Aug. 29 and 30 – Helena to West Yellowstone to Colter Bay, Grand Tetons

The ride from Helena to West Yellowstone was beautiful. We did not go on the interstate, but went most of the way on Montana Hwy 69 to 287, a very scenic and smooth ride. I took a couple of photos of Earthquake Lake which is above Hebgen Dam. It was formed from an earthquake and still has the dead trees that used to be on land before the lake was formed. We spent the night in West Yellowstone. Phil went to the Yellowstone Outlet and got a bargain t-shirt and a good rain jacket. There was ice on the truck bed cover, so we know it got down to freezing. It was quite nippy when we dragged ourselves out of bed at 7:00 a.m. Colter Bay Campground on Jackson Lake is first come, first served, so we wanted to be sure we got a good campsite.


Aug. 30 was another very scenic day as we drove through Yellowstone National Park to get to the Grand Tetons. It is always a treat, and you never get tired of seeing the marvelous features there. We will probably make a day trip or two while we are at Colter Bay. We got set up and can actually see the tip of one of the majestic mountains.

We love Colter Bay. It is one of our favorite places on earth. They told us when we entered that there have been nine grizzlies roaming around the campground this summer, more than ever before. I did not say anything, but at this time of year, they are usually high up the mountains. When we were at West Yellowstone, we heard on the news that a second hiker was killed by a grizzly. He was high up. Still, it would be a treat to see one. I am thinking more about hearing the bugling of the elk.

The only things I miss when we camp with no hookups are my microwave and my toaster oven. We might try to run them with the generator, but in the high altitude, Phil does not want to risk messing anything up. We do use it to make our coffee each morning and recharge the battery.

Phil did an awful lot of stuff yesterday, and I am thankful to say his back did not go out like it did a while back.
We did not have our bicycles last year on the trip. We have been afraid for Phil to take them off the ladder bike rack, but he did yesterday. Now I can ride my bike. I am a happy camper!

Quake Lake - formed by an earthquake - you can still see the old, dead trees in the lake.

took these as we traveled through Yellowstone

another view of Quake Lake

I e-mailed the campground in the Outer Banks where we go each Oct. 15 to Nov. 15. I do not know how long it will be before I hear from them, but we are thinking that trip will probably not happen this year because Hwy. 12 near there is gone. Our campground is in Waves which is in the Rodanthe, Mirlo Beach, Salvo area where the road suffered the worst. Oh well, we will be able to stay out here longer if Phil's back holds up.