McGaffs On The Fly

Riddle me this…if we left Colter Bay in the Grand Tetons and drove 113 miles to Gardner MT, why did it take almost 4 hours to get here? Answer…numerous stops and a speed limit of 30-45 mph the whole way, I feel like I just drove around the moon and back. The wondrous views made the trip well worth it, but the dramatic cliff drops and Joanie’s ahhhs and ooohs scaring me at every turn will make my sleep tonight well deserved and oh so delightful…can’t wait.

For the price of free; we were able to see more bison (this time on a cliff), a few mountain goats, several elk laying on the lawn in Mammoth and an elk drinking from the stream along the way. Still need to see that darn bear so I can use my bear spray…starting to think it was a waste of $49.99.

Just arrived at our home for the next 3 days in Gardiner, MT and looking forward to trips into Yellowstone and visiting cities in Montana. Current temperature here is 85…these poor people are about to pass out, this heat streak is terrible. Low tonight of 48, I hope we can hold on.

Taking a walk near our campsite…

Joan: “should I ask if they want me to take a picture of them?”

Marc: “no, remember social distancing”

Joan: “yes, I guess things have changed forever”

Marc: “not really, it’s always been kinda gross to touch someone else’s cell phone or camera”

Joan: “is it that or you just don’t like to talk to people?”

Marc: “oh yeah, there’s that too”

Another great night and day for the novice campers, still learning and taking notes for our next adventure. Yesterday we took a boat ride across Jenny Lake and hiked about 3 miles to the top of Inspiration Point, not even a blip to the top of the Grand Teton. Still, altitude gets the best of you and the further up the slower we climb…going down is much more enjoyable. We brought a lunch for the trip and sat by a waterfall to eat…so peaceful.

Today we unleashed our bikes from the back of Little Al, brought them better use them, and drove close to Jackson and rode in. Pretty short trip there at only 7 miles but the wind and altitude made it a workout…another packed lunch in a park near the city. The local geese made the walk to a table treacherous because of land mines…them little birds sure can take some big poops!

All set for our next stop, leaving in the morning for Yellowstone…”don’t touch that window Joanie!”

After a leisurely 4 hour drive, we made it to the Grand Teton National Park safely. I know there are a lot of beautiful drives around the world, but this has to be one of the best I’ve ever seen. If it were up to Joanie we would stop at each and every scenic overlook, historical marker, rest area and turnout along the way. In this case I actually gave in to a few, not all but a few. Along the drive we were able to see bison, antelope, prong horn, wild horses and old fat dudes pulling their rv’s admiring the sites right beside us. Oh the wonders of nature.

One thing that he have noticed in all of our stops is that although the pandemic is raging all around us there are an extraordinary amount of people out and about. And quite a few folks from Europe, Mexico and Asia…seems they didn’t get the memo. Good news is that in their case they know this is not a political statement and obey societies rules. We pretty much stay away from all.

Today we plan to take a few hikes (can’t get enough) and find some places we can use our bikes…maybe even a nap. Message of the day from all camp counselors here (and a few Rangers)…”watch out for bears, they have been active”. Now I know why Joan has been practicing her sprints with Kate, she knows she just has to beat me.

We decided to take a road trip, yes I know, and headed to Vail yesterday to see what the rich and famous were up to. It’s been close to 40 years for me to visit, Joan’s first time, and wow has it changed. The highlight was the Betty Ford Alpine Garden and the wonderful display of flowers and foliage we were able to walk through. When I say we, I mean Mrs Green Thumb (Joanie)…I found a great spot in the shade, but I did hear it was pretty awesome.

We wrapped up our visit to Leadville yesterday by taking a great hike on the Turquoise Lake and watching people fly fish on the lake. Apparently we can’t get enough hikes in and at 10,000 feet it’s more like a workout.

This morning we left on our trip north to Wyoming, about a 5 1/2 hour drive to Rock Springs. We saw such beautiful wide open spaces and quite a bit of wildlife on the drive, and not many cars. Thank you Silver and Little Al for getting us here safely.

Only here one night before we head to the Grand Tetons, temperature almost homelike at 88 degrees with a Texas like wind of 25 mph. How do people live in this heat, we are so ready to get to the cooler weather we have become accustomed to?!

Made it safely through the mountains and arrived in Leadville mid-day to set up our next camping adventure at the Sugar Loafin Campground. Seems to be a nice campground, although a little rustic, and on top of that they allow dogs as long as they are good campers. There were a few bad campers last night, wonder if they were kicked out.

The good news at over 10,000 is that you get to camp in the summer yet the temperature tells you it’s winter. Pretty cool to have the heater kick on starting about 8:30pm…48 degrees will make it do that.

We’re starting keep a list of what we need to do for our next adventure as it relates to what to bring, what to fix on Airstream and again…what not to bring. Top of that list would be “why does ac inside of trailer leak water”?. It’s certainly not condensation since only the heater ran, could it be from the heavy rain we got last night? More to come, hope we don’t get any more rain.

Still doing our best to social distance and Leadville makes it so you don’t have a choice, masks required everywhere. We are ok with that and in fact when people find out we are from Texas they all take a step back. So we got that going for us.

