Don’t Be A Tourist, Be A Traveller
Dear Pendleton,
Writing to let you know, Marie and I arrived in Yellowstone on Sunday. As you had recommended, we drove north on the South Loop to Canyon. The views of Lake Yellowstone were stunning. They reminded us of driving the Pacific Coast Highway in California. We also experienced an interesting 25 minute bison ‘traffic jam’ near Trout Creek.
It was our very good fortune to have met you and Sally at Walrus Bar in Bismarck. Both Marie and I were upset about our lost bags and having to cancel our Day #1 travel plans to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park. However, our spirited conversation that night about past lives including; professions, kids and travel greatly helped to ease our frustration. Okay, the whisky helped too.
Like you, we typically enjoy speaking with other strangers while traveling. We often find that when discussing a common trip (i.e. country/state) taken or planned it can open up wonderful ideas or suggestions we may not have considered. We small band of wanderlust enthusiasts need to stick together!
I laughed when you said you and Sally always take the scenic route. We are also of that same mindset. BTW - Thanks for suggesting driving Iron Mountain Road into Mount Rushmore. It was epic.
In Custer, we met Michelle proprietor of the Chalet Motel. She recommended excellent locations for me to shoot sunrise and sunset photos. You would like her. She’s just your type, Cowboy.
Per your recommendation we contacted your friend Joe Pickett in Casper. He had Marie and I laughing late into the night sharing drinks at the Wyoming Ale Works regaling us with stories from your college days at BU. I can easily see how you both became friends. Like you he is a real standup guy.
Tonight, I’m gazing up into the heavens staring at the Full Buck Super Moon over the darkened Yellowstone lands. For these past 10 days I’ve been living (only) on a light breakfast, no lunch, hearty dinner, outdoor activities, at most 4-5 hours sleep per night, and oh yeah, some nightly whisky.
I feel ten years younger!
This trip Out West was the exact remedy we both needed! Even before this COVID pandemic happened. We really needed to find ourselves and remind ourselves about what really matters and what is important in our lives. A major reset/reboot if you will.
I find a change of scenery and the people you meet along the way often gives you a new perspective on sizing up those life priorities whether they be people, work or recreation.
As such, we’re both hoping to put into practice this fitness, nature, stop worrying about the small stuff mentality reinforced out here once we get back home to Exit 4. That’s Jersey speak!
Please give Sally our best. Sending prayers that her upcoming hip surgery is successful and you’re both traveling again real soon.
I would love for you and Sally to come visit us for a week at the Jersey Shore. We can take you to this tiny shore town called Brigantine that I know you both would love. We could golf on the bay and the girls could hang at the beach.
They’ve got this little beach bar where we could drink whisky and listen to the cover bands play music from the 70s/80s making us feel half our age again.
However, I also know you swore you would never come East again after you both retired from teaching and those horrible Boston winters.
Perhaps you could visit us in Crystal Beach, Texas. As you recall, Marie has family in Houston. Galveston would be way too touristy for you, but on Crystal Beach, you both could ride your ponies on the shoreline, Cowboy.
Regards,
Your friend
“Writer from Jersey”
PS - If you’re game, I love to dust off my skis for a guys weekend in Jackson Hole. Last one to the bottom buys the booze at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar!
Photos: Hiking/Exploring South Loop Geyser Trail. Concluding with dinner at Grant Village and Bison “traffic jam” returning home to Rhyolite Lodge, Canyon (YNP).
Blue Sunday
“It’s a blue Sunday. When it’s time to leave, you go.” ~ Tom Petty.
As we headed north on 89 from Colter Bay towards Yellowstone National Park(YNP), Marie as if on cue said, “Good bye Grand Tetons. We are on to the next great adventure.”
I looked over at my co-pilot and best friend of these past 40 years and smiled broadly!
Little did we know…..that roughly 12 hours later we would do just that!
It was dusk. A beautiful sunset was in progress on our left as we weaved through the s-shaped turns of the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Highway. A perfect ending to a perfect day!
He were heading north from Old Faithful towards Canyon Village approaching Norris Junction. Both of us tired but excited from the day’s activities and earlier drive north.
That’s exactly when Mr. Bison appeared!
I’m not sure how I saw him but he started to cross the road in front of me maybe thirty yards ahead and then promptly stopped. By the time I fully braked, I was now about 40 feet away.
We kinda stared at each other. Would he charge? Would he continue?
Marie exclaimed, “What are we going to do?”
Well…. You know that Clash song - “Should I stay or should I go?”
Thankfully, he paused for what seemed an eternity. I floored it and raced by!
