites were fairly close together. It's always interesting to listen to the sounds of the evening. There were lots of campfires and the group behind us was playing a guitar and singing (nice). The people beside us were from Mesa, AZ, young like us, and were traveling on a motorcycle with a pull cart full of camping gear. They left Mesa in June and were also headed north from here. He actually knew some people I knew from the car business. The two gals across from us (said they were doing the Thelma and Louise thing) were from MN and one of their best friends has worked for Peggy's Dad for many years in the restaurant business. Small world. Have to be careful everywhere you go.

Our plan was to take off early Tuesday morning (we actually did for once - the early thing) and head for Slough Creek campground in the northern part of the park. We were lucky and got here before 9 A.M. which was perfect timing to snag a beautiful site. Of course, that means no electric; water, etc. but also few people. By a little after 10 that morning this little campground was full. The creek is like a small river and is beautiful. We watched as campers would come in and out often during the day looking for a site. We were smug! Not one of our better qualities.

Yellowstone is really well set up for the needs of campers. When we arrived at Canyon Campground in the afternoon we were able to do laundry and within walking distance were the village with info center, gift/tourist shop, restaurants, groceries, and tackle shop. There are about three or four of these centers in the Park. While Ron did laundry (his job) I walked over to the village center and picked up a few grocery essentials. Amazingly the prices for this captive audience were not inflated over what you’d find in a local town. I guess the National Park Service is not into ripping off its customers as any good private enterprise would do. When I returned to the RV Ron was coming with the laundry. Good job Ron! He said he knew there was a place there where he could get his Yellowstone fishing license so he was going to the village center. I suggested he might want to get some beer at the grocery store. When he returned – no beer! Said he didn’t find the grocery store. Could you????????????????????? However, he could find the tackle shop. Severe case of TUNNEL VISION wouldn’t you say?

More later, must nap!......zzzzzz