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Published: October 13th 2011
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It is up early today and on the road to get to the airport to pick up my sister Dedie. She is flying into Jackson which is supposed to be 2 hours away. I rearranged the bed so we could sleep a different way and made room in the cabinet for her clothes. When I get home I am getting rid of half the things I have in the camper, entirely too much stuff.
I was on the road by 8:45 and the weather had improved tremendously from yesterday. The sun was coming up and the trees sparkled with the remnants of last nights downpours. Picture
The road went for miles with just small trees, all new growth from the 88 fire. The new trees are now 15 to 20 ft tall and very thick and lush. But some of the old dead and burned trees still remain standing, they are just tall sticks.
After I passed Old Faithful area the forests changed into older more mature forests, the first I have seen most of the trip. Yellowstone has just been ravaged by forest fires. The authorities have learned a lot about how to manage a vast land such as this
and that is to let nature take it’s course. It has been successfully doing just that for centuries, why do we always think we can control things. It will be 50 years before the forests mature and begin a healthy cycle again. Very complicated process, I’m glad it’s not up to me. I’m also very grateful our family got to see Yellowstone in all it’s glory in 1982 before the really big fire of 88.
Yellowstone is still a very wild country and only 2 % of the park is affected by man. So the animals have it mostly to themselves and there is something very appealing about being in “wild” country.
Meanwhile on the journey, I crossed the continental divide 3 times winding over one mountain than another. The drive was slow but beautiful and by the time I got to the Tetons I knew it was going to be close to being on time or not. But I made it and so did Dee and we headed into Jackson for some lunch and shopping.
It was great to see her and after finding a wonderful hat just made for Dee we found a second floor outdoor lunch place.
We had a panoramic overview of the square and the hills beyond. Lunch was very satisfying and after a little more shopping we headed for our campground in Colter Bay. Dee appropriately ood and aaaad at the mountains as we headed north along the Teton range. I thought we might see some wildlife but not to happen. We got to the campsite, set up and walked to the marina and got the lay of the land. More oooh and aaahing at the mountains and then went back to the campsite and made dinner of grilled chicken, brussel sprouts and toasted garlic bread. Coctails of course. Another walk, then Dee crashed and I went to the laundry to use the internet which didn’t happen. No getting on the web for anyone. So I left and walked back to the camper at 10:30pm in the pitch dark. I kept talking to myself so the bears or coyotes could hear me and know I was there. Won’t do that again! Good night.
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beth
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Incredible pictures Aunt Kathy! And my mom had so much fun! I'm so glad you guys did this!