Well, here it is Friday, and I still need to tell you about what's been happening since Sunday. When we awoke on Monday, it was yet another beautiful day. We had planned on an over 200 mile trip, but a couple of us we'nt quit up for it, so we all hung around West Yellowstone. They have a GREAT bear and wolf exhibit in town. They have taken about 10 Grizzly bears and 6 or so Wolfs that were all slated to be destroyed and have saved them. It is the Bear and Wolf Experience. A non-profit group that has built a very nice area for the bears and wolves to survive. Not quit the wild wild, but they do their best. Very nice exhibits inside the building and a ver nice movie theatre with some good documentaries. All of us spent half the morning there. When we got back to camp, we started looking at the calander and realized that we were slated to leave the next morning. We all thought we had another day there. We hurridly took the buggies and found a spot where we could get some nice clean pictures taken, as we had planned on getting T-shirts made with a transfer that had the 3 buggies on it. We did find a place, got some good pictures, picked out the one we wanted, and took it to the T-Shirt shop in town. We all picked out the T-shirt that we wanted, and the lady said to come back at 7pm. So we went and did some shopping (Cathy found a BEAUTIFUL cow hide at the local cow hide shop. She is going to use it to decorate their new house. We went and ate at a place called Bullwinkle's. Really good food and it was a good place to go to for our last evening in Yellowstone. We then went and picked up our shirts. All look good. Will try to post a picture when someone takes one. As far as I know, no one has taken any pictures the last 3 days, but if I find some, I'll post them.

Tuesday dawned beautiful as usual. We loaded everything up and headed toward Bozeman, MT with the planned stop at Missoula, MT for the night at Jim nad Mary's RV Park (we had reservations). When you leave West Yellowstone toward Bozeman, you run through one of the most beautiful canyons. It seems like you're dropping alltitude the whole way. The road started out by following a stream, but by the time you get outside of Bozeman it has turned into a raging river with lots of folks doing rafting trips. Other than the beautiful scenery, the trip was uneventful. We made it to Missoula, unloaded the buggies, and made the trip into town for dinner at the local Cracker Barrel. Diana and I were the only two that had eaten at one before, so the others were surprised at the gift shopping and the food. It was all good. Drove the buggies back to camp, poured a Wild Turkey and sat around and talked. Yet another good day.

Wednesday we got up and headed to Cabello's in Post Fall's, ID. There are these incredibly beautiful mountains going across the pan handle of ID. We need to go back for a weekend and check them out. Dennis, Cathey, Tony, and Laverne had been itching to go to Cabello's once they had heard there was a big one on our way to WA. Cabello's is a HUGH sporting goods store. They have EVERYTHING there for the sportsman. They even had a gun there that I wanted (50cal Smith and Wesson 5 shooter, cause it fits my hand). Everyone went nuts in there and came out with lots of stuff. The buggies are getting way to full from the stuff that's been bought. We decided to spend the night at one of the local Wal-Marts. Used the GPS to find one, and took off. It was right where the GPS said it would be. Setup camp for the night, did a bunch of shopping (mostly food), went back to the rigs, poured a Wild Turkey, and sat and yacked untill the sun went down. All in all, another good day.

Thursday morning we woke up to another bright blue sky. It was 185 miles to Prosser, WA, so we got on the road at 7am. Made it through the police infested city of Spokane (tons of them out during the commute traffic) and headed to the Tri-Cities. Just before Pasco on the left side of the road is a place called the Country Mercantile. We call it the Chocolate Factory. It's a place that has all kinds of fresh vegetables and fruits and stuff, but it is also a really nice gift shop. But the REAL thing is that they have all kinds of CHOCOLATE things there. Lots of truffles and cherries and strawberries and almonds and everythign covered in chocolate. They also have great homemade salsas and chips and tamales and stuff. We spent an hour there looking and buying. We then took off and made it across the Columbia River. We had to stop and get our buggies registered for Cool Desert Nights (a local BIG car show). We did that, and then headed for Prosser. We made it to the Prosser Rest Area and dumped our motorhome tanks. Chris (Larry's wife) and kids showed up so we all ate lunch at McD's. Then we all took off to park our rigs. Tony, Lavern, Dennis and Cathy pulled their rigs up to Larry and Chris's place and got them set up, while we went back to our place. So here we are. It was Dennis and Cathy's 32 year (I think) anniversary yesterday, so we all went to the Olive Garden for dinner. Good food, good wine, and great company. It's been a blast so far.

