McGaffs On The Fly

Just a couple of days left before we get home and I’ve come up with my “top 5” from our first trip in Little Al. Hopefully I can get Joan to do the same tomorrow.

In no particular order.

1. Santa Fe, New Mexico. Great start to the trip; the city is clean, crisp weather and at this point not too overflowing with tourist. We liked the RV Park (adults only) and had a great time in the city.

2. Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Great times with great friends always makes a difference but Pagosa is pretty great all by itself. We were busy the whole time with pickleball, hikes, dinners and golf.

3. Grand Tetons. The best part of this segment was being able to camp inside the park. We saw plenty of wildlife but the highlight was the large fox running through the park with a rodent in its mouth. Also got to purchase that bear spray, made me very aware of my surroundings.

4. The Badlands. We only took a one day trip there but it was memorable, it’s hard to believe a place like this exist so close to us…seems like we would need a space ship to get there.

5. Yellowstone. The beauty of the land is only surpassed by the abundant nature inside of it. We were able to see bison, elk, a bear, sheep and plenty of other wildlife. Best part, we were not in any news story about stupid Texans getting too close to animals…I had to keep an eye on Joanie but we did stay in the car.

Update. Two days late…got to figure out Wifi hotspot for next trip?!

Today we just…drove.

Heading back to Texas; nothing against Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma but really couldn’t find anything interesting to see along the way we haven’t already seen…so we just drove.

With over 2,000+ miles already on our trip, I was pretty happy with the fuel consumption I’ve been getting…a very reasonable 12.3 mpg. And when you figured all of the mountains we climbed up and down that’s pretty darn good. That was until we met the monster winds (20+mph) in KS and OK…down to less than 10 mpg through this stretch.

I bet you’re asking, “hey Grandpa Jones, are you seriously talking about mpg, what has become of you”? …all we did was drive today!!!

Just stopped at the Windstar RV Park across the OK border before heading to Dallas in the am. The casino is packed, think we’ll pass.

Heading to Dallas to see baby Fi…

On the way out of Custer what would we come across but another National Park. And guess who wants to go see it…right, my trusty sidekick?! This one happens to be the 7th longest cave system in the world, Wind Cave National Park. Again we were unable to visit the cave because of that nasty virus sweeping the nation, but, Joanie was able to get her book stamped adding to her collection. She has collected quite a few stamps along the way even forgetting to ask at many places, and in a short time is winning the nerd competition in our two person race.

We did drive for about 8 hours today and find ourselves in a great little RV Park near York, Nebraska. Plan is to see what we want along the way and arrive in Dallas on Sunday.

When Al Gore invented the internet it would have been nice if he notified South Dakota so they could have signed up, the slow service here is starting to cramp our style. All of my backgammon rivals are complaining too, they have no one else to help run up their score.

Today we made the 2 hour trip to The Badlands to check out what that was all about. Along the route we had to stop at the Wall Drug Store, apparently if you are a true tourist then this is a “must see”…and the million dollars in billboards also demands your presence. If you are looking for free water, 5 cent coffee, big cake donuts, and lots of c r a p to take home with you…look here, they got it.

The Badlands turned out to be a big surprise that we were not expecting. This place is off the charts with a crazy type of geographical surface somewhere between Big Bend and Mars. If I were an old outlaw this is where I would have gone to hide…until I saw the sign about rattle snakes. We took the loop around the entire national park and enjoyed every turn…now at Mount Rushmore Brewing Company, that drive made us really thirsty.

As we continue to experience the RV life, Joan and I are more than happy with our travels and our 19’ world. We have, however, started to question the rating system on some of the RV parks that we have chosen. In most cases we didn’t have a lot of choices, but it always seems we should have picked the one across the street. At this point we have received all of our money back (in discounts) for the KOA membership card…may be time to try another. Live and learn, I’m sure we never will.

Today we drove the 3 + hours to our next destination of Custer SD, most of the way on highway but the last 10 through the mountains. We made a stop at the Jewel Cave National Monument along the way but unfortunately it was closed. Fortunately for me though, as the third longest cave in the world with over 200+ miles of tunnels I know that Joanie would have picked this as Marc’s last stand. Not on purpose, I’m sure, but her desire to not miss one square inch of the caves would have been my demise.

This evening we made the trip to Mt Rushmore. While most of the parks we have visited so far have closed around 5pm, this wonderful American treasure doesn’t close until 9pm. Although not as big as I had envisioned, it was even more stupendous than I could have imagined. And to think that it was started in 1927, wow! I can’t even draw a stick figure where people would recognize what it is, these geniuses did most of this work with dynamite…I lose again.

Sitting at the Custer KOA drinking a red beer in 67 temp…life is good.

Today it happened. Joan and I were hiking on a remote trail, should have been around more people, when we came upon some sort of carcass recently killed. Although we knew better, we walked up close to it when IT happened. Out of the corner of my eye I could see a big black hairy beast rambling our way at breakneck speed. With the grace and dexterity of a Wild West gunslinger, I pulled the bear spray from my holster and aimed at the great beast…

Just kidding but we did see a bear!

Today we spent the early morning visiting the city of Mammoth and going to the hot springs to the south of the city. They have done a great job installing a boardwalk around the springs which allows close up viewing…and smelling if you know what I mean. Pretty interesting views, not like old faithful but still cool.

The rest of the day we spent in North Yellowstone which was recommended to us by a Ranger, he correctly described it as the “Serengeti of Yellowstone”. Although remote in location, the visitors that were there would stop their car whenever a sighting occurred…no matter where or who was behind them. And of course we did the same running from our car to watch for elk, wolves, bear or any other wild animal that would walk by. You’ve seen those pictures on USAToday where someone is getting way to close, well we didn’t but we did see many that were. No mauling, bites or goring today…just our luck, we go to a bullfight and the matador wins again.

Best of the day; thousand of bison on the river bank, multiple pronghorn sheep, and our first bear sighting. He was actually close to the road feasting on a dead animal, couldn’t get close enough to see what it was but I know someone could have told us.

Great day, tomorrow to Bozeman, MT. Heading to town now to get a bison burger…you know, just to remind them who’s in charge.

PS…I’m taking bids on my bear spray, starts at $19.99.

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?!