More From The Traveling Neils

Hi Everyone Out There,

Hope all is well with you. What have you been up to? We love hearing all about your life. Keep those emails coming.

After our adventure in NE Yellowstone with the elk, we drove through several scenic highways to Cody, Wyoming. First we took the Beartooth Highway(US 212) that Charles Kuralt called the most beautiful roadway in America. It was awesome. Then we took the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway to Cody where we spent the night and rested up. Yesterday we took US 20 through the Wind River Canyon to Casper where we are now. The 2,500 foot deep canyon with the highway on one side of the river and the railroad on the other reveals millions of years of sedimentary rock. We are staying at the Fort Casper RV Park which is right beside the North Platte River. After we got here we went for a walk along the river and again had encounters with wild life. We were again innocently walking along when 3 very large deer (you don’t realize how large they are until you are right beside them) came bounding right in front of us and luckily veered off on a path along the river. That was a shock but we kept walking and then another deer came bounding across the path behind us. I was getting a bit nervous (not Paul of course) when a dog comes running as fast as he can behind us chasing a rabbit. He also followed the poor little rabbit into the wilds. So that was our walk and I don’t think I want to take that route again. Today we’ll go visit the Ft. Casper Museum and go into town.

We just got back from a day in Casper, which is the 2nd largest city in Wyoming. First we headed for downtown and found a lovely little restaurant where we had a Greek lunch. Took lots home for a snack later. Then we shopped a bit at the Buffalo Clothing Company where I found a Life is Good T-shirt and a present for Paul for his birthday which is coming up. We had to visit Lou Taubert’s, one of the country’s largest cowboy clothing stores but didn’t find anything we had to have.

After that we headed for the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center which was terrific. Carol and Dennis saw it a few years ago and recommended it. It includes displays about the Oregon, California, Mormon Pioneer, Pony Express, Bridger and Bozeman Trails. Between 1840-1870, more than 500,000 people moved across the western plains in search of land, freedom of religion, and gold. We got to ride on a simulated ride across the North Platte River in a wagon. That was pretty bumpy.

Then we did a few housekeeping items such as getting money at the ATM, filling up with diesel, and Paul got a haircut. So that was our day in Casper and tomorrow we’ll continue on our path across the USA.

Alive After An Elk Encounter

Hello from Cody, Wyoming,

How was your day? We have had quite a day. We met Lucy and Steve at Ernie’s Deli for one last breakfast sandwich and a last goodbye. We’ve had a great time exploring the country with them. They are on their way to Bozeman, Montana, and we are on our way across the USA. We decided to take the northern route out of Yellowstone and went out the NE Entrance in hopes of finding a bear but no luck.

But we did have quite an adventure in Mammoth Hot Springs. It is the park headquarters and there are always quite a few elk lurking around. As we walked toward the gift shop we noticed a huge Bull Elk on the ridge looking down on us and bugling. He looked quite magnificent and Paul took lots of pictures. We kept walking and checked out the gift shop and Paul got some coffee. On the way back to our RV, we talked to a Ranger and he mentioned that ELK # 10 was down the way we were walking and to be alert. We started in that direction and were just innocently walking along. Well, pretty soon we saw another Bull Elk coming our way. He had quite a rack-that means he had lots of points on his antlers. Anyway he kept coming our way so we got on a porch behind some lattice work that we thought would protect us and he wouldn’t notice us. Well, silly me kept taking pictures and my flash was on which I didn’t realize. Soon he was about 10 feet away and kept eyeballing us and bugling. Finally a nice lady named, Martha, who lived in this house opened the door and asked us to come in to protect us. Of course, you know how I am about pictures and I kept taking pictures and pretty soon he headed our way with his head down and eyeballs flashing-yes we were that close-we both rushed inside Martha’s home. She was lovely and we thanked her for saving us. She had lived here for 25 years and loved the place. We asked about summer employment and she said there would be no problem getting hired. Finally it looked safe and we walked to our RV. The elk was resting nearby and ignored us. Another Ranger said we were lucky we weren’t killed so that’s the story and I stayed pretty much inside the truck for the rest of the day. I learned my lesson and will stay at least 75 feet away from all wildlife. That’s what the ranger told us to do. (Paul here- that is an unembellished account of our elk encounter.)

