Day 28 – A Journey to YTP

OK, time to check in with our peeps. How are y’all doin? We have enjoyed all the feedback and posts on our trip and feel like our posse continues to grow each day. We picked up our first “hitch hiker” near West Virginia when Caser found a spot under the wheel well and really picked up steam once Cousin Monica jumped on board and rallied the troops. Soon we heard from SwimChick who’s counting our every stroke and breathing patterns and once in Vegas lovedance731 gave up her show gig and jumped aboard as well. Let’s not forget Mrs. K. who has been tracking our co-ordinates from home base while Aunt Denise flashes her trademark smile anytime we need a little encouragement during a long drive. Chato747 was a lifesaver as she smoked out all those speed traps and CHIPs in her old stomping grounds in northern Cali. We are feeling all of your vibes out there and want to confirm our stories and travails are not yet over. What fun this has been but we still have much to report and look forward to - Ithaca here we come! Today marks the end of chapter four in our five chapter book. We hope it’s been a great read and wanted to let you know we can now be downloaded on kindle. Let’s keep this convoy growing and stretch it from state to state. Oh yeah, everyone needs to get their paperwork in order as Canada is now visible through the windshield and passports are required.

We started today in Salt Lake and had no formal activities planned. I was the only one excited as I knew I would be passing through two new states, Idaho and Montana, on my quest to spend time in all of the lower 48. We had another 6 hour drive to reach one of the coolest parts of our land, Yellowstone National Park or YTP (the TP is for trading post) as the locals call it. YTP is cool as reports from explorers ahead say it is a do not miss. It is also cool as the USA Today notes it as the coldest place in America today with a low of 33 degrees. Tomorrow’s high is 53 degrees so those sugarlips have now been packed away and pants and sweatshirts will be the uniform of the day.

Similar to Day 1 it didn’t take too long to get off course. Once north of Ogden, Utah we spotted from the interstate several old war planes parked along the road. Just like a magnet, we were attracted to all that metal and we quickly u ied to see what was the deal? Well, we stumbled along Hill Air Force Base and the museum by the same name. What fun to see and explore all the old fighter planes and pretend our goggles were on as we protected our free land from enemy fire. Blue eyes was also smiling as she added to her thimble collection which now numbered near twenty since the trip began. We were now two hours behind schedule as we headed north on I – 15 towards YTP. We needed to get there by 8:00 PM as we had tickets to the IMAX theatre to get a proper introduction.

The scenery in northern Utah was impressive - majestic mountains with some green and brown with small towns spawning at their bases. Fact of the Day; in Utah the mountains are branded, much like cattle, with the initials of the town. Provo displayed a “P” while Brigham Young casted a “BY”. The white brand is easily seen from the interstate and helps pinpoint locations along the way.

Soon we hit Idaho where the land flattens out a bit but was equally beautiful with distant mountain views. We crossed the Snake River – yes, the same river Evil Knivel jumped over in the 70’s, five or six times as it curled around the lower half of the state much like a burn on a British style links course. The girls enjoyed sampling the potato hand cream at the local general store. It was all about the spuds in Idaho and they made sure you knew it as every billboard and sign made reference to their number one crop. Once in Montana, it was green pines and trees everywhere. They even had signs on what year the trees were planted. 50 footers from the sixties to 6 to 8 footers planted in the past 15 years. This was clearly a place to get way from it all. Many campgrounds, lakes and fly fisherman perfecting their craft as the sun began to set. Just one single lane road led us to YTP but luckily the speed limit was 75 mph so we didn’t delay. We arrived in West Yellowstone and went directly to the IMAX theatre for the show. We busted through the doors at 7:58 PM for the 8:00 PM show. Another seemingly perfect day on a perfect trip.

Keep on Keepin’ on,

Cdog