Geysers

     Only after a few miles of entering the Yellowstone NP did I see cool wildlife. A few bison laying close to the road. A ton of cars were pulled over and people just blocking access...pfft tourists *cough*.

     Another 15 minutes passed and I came upon another group of them this time I got out and snapped a few pictures.

     Just driving around not having looked at the park map yet and I saw a sign "Old Faithful". Yep. I just found my goal for thr day. I stopped along the way at painted fountains area. Lots of cool geysers and other types of geothermal anomalies.

     After checking out old faithful I just decided to drive around to see where that would take me. I wouldn't be hiking because of the off and on rain with a lower temperature and higher elevation. Too many ways for something to go wrong.

     I came out of the main Lake attraction and saw a youngman with a cardboard sign. So, I gave him a lift. I got out, greeted, and moved all my stuff in the backseat over. I had too many things in the front.

     A cool guy. He apparently worked in Yellowstone and we seemed to bond over the next 15-20 minutes. Had a lot in common. He told me of a story or two, about the area, and a little background of himself. We parted ways and I drove towards the East entrance..to exit. I had checked out a couple of visitor centers within the park. Not really much else that spoke to me. I'm here to wander and hike.

     The east entrance was distinctly different from the west entrance. Large mountains spanning at least 9k in elevation created a twisty road, my favorite. The temperature dropped even more as the car struggled to climb.

     When exiting the park I had decided to head towards the next destination. Having plans a few days in advance makes me want to get to the next area. I'm not sure if it's excitement or anxiety that pushes me on. Ive become a road stallion.

     The Bighorn National Forest had a cool section of roaf I enjoyed playing with the gears on. After about 5 hours of driving I felt no fatigue. I took a break anyway to get my mind off the striped lines.

Odometer Noooo

     I accidently reset the odometer. Damnit. Damnit...damnit.

     I slept without issue last night as my plan worked, mwhahah. Rose early and was the first one on the trail. After seeing about five NPS posters warning of bears I became nervous. One sign said "never hike alone". Thanks sign, thats reassuring.   Grocery list item added, bear mace.

     Anyway I hiked up the "trail of cedars" and continued onto the "Avalance Lake" trail. About a 5 mile hike in total. Elevation gain 500 feet. Not a hard hike but it did reward. The lake was phenomenal. Truly breathtaking.

     I met Bret, a gentleman out on his own adventure. We talked for quite a while and even exhanged numbers. Was keen to show me some cool spots around his living area back in Oregon. The westerners really love the outdoors. I may have to join them.

    I stopped at a picnic site in the park and ate lunch, yum. As you may of guessed lots of roads closed here due to snow.  I'm upbeat and in the mood to take on some roads. Yellowstone here I come.

Glacier

     Arrived at the Glacier National Park in Montana . I destroyed a sandwich and some granola bars. I didnt expect the trip to take as long as it did. Anyway, its already after 2pm. Wait...no 3pm. I passed a time zone!

     This park deserves an all day exploration. A few hour sample won't cut it. 

      They have quick wifi at this visitor center, which is cool. I'llbe able to upload some pictures.

     The thought of finding a place to camp early on because it is Saturday came to mind. Hopping back into the car to backtrack 30 minutes to a National Park site was a learning experience.

     As I turned off the highway to the National forest access road the signage made me uneasy. It read something like "Bear food storage required". Not good, not good at all. This is the real deal. Not pansy timid black bears. This sign was, in my opinion, a path to keeping it real; forest edition.

     I drove around contemplating whether or not to risk it. I only found a couple of campsites while driving along the rocky path. I decided to backout. When the decision was made the tight space to turn the car was a challenge. Almost over the edge of about a 20 foot drop. Mmm, burned clutch smell with a hint of "holy shit". 

     Why bail? mainly because I have a small bear container meant for backpacking. I hear those grizzlies can smell a food wrapper from a distance. Me bundled up in my mummy bag may be the best treat the lucky bear finds; the taste of human. Sprinkle some salt on myself before going to sleep to satisfy the bear. I'm not a gun maniac, but a mounted 12 gauge on the roof would bring a peaceful mind, 'Merica.

     Time to work on my resume. Under the skills section I can hopefully add "hiding in plain sight". All my schooling ( and..other experiences of course ) has granted me limited sight into what an officer/ranger looks for. That diploma finally paying its worth, maybe.

     Highway driving is taking its toll. At 10,000 miles in I grow bored of pavement. A testament to the enourmous ammount of work that went in to creating the US road system.

