day two

We started the day early, well kinda. We left Bozeman around 9 am and headed for Yellowstone. Tourist travel is insane at this time of year. When we arrived at Mammoth Hot Springs it was so crowded we couldnt even park to go closer to the site. We went on to Tower Fall in search of critters.



We went to the normal attractions in Yellowstone. Since it was so hot there were not many critters out and about. We saw a moose, two mule deer and one elk. That was rather disappointing. There was an evil thunderstorm that came up and prevented us from seeing Old Faithful burp. Yellowstone is an amazing area, too bad it is in Wyoming.



Before I explain why I don't like Wyoming, I have to say it was all going well until we talked o Eddie. Yes I am blaming him for putting a curse on my day. Someone needs to whack him upside the head (Becky) with a loaf of bread.



We decided to exit Yellowstone out of the East Gate. Zack, being intellectually challenged in the area of reading warnings about constructuion projects, missed that there were 30 minute delays out the east gate. So off we went. We got behind a trio of cyclists who for some odd reason didn't like the idea of going fast on loose gravel. So we got to spend an hour in delays. Then it was welcome to Wyoming.



As the evil thunderstorm chased us across the state, Zack decided to call EJ. Enter the curse of Eddie. He tells me to watch for deer. Zack decides that afte reading the map, we should go over Alt 14 to get to Sheridan Wyoming. It would put us there are 11 pm. If you travel in July- make reservations...



So here we go- the phone goes kaput, the road turns into the pass from hell. Sideways wind, hail and thunder and lightning shows. I have to mention that while Eddie warned us about the deer- he neglected Bambi's friend Thumper. Until you have been charged by a enraged rabbit- during a thunderstorm you cant understand. Each time we crossed the goofy cattle grates, another rabbit tried to run under my wheels. Now we have wind, rain and rabbits to contend with. Add to that Zack talking about a rabbit being attacked by a lawnmower....



Alt 14 is not a good choice for travel. It goes up and up and up. there is a section near the top that is falling apart. nasty area. There are road damage signs all over. There are no houses, no cars no lights - nothing for miles and miles. Then those who built the road find the necessity to have you slow down to 40 mph in towns of 40 people. Someone has a sense of humor.



Sheridan arrived with one hotel vacancy. A 90 + degree room with a confused air conditioner. It was not cooling anything. 75 degrees outside but 90+ inside. So we passed. Six hours later in Spearfish South Dakota- 4 am we went to sleep.



Thanks Eddie for the hex. I have never seen roads like those. We saw one deer- he had a cup of coffee and was rather irritated when he saw Zacks NC hat.

Pics.. http://picasaweb.google.com/mkb3123/Yellowstone