I decided to try my luck at fishing on the 12th. I went to the store in my campground to get a license and find out where to fish. A guy there directed me to a couple of different spots so I was on my way. The first stop was back at a creek that ran into Jenny lake. It required a little hike but I didn't mind. I walked down the trail a ways and found a spot that looked promising. After spending 30 minutes getting my gear in order and a fly tied to my line I finally was ready to get the fly wet. I tried for a while and had a little trouble with the trees behind me but could not get a bite. I decided to move down to where the creek feeds into Jenny lake as this was supposed to be a good spot. As I got there I saw that someone in a boat was in the spot I wanted to fish. Just then I looked up and saw lightning across the lake and rain coming my way so I hiked back to my bike and hightailed it out of there. I made it back to the camper without getting very wet. I relaxed most of the afternoon and then decided to try below the dam in the picture which is another place I was told was good. I put on my water shoes and walked out into the cold water feeling good about my chances. There were quite a few other anglers there trying their luck. The trout were jumping all around and I tried every fly I had but could not get a bite. I only saw 2 people on the other side of the creek catch fish and they were big. I tried for a while longer and noticed everyone had left except for me and one other guy. We finally gave up and that's when I noticed that it was 9:15. No wonder everyone else left. It doesn't get completely dark around here until 10:00. Unfortunately, working the fly rod aggravated an old tendinitis injury in my elbow. I headed back to camp and noticed some cars stopped on the side of the road which usually means an animal has been spotted. I expected the usual elk or bison but it turned out to be that a grizzly was chasing a herd of elk. I pulled off the road and got out to see what was happening and a guy next to me said the bear was just off the road in a thicket not 50 feet from where we stood. I didn't feel comfortable being that close to a grizzly so I went back to the camper and just as I got inside he came out onto the road not 20 yards from me. I jumped out and tried to get a picture as he crossed the road but it did not turn out.
The next day I planned to do a long ride in Yellowstone but the forecast was for rain so I took a short ride to Jackson and up the mountain road that led out of town. I then came back to Jackson and had lunch at the famous Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. It was an architectural marvel with the gnarled wood columns and all the cowboy memorabilia and stuffed wildlife. I went back to the campground before the storms hit and watched a movie and fell asleep.
Tuesday was my day for the Yellowstone ride. The day was cloudy and unusually cold. I don't think the temperature got into the 50's but for a short time in the afternoon. So I put on my cold weather gear and took off. I left shortly after 9 and headed north. I stopped at the mud volcano area where they have the Dragon's Mouth which has steam that spews out back in the cave and makes waves and a blubblub sound that makes you think it might blow at any moment. I saw and smelled all the other pits spewing out their noxious gasses. There was a buffalo laying down right next to where steam was spewing from the earth. I moved on and came to an awesome waterfall that you could view from right above it and also from downriver where there was also a canyon which had magnificent colors on its walls. I saw another waterfall and then headed to the northeast entrance to the park and the famous Beartooth highway. On the way I saw a black bear off the side of the road. I stopped to get a picture but he was really close at only 15 yards away. I was a little apprehensive, especially when the bear started in my direction before turning, so I tried taking the pictures with my thick riding glove on and it didn't work out so well. I've got to work on my bear pictures but it's hard to remember to go halfway down on the button and wait for the picture to focus before taking the shot when there is an animal capable of doing you harm so close by. I'll try to do better in Glacier. I went through the Lamar valley which was majestic and the pictures don't give you the real splendor but I tried anyway. One spot on the hill looked like it could be a golf course. Another spot in the canon looked like it had been carved and I guess it had been by nature. This valley led to the Ice Box Canyon which was incredibly beautiful. I got to the Beartooth Highway but they were doing a lot of road construction on it so I decided to head back. I had been gone for over 7 hours at that time and I had a long ride back. I made it back about 8:45 after a very long ride. I had been gone for over 10 hours and had been on the bike for about 7 of those hours. I had only ridden 320 miles but they were mostly at 45 MPH average. The roads in the northeast part of Yellowstone were great bike roads as well as being great scenic roads. I did manage one section of road over Mt Washburn where there were no cars in front of me as the road curved back and forth for a couple of miles. I really enjoyed that. I was exhausted when I got back and I still had not seen all of Yellowstone but I will get to see most of the rest on my way to Montana in the morning. I've put the bike on the trailer and am all ready to leave in the morning for the long ride to Glacier national Park. I can't wait to get there and see what adventures wait for me other than the skydiving adventure on Friday. Say a prayer for me that I land safely and don't poop in my pants. After all, it will be videotaped. Oh by the way, in my post about the mystery spot where you could see the earth's tilt on its axis, was just a joke. The camera was sitting at an angle on the rock. I wonder how many of you fell for that other than my sisters and my niece? Don't be afraid to fess up.
No comments:
Post a Comment