OK, on Sunday, the gang took off for the Southern loop road inside Yellowstone. Along the way there are lots of natural features to see like water cascades, grand panoramic views, and steamy things. Here's one of the Water cascades...












Here is yet another herd of Buffalo. It's amazing how excited you are about seeing your first Bison. Lots of pictures are taken and you're holding up traffic like crazy, but by the third day of passing by them, you just want to get through the "Buffalo Jams" or "Elk Jams" and keep moving. But, they are still a wonderment to see.












We drove by Yellowstone River and then the HUGH Yellowstone Lake. You can see how beautiful it is. It seems we were driving by it for miles and miles. There are boats on it and there is a very nice marina on the lake. We didn't get out and touch the water, but unlike the many rivers and streams in Yellowstone that are being heated by the Yellowstone "Hot Spot", I think this lake is just a bunch of melted snow. Anyway, it was a great place to stop for a "photo op"...Here's touching some water...












The Lake...












Yet another picture of the buggies...












More Elk. Both Dennis and Tony were wishing they had brought their bows/rifles...












We made it to one of the three Continental Divide crossings inside the Park. Had to take a picture at 8300 feet...













Monday was a GREAT day, cause we got to see a Wolf, a Black Bear, and a Grizzly Bear out in their natural habitat. We got up in the morning and decided to take the Northern Loop road in Yellowstone. This is the most beautiful route cause one gets to see lots of things. More Elk were everywhere as where the Buffalo.












Lavern and Cathy are loking at something. Wonder what it is...












Dennis also is looking...












It might have been this bear if there was one there, but we actually saw this one further down the road. Not a very close-up view, but you can just bearly (I know) see it to the left of center in this picture...It was a Grizzly Bear looking for food (we think)












Yellowstone actually has a Petrified Tree.The only one we saw...












Here is the side of a hill that is covered with steam vents. There are a couple fo these features in the park. It's amazing to come around a corner and se the side of a hill covered with steam...












Some other hill side formations. More beautiful when you can see them in person...
























Had a couple of brake drums go bad on the Turista. Luckily both Dennis and Tony had the tools needed to get me back on the road. Once we got back to the RV park, I swapped out the bad drum with one that Tony carries.
























Yet another good day for all.

OK, Saturday was yet another beautiful day. Since the snow, all of the days start out without a cloud in the deep blue sky. During the day, it gets a little cloudy, but in the afternoon the thunder clouds roll in and we get a little rain and lightning. We did the southern loop in Yellowstone. It was about 126 miles. We say lots of buffalo and elk again.












There seems to be lots of them coming out of the woods and into the open meadows, and the herds are getting bigger. The first place we stopped was at the Canyon Village gas station. Lots of people asking us questions about the buggys. Seems that every place we stop, the kids come running over and want pictures taken. Dennis says there are more pictures taken of the buggys than their are of the animals. The next place we went was to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The Yellowstone river flows on the east side of the Continental Divide and flows to the Missouri river. The Yellowstone river flows over two falls. The upper and the lower. We went to the upper falls. Amazing...












The Movie...



Tony, Laverne, Dennis, Gary...












Dennis and Cathy...











Cursory view of the buggys...












We then followed the Yellowstone River to Yellowstone Lake. Lots of panoramic views of the lake, mountains, and valleys. Stopped at various mud pots and steam vents.











Went to a place called White Dome. We were there about 10 minutes and it started to blow...












Unfortunately while we were there, a bus full of people showed up and parked right behind Tony. They are gathered around him, and this is what it looked like with Tony hunkered down as far as he could go...












All in all it was a good day.

Hey All;

Sorry it's been so long, but I've had nothing but wifi problems since we got here to Yellowstone. Hopefully the good signal will last long enough for me to punch something through.

After a couple of days of snow, the Ladies decided to setup a bus excursion that took us from here, down to Jackson Hole (and the town of Jackson), back up through the Grand Teton National Park, and then through Yellowstone. The trip started out bad cause the driver (62 year-old Steve) must of been having a bad morning. Had a very poor customer-interface. He actually brightened up a couple of miles down the road, and we were happy cause we were going to be stuck in that bus with him for the next 8 hours. As it turned out, he was really knowledgeable about the area and various subjects, so he was really entertaining.

Our first stop was this beautiful falls. Don't remember the name of it, but it was gorgeous...