Yes, The Neils Are Still In West Yellowstone

Hello,

Yes, we are still here. It was supposed to snow yesterday but didn’t. It did rain all day and we had a nice day inside. Lucy and Steve came over for dinner and Train Dominoes and we had a great time. Guess who won? We might stay another day so Paul and Steve can go fly fishing some more. They really seem to like it. I guess it depends on the weather.

This morning we woke up to some snow. It was a pretty sight and we are off to breakfast and later Paul and Steve will go flyfishing. Lucy and I checked out the Do It Yourself Center-a hardware store- and we are taking it easy. I’m trying to get caught up on pictures and email. Our connection and computer seem to be working at the moment so I better send out lots.

We leave tomorrow and we have really enjoyed West Yellowstone. Perhaps we'll see a bear on our way out of Yellowstone.

Hello Out There In Civilization

Paul and Steve left very early to go fly fishing. Lucy and I are fly fishing widows so we decided to head for town to shop a bit more. Talked to one lady about the rain that’s coming and she said it’s going to snow. So we read the local weather report and it said 4-8 inches are expected tomorrow. Oh, my, I wonder what that will be like? We ended up having lunch at the Iron Horse Bar, had a few drinks and did some gambling, and then our boys found us and we got to hear their fish stories. We are back at the RV now and it’s beginning to rain. We are in for the evening and I bet Paul will tell you some fish stories.

(Paul here, well Steve and I did some fly fishing! I caught one which was all of 3 inches! Steve got one that was probably bigger., maybe 3.5 inches. Had several bites, BUT I can say I fished the Gibbon, Firehole, and Madison rivers. I have to agree with all the people who say that even if they don’t catch any thing it’s still a great way to spend a day in a very beautiful setting.)

From West Yellowstone

Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Hello from West Yellowstone,
Yes, we made it through the Teton National Park and Yellowstone to West Yellowstone, Montana. We did stop at the Visitor’s Center in the Tetons to get my Passport book stamped and the new visitor’s center had great displays where you can feel all the fur of the various animals in the parks. That was pretty cool. Of course, Lucy and I had bought a really neat vest with fur and we thought it was fake fur. It didn’t look like any of those animals’ fur, thank goodness.
Anyway we were planning on staying at the Grizzly Bear RV Park, which is really nice and where we have stayed before. But it was full so we were sent to the Rustic RV Park and let me tell you it’s very rustic. We are staying in an alley (Paul here, it is a very short alley Hwy 20 in front of us and Gibbon street behind us and we fill it up end to end) with mobile homes right beside us. At least we could put our slides out and we do have TV cable. We are staying just for the night than will move back to the Grizzly Bear park for the next 3 days.
(Paul here, for anyone who cares, the truck is Great! The new transmission is very nice. Driving through Yellowstone Park we crossed the Continental Divide 3 times. We made the same drive with our old truck and it was not hard but this time was much nicer, although the GMC (stands for great mountain climber according to Steve) stayed with us all the way. Billy, thanks, the plastic sheeting works good, I did get a little water under it but that was my fault as it was a pretty sloppy job putting it on the first time, a two man job I think.)
From the West Yellowstone Neils,
Paul and Jackie

Goodbye to Jackson

Hello,

It was time for some shopping in Jackson Hole, so Paul and Steve went exploring at the Elk Preserve and Lucy and I went shopping downtown at Chico’s, Coldwater Creek, Eddie Bauer, and a really nice shop called Shirt Off My Back. They do have the same shops everywhere don’t they. We met up for a light lunch because we are going to the Jackson Hole Playhouse for dinner and the play, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Should be quite a day.