Heading to Vail to check out the mountains…

For the last two days, it’s been more of the same…pickleball, hike, pickleball, hike. Not only has it been a lot of fun, but we always reward ourselves with a big Pagosa Burger. You know that the calories don’t count when on vacation, right?!

So Joan and I, led by peer pressure, decided we better start thinking about phase two of our travel plans. The Ray Manor has been a great stop, if a week can be considered a stop, but time has come to move on.

With 20 days left in this adventure, we’ve planned to wake up Little Al and leave Sunday to start our move north. We have plans, only 10 days worth mind you, to visit Leadville, Co, Rock Springs, WY, the Grand Tetons, then on to Gardner MT where we can visit cities and sites in MT. Can’t wait, these are parts of the country Joanie and I have never seen.

That’s it for now, unless you want to hear the story about the VRBO renter that thought “no animals” meant “ok for dogs, really big dogs and two of them”. Ok, I guess not…back soon.

Great evening weather and great friends makes for a great time, we couldn’t be any happier staying at the Ray Four Seasons Resort. If you are lucky enough to be invited, be prepared for full tilt action and planned activities for your entire stay…be sure to plan that nap time up front or the activity will engulf your time and no napo for your weary bones.

We spent an evening happy hour on the Jackson Mountain Rd at the secret spot. If you ever want to go then just proceed to…ha, kidding, it’s a secret. Great views with an abundance of wildlife highlighted by a mamma turkey leading her 6 baby chicks across the field…awwww.

Yesterday we played in the new game taking the nation by storm for the “mature” adult, pickleball. Hint, stretch before you play because those quads will be screaming at the end of the games if not. The game is a little like tennis with a ping pong twist, easy to set up and easy to play. Not sure why my legs keep telling me otherwise.

Slow day today (yea right) with Paul and Donna coming in at 1…hope there’s time to do something when they get here at 3!

Life in the fast lane with the Ray’s is full speed ahead and always on the go. Yesterday Dick and I climbed the Crater Lake Trail and I found out that high altitude sickness is real. Turns out I’m fine at 11,999 feet but that one step forward to 12,000 is a killer. Lots of water and rest, almost back.

I lied, I was healed almost immediately when Dick murmured, “golf anyone?” Wonderful weather at about 65 all day and fun round of golf, I’m back!

So my man cave at the Ray’s was broken into last night about 10:00 when I got the call, “Marc, come pick me up”. Turns out one of the ladies had to go to the emergency room for some issues (update, she’s getting better) and Joanie needed to come here since they would depart early.

Good news, my sweet sweet wife is back where she belongs. Bad news, my corner to corner sleeping is officially over. Oh, the good ole days.

Out to that hidden spot on the mountain for happy hour, pictures to come.

After dropping Joanie off at Kaylane’s with all of the “girls”, I headed back to Dick and Brendas to stay with them. It took me about half a second of grief to get over missing her when I crawled into my king size bed and immediately took over every corner. I still miss her but I don’t miss the spider monkey she turns into when we sleep in the small Airstream bed.

I woke up the next day to 50 degree weather and the fan blasting that cool air into my room, how awesome is that for late June?! Great day for a hike.

Dick and left early for the their Blanco cabin to try out some new trails he had heard about. We set off on “the City Slicker” trail without knowing where it went or ended. We assumed by the name it had to be easy, how can that assumption go wrong?

Turned out our assumption was right, after about 3 miles we ended up on private property (Dick knew him) and walked back to the cabin a mile away.

Great day and beautiful weather here, why is all I can think of that big bed waiting for me…hope Joanie’s having fun!

One of the things we wanted to experience when we took to the road was meeting new people from all over the US. Our neighbor at the park also had an Airstream so I migrated to him for lessons and tips. Turns out he and his wife are from a crazy little town called New Braunfels…about 25 minutes from our house, what are the chances? His wife Kathy gave Joan a dream catcher when we were leaving for good luck. Even better, John was sporting a great pair of knee pads that turned out to be the best tip ever…so helpful with trailer, and you never know when a volleyball game might break out in the 55 and older parks!

We ate breakfast at a great place called Tune Up Cafe then got in a little exercise before heading back to meet our 11 am checkout. On the road at 11:30, close enough.

What a great ride to Pagosa other than the extreme amount of traffic with a bunch of cars with blinkers on. Joanie is usually so calm and collective but I gotta tell you, she didn’t like those darn (not the word she used) slow cars with the blinkers on. After about 15 miles stuck behind these nimrods the second lane opened up and were able to pass, turns out the lead car was a hearse…OOPS. Joanie’s going to hell!

So Little Al made it all the way and boy is he tired, not sure how he feels about RV parks either…he’s kinda uppity. One thing we did find out, he’s a little bit of a celebrity. Apparently, if you’re pulling an Airstream and you see another one you are supposed to honk and wave. Al loves the attention and I’m not gonna lie, it’s nice to be one of the cool kids.

So we parked Al at Dick and Brenda’s to give him a break and we’ll see where we go from here…plans to leave in about a week.