I-5 interstate champion

     I had a great time with the family. We went out to eat, explored, and chilled.

      A couple days of getting rest did wonders. I explored the beach, Cabrillo National Monument, USS Midway , In and Out (haha), and various other areas.

      Seeing the family was needed. Watching the kids play and having a sleeping buddy (Burt) helped take the fatigue away.

      It's always sad leaving, but I had to be there for me to be sad, so It's a good thing!

     I made the decision to grind out miles. I ended up driving from San Diego to the Plumas National Forest near Orobillo, CA. An estimated 600 mile day. The trip up was 90% dull, 10% fun. The Plumas area was gorgeous. I didn't bother setting up camp due to arriving at the campsite around 9pm. I slept at the featherfall trailhead. The town of Orobillo seemed like a cool place to walk around.

     The next day I headed to the Lassen Volcanic National Park. The ride up was a few hours, but hanging out in the park was short. A lot of the park roads were closed due to snow. Something I should have predicted. I checked out the visitor center and tried my luck by driving another 1hr45min to the Northern entrance, which had roughly 10 miles of road before it was closed. I didnt even bother going back into the park. I couldnt hike any trails and getting any decent pictures seemed out of reach.

     I drove into Oregon and reached the campsite, which was closed. The campsite was up a large mountain not too far from the Oregon/California border. I just ended crashing in the car outside the locked gates. I had driven roughly 1000 miles in two days and wasnt looking for another place.

     Woke early as usual and turned on the GPS. The GPS is acting funny lately. Just a few more weeks buddy. You can make it!

     Crater Lake National Park, if you can guess, has the same problem with closed roads due to snow. Only 8 miles of roads within the park were opened. Although they had a section of road opened for bicyclists, hikers, and dog walkers. Not my cup of tea. The one view I had from the lake is cool. Apparently this was once a volcano 7700 years ago. It erupted and collapsed. With the annual snowfall of 44 feet, in the area, the melt eventually filled the basin. A deep blue color contrast with the snow laying upon the rocks is a sight to see.

     The book I have does not list anymore national protected lands within Oregon (book does not include forests).

     I stayed in a National Forest last night in Oregon. I shouldve written it down because I completely forget the name of it. Anyway I woke up at 2am to my cooking pot being tampered with. I scared away whatever creature was causing the issue but the bugger kept coming back. I ended up just leaving the area at 3am because I couldnt fall back to sleep.

     Mt. Rainer National Park, WA. Cool as hell. The mountain can be seen from miles way. Miles upon miles. Sitting at a little over 14k feet the structure towers over everything in the area. I hiked the crater falls trail about 3-4 miles total. Checked out the visitor center and am headed towards Montanna.

     I couldnt pump my own gas in Oregon. Didnt know that wasnt a self serve state, haha. Washington and Oregon are beautiful states. I forget to stop driving to take pictures. I have so few of the areas.

Pacific Coast

     Well, I've made it to the Golden State. Yesterday I rose from slumber in the Hotel Subaru from a "mooo". A few cows standing within 50ft of the car decided it was a good time to talk amongst themselves. I threw a couple "moo's" back their way to show my dissatisfaction of their language. No need for that that early on.

   I stayed in the Mojave Natural Preserve, CA. A primitive site with a trail right next too it. The previous night I walked along the "Rim Loop Trail" and it was cool. A section had loop rings to use for climbing up a small section of rocks.

     Once leaving the preserve I went to Joshua Tree National Park, CA. A cool place that wasn't cool. It was hot. I checked out the exhibits and decided on a place to explore.  The "Mastadon Peak Loop Trail" an easy enough 3 mile trail that led up to a peak. The problem was dealing with the 90+ degree heat. The last week or so I had come from waking up in the frost or snow to now hiking in the heat.

   "Why would anyone preserve this wasteland of heat?" Is what I asked myself. Many others must've said the same thing. However, the area is living. Such an abundance of creatures and plants that have adapted to the area. We could learn a thing or two from how the animals conserve resources.

     After my hike I decided to head on uo to San Diego to visit Uncle Mike and family. A few days of relaxing on the beach should be refreshing.

     

" COWS NEXT 15 MILES"

      The West has some peculiar singnage. As well as " Caution steep, curves, next 85 miles"

     Another cold morning to wake up in. Id rather wake in the cold than the hot though. Pulled off the road to catch some Z's in the Dixie National Forest.