Just got back from a wonderful production of the play. They were excellent and we all enjoyed the music and the romantic story of seven brides and seven brothers. The dinner before the play was delicious and they sang to us as we ate our dinner. A most delightful evening. We leave tomorrow so we say goodbye to Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Still in Jackson Hole

Hello from Jackson Still,

How are things in your area of the world? Well, we had quite a day yesterday. Had a great breakfast at a local hangout and it was terrific. Went for a walk along the Snake River but didn’t see any animals. We are still looking for bear and moose. In the evening, we went to the Bar J Chuckwagon Supper and Western Show. The food was delicious-barbequed steak, beans, potato, applesauce, biscuit and spice cake- and they fed all 750 of us in less than 30 minutes. We found out that the Humphrey Family have been doing this for over 30 years and wanted us to find out about the cowboy and the food they ate and the songs they sang when out on the range. It was most entertaining and we really enjoyed the music-cowboy music like Gene Autrey and Roy Rogers used to sing. Paul told me that.

Today we are taking it easy-grocery shopping, getting diesel, and of course the Emmy’s. I do like award shows and am watching E and all the arrivals at the show. It’s my kind of day. I’m also cooking some Texas chili from a mix we bought in Texas the last trip. So hope all is well with you and yours. (Paul here, The Chili was outstanding!)

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Yesterday we made our way to Lehi near Salt Lake City, Utah, to the Cabellas store. You know how we like these stores. We met up with Don and Kathy, friends from Boise, Idaho, who are visiting here. We visited for a bit and then made plans to meet later for dinner.

So we were on a mission to find a place for the night. We found Mountain View RV Park in Draper and they were completely filled up but offered us an overflow spot on the entrance street to the park. So for $15 we had a spot with electricity but there was a problem. Anyone turning into the RV Park might run into the back of us if they were going too fast so we didn’t put the slide out in the bedroom and found that we could sleep that way. It was ok except for the fact that we were right beside Interstate 15. So it was a bit noisy but we were so tired we slept anyway. We did have a nice dinner with Don and Kathy and got caught up a bit. Kathy knits on her trips and gave me a lovely Christmas scarf which is really pretty. Thanks, Kathy.

Today we got up early and on the road by 9:15. Decided to take the Bear Lake route which is very scenic with mountains and rivers and trees starting to turn shades of yellow, orange, and red. Steve and Lucy, who we are meeting in Jackson, had called us to tell us about an excellent raspberry shake in Garden City so we stopped and it was terrific. After that great shake we arrived in Jackson Hole around 5:00 and stayed at the Teton Village Campground where we had stayed several times before. This time there was a warning about a mother bear and 2 cubs that have been seen about the campground. I’m still on the lookout for a bear so hopefully we’ll see one while here in Jackson.

Back on the road again

We are back on the road again. Paul decided we needed to leave a bit earlier to miss all the traffic so we got up at 3:56 am and left at 5:15am this morning. Can you believe it? We are now in St. George, Utah, and arrived after 9 ½ hours of driving and sitting. We are on our way around the USA and will need to rest up after our marathon session. Did I mention that it was 63 degrees when we left and 103 when we arrived here in the middle of a desert?

We had planned on leaving yesterday but Paul decided to attend a 911 event. He and Bob drove the Avalon Fire Truck followed by about 500 motorcycles to commemorate all the firefighters who died in 911. They started in Laguna Beach and made their way to a home in Belmont Heights where a firefighter put up crosses for all the firefighters who died. Karen and her kids and I decided to ride on the fire truck and joined the group near 2nd Street and PCH in Long Beach. It was quite an experience and the Memorial Service was very moving. (Paul here, the Avalon fire truck is a 1956 Van Pelt. I was living on the Island then and was there when they delivered it and before we moved to the mainland I was a member of the Avalon Fire Dept. It was repowered with a Cummins diesel around 1970. Still a lot of fun to drive, no automatic transmission! A real fire truck as we old timers like to say. Very impressive to be followed by 500 motorcycles, as always photos do not do it justice.)