We then went on to Jackso in Jackson Hole, Wy. The bus dropped us off in front of the town square that has the portals made of Elk antlers. We had to take the usual picture of the guys standing under neath one of them. Dennis on the left, me in the middle, Tony on the right...












The ladies went off shopping, so I went to the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. Five dollars gets you a hamburger and a beer. They only had the 80 proof Wild Turkey, so I settled for a gin and tonic. Diana showed up and had a diet coke and rum with a shot glass full of cherries.












We only got to stay in Jackson for a little over an hour, but we did take a stage coach ride. They were tough folks that traveled across county in one of these things. We had a good time. I only took this one picture of Tony and Laverne inside. Will try to get one of the many pictures that Laverne took. I wish she would have been smiling...












On the way back from Jackson, we stopped and many information centers with plenty of pit stops. It was a beautiful ride and we got to see many things, but we really wanted to get into the buggies so we could see things up close.

Friday dawned with nothing but blue skies and a little chilly weather. The roads had no snow on them and the buggies were itching to get going. So, we accommodated them. We didn't hit the road until about 10, but there wasn't a huge crowd trying to get into the park, so getting pass the gate was easy. Not more than a couple of miles down the road we started to see Elk and Buffalo. It's amazing how close you can get to some of these things...




































There was lots of stopping along the way so we could get out and look at things...












Lots of fisherman looking for trout. Catch and Release only...












Lots of deep blue hot springs of water. Mud pots and steamy things all over. Not to mention Old Faithful...We are in the picture of Old Faithful, can you see us??
















































Enought for this post. Lots more things happened to us, so will add that later.

The trip to Yellowstone went pretty good. Had a real nice tailwind, so everyone was getting some really good gas mileage. Stopped along the way to have some lunch and fuel. It was just before we hit the big hill heading over the pass. We were about 10 miles from Grizzly RV Park here in the town of West Yellowstone, when it started to snow a little bit. A few miles later it started snowing more. When we got to the park, it was sticking to the windshield. We got our spots, and then the snows really came. It has been snowing ever since. Looks like we got another 6 or so inches today. Suppose to change to a mix of rain and snow tomorrow, with the first really clear day on friday. It's still COLD, and everyone has bought an extra jacket or sweatshirt when we went to town. They will come in handy when we start driving around in the buggys (hopefully friday), cause it's still going to be COLD. Today we went to the IMax theatre and watched two of the BIG SCREEN special movies. One was on Yellowstone (most of us fell asleep), and the other was on Bears (no one fell asleep and it was better than being outside in the snow). Cabin fever is starting to hit and we're anxious to hit the roads. Tomorrow we go on one of the many tourists excurisions (in a bus) that seem to be everywhere here. The girls booked one for 7:30am (can you imagine them all being up at that time?). Should be fun, and there should be a few good pictures taken. Here's a couple of pictures of the poor buggys. They are SAD.

The Turista












AU...












Here's SCUBBY

Cathy just sent me some pictures, so I'm adding them...

Diana looking for rocks...












Another look at Tony stuck on top of a dune...












The Turista trying to make it up a dune...












Which way do we go...












More rock looking...












Out in the rocks...

Yesterdays morning ride went well, and it was beautiful. I hit some steep dunes that the Turista couldn't get up, so had to find ways around them. I had put some Mickey Thompson tires on before we left, and I thought if they were aired down enough that I would be able to get some good traction, but I think the tread is just too hard. Scuuby (Tony and Laverne's buggy) is doing fine. Lots of horsepower is helping out. Dennis and Cathy have been using their quads to get around on, so the Gold Buggy (Au) is sitting around camp. We all agree that sand paddles would have helped out a lot. Luckily, the next 10 days will be on roads, so will have a chance to pickup the paddles on the way to Coos Bay. The weather was great yesterday until the afternoon ride. The wind came up really fast and the sand was blowing so hard that we decided to get off the dunes. Dinner was great and then there was more sitting around the campfire. One interesting thing is that the folks in the campsites next to us on both sides are here hfor two week stays. One group is from Spokane, Wa., and the other is from Walnut Creek, Ca. I would sure like to stay here for 2 weeks, only with the sandrail. It rained last night, and the weather looks bad this morning, but we're heading out at noon for Yellowstone. Should have a nice tailwind. Here's some pictures...

Tony and Laverne hight centered at the top of a dune...












What we see in the rear vire mirror...












Cathy on her Quad...












Dennis on his Quad...












You can see the wind blowing the sand off of the top of the dune...