   Today I  checked out the Bryce National Park as well as Zion national park. Bryce had some good hiking trails and scenic viewpoints, but I just wasn't in the mood to hike. I checked out the vistas. The exhibits were closed, which bothered me quite a bit. How am I going to know what to look for while exploring when I have no idea what to look for?

     I got down to Zion East entrance and the park was packed. The 14 mile trekk to the visitor center took well over an hour. The sites from the car were good enough for me at this point. The mood fell worse as I got to the visitor center and a sign reads "park in Springvale" ..really? I have to walk a couple of miles just to check out the visitor center? Oh they have a shuttle..that I have to wait for with all the traffic.

     So, I resupplied from the grocery store. Then went and ate at a local diner. After eating I promtly left the area to venture somewhere less crowded.

    I had planned to spend the entire day there. At the moment I am just trying to make plans for the next few days.

     Highway 12 was a great route. I fear routes like those will become scarce in the next couple of weeks of the journey. I don't want a repeat of the last road trip. Day upon day of traveling on flat roads with nothing but corn and barns (on the way back from CA).

Natural Bridge Monument

April 30, 2016.

     Waking up to a car completely frosted over only pleases me due to my decision to sleep in the car. I found a camp site right off the road in the San Juan National Forest, CO. Bringing the 20 degree sleeping bag was a great decision. I've used it enough times to justify lugging it around.

     I was too cold and my body too creaky to start up the stove to warm up breakfast. Drinking water to suppress the hunger for another halfhour was my choice.
    
     After the car warmed up I left to visit the much anticipated Mesa Verde National Park. Nothing beats a long road day like a short one. The park was only 20 minutes away.

     The usual checking out the visitor center, grabbing a brochure, and chatting with a couple rangers commenced. I traveled to the musem on the opposite side of the park. Wfter checking the exhibits out for a while I then headed for a 6 mile loop in which you could get out and check out the vistas/sites. The area, history, and scenery lived up to the hype.

     After only few hours I had finished what I wanted to check out from the park. I grabbed a brunch PB &Nutella sandwhich. Pointing my finger towards the Natural Bridges National Monument I decided to take a drive. Only a few hours away and leaving Colorado I entered Utah.

     Last time I was here I was in awe from the large monolith natural walls that surrounded the nearby highway. I checked out Moab and was happy about it. This time I would be checking out a few more places, since Utah is abundant with naturally protected areas.

     Once I arrived and checked out the visitor cente I was kind of let down. They had onlu three bridges and it would take maybe an hour to check them all out by vista. The mood changed when I checked out the first bridge. They had a trail that went to the river. Only .6 mi down? That should not take me the suggested time of 1.5hrs as the sign states.

     It took an hour, haha. The trail was steep and it made looking up at the bridge from the bottom that much more satisfying. The view was cool, but Ill admit I enjoyed the hike more. The trail was maintained, but had pipes sticking out of rocks to help guide your way down some sections. Pipes and..my favorite...ladders. The ladders were neat. I couldnt get over using a wooden ladder as a part of a hike (get it..wordplay..). The way back up was exhausting and I had to take a few breathers.

     After that display of fun I checked out the other two bridges. This time I didnt downplay trails and decided to just check out the viewpoints. If it wasn't as late in the day I would have done one more trail.

     A short road day indeed. My destination to camp was right next door I found out. At the National Forest adjacent to the Natural Monument area. I drove down a muddy road snd found a site. These western states make it easy to find a gorgeous and free way to camp. The sun is making its way to set, but the large rock mountain will be blocking the rays out much sooner than the horizon. The site is muddy, but if thats the only problem of the day I am ok with it.

May 1st 2016

     Today I drove from the Natural Bridges Natural Monument area to the Capitol Reef National Park. The park was cool, but the weather is still bad. Dealing with rain and snow off and on with possibilities of thunderstorms for a few days.

     The park was cool, but the drive along highway 95 was awe inspiring. After a while along 95 I forgot a had a soundtrack for the moment. I pulled over to the side of the road and put "Scale the Summit - Carving Desert Canyons" album in. The drive was nothing like the last time I was in Utah.

     At an overlook I walked up to read the information on a board. The person in front of me near the cliffs edge turned around and asked "Amazing, isnt it?". I relplied "Not sure if that word describes it". He laughed and said, " Yeah, I dont think any word can describe it" to which I agreed. Unreal is the closest term in my vocabulary that best describes it.

     I'm sitting in a visitor center uploading a bunch of pictures. I will probably hangout here until they are all up, which will be a while. Hangin out listening to the gentlmen that works here tell his experiences of the area to all of the visitors coming in. Which is cool as well.