I quickly looked in my rear view mirror as he slowly crossed to the other side of the road behind us. I thought I heard him mutter, “Goddamn tourists,” under his breath!
Mere seconds later….Marie says, “Oh my God! How did you see him?”
To which I replied, “I can’t believe I didn’t get the photo. Can we go back?”
Now, if strangers were to ask me to describe our 40 year marriage, how Marie and I interact, our differences and similarities - I think this would be my ultimate ‘Time Capsule’ response!
Up until those thirty seconds, the rest of our days’ activities paled in comparison but included; Lovely dinner at the turn of the century iconic Old Faithful Inn (est. 1904), witnessing Old Faithful (Geyser) eruption at dusk, photos of waterfalls, quiet streams and one glorious Sunday evening sunset overlooking the grassy western plains.
All cool things which I will NEVER remember given our close encounter with Mr. Bison.
Tomorrow, I plan on petitioning YNP Park Service personnel to institute a Bison Crossing device at the corner of Norris & Canyon!
Just another crazy experience with my girl!
S&M
Official members of the Fluffy Cow Association
July 10, 2022
PS - In preparation for this trip, both Marie and I have been religiously following National Park Service website updates for months. This has incl
Dear Pendleton,
Writing to let you know, Marie and I arrived in Yellowstone on Sunday. As you had recommended, we drove north on the South Loop to Canyon. The views of Lake Yellowstone were stunning. They reminded us of driving the Pacific Coast Highway in California. We also experienced an interesting 25 minute bison ‘traffic jam’ near Trout Creek.
It was our very good fortune to have met you and Sally at Walrus Bar in Bismarck. Both Marie and I were upset about our lost bags and having to cancel our Day #1 travel plans to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park. However, our spirited conversation that night about past lives including; professions, kids and travel greatly helped to ease our frustration. Okay, the whisky helped too.
Like you, we typically enjoy speaking with other strangers while traveling. We often find that when discussing a common trip (i.e. country/state) taken or planned it can open up wonderful ideas or suggestions we may not have considered. We small band of wanderlust enthusiasts need to stick together!
I laughed when you said you and Sally always take the scenic route. We are also of that same mindset. BTW - Thanks for suggesting driving Iron Mountain Road into Mount Rushmore. It was epic.
In Custer, we met Michelle proprietor of the Chalet Motel. She recommended excellent locations for me to shoot sunrise and sunset photos. You would like her. She’s just your type, Cowboy.
Per your recommendation we contacted your friend Joe Pickett in Casper. He had Marie and I laughing late into the night sharing drinks at the Wyoming Ale Works regaling us with stories from your college days at BU. I can easily see how you both became friends. Like you he is a real standup guy.
Tonight, I’m gazing up into the heavens staring at the Full Buck Super Moon over the darkened Yellowstone lands. For these past 10 days I’ve been living (only) on a light breakfast, no lunch, hearty dinner, outdoor activities, at most 4-5 hours sleep per night, and oh yeah, some nightly whisky.
I feel ten years younger!
This trip Out West was the exact remedy we both needed! Even before this COVID pandemic happened. We really needed to find ourselves and remind ourselves about what really matters and what is important in our lives. A major reset/reboot if you will.
I find a change of scenery and the people you meet along the way often gives you a new perspective on sizing up those life priorities whether they be people, work or recreation.
As such, we’re both hoping to put into practice this fitness, nature, stop worrying about the small stuff mentality reinforced out here once we get back home to Exit 4. That’s Jersey speak!
Please give Sally our best. Sending prayers that her upcoming hip surgery is successful and you’re both traveling again real soon.
I would love for you and Sally to come visit us for a week at the Jersey Shore. We can take you to this tiny shore town called Brigantine that I know you both would love. We could golf on the bay and the girls could hang at the beach.
They’ve got this little beach bar where we could drink whisky and listen to the cover bands play music from the 70s/80s making us feel half our age again.
However, I also know you swore you would never come East again after you both retired from teaching and those horrible Boston winters.
Perhaps you could visit us in Crystal Beach, Texas. As you recall, Marie has family in Houston. Galveston would be way too touristy for you, but on Crystal Beach, you both could ride your ponies on the shoreline, Cowboy.
Regards,
Your friend
“Writer from Jersey”
PS - If you’re game, I love to dust off my skis for a guys weekend in Jackson Hole. Last one to the bottom buys the booze at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar!
Photos: Hiking/Exploring South Loop Geyser Trail. Concluding with dinner at Grant Village and Bison “traffic jam” returning home to Rhyolite Lodge, Canyon (YNP).
Blue Sunday
“It’s a blue Sunday. When it’s time to leave, you go.” ~ Tom Petty.
As we headed north on 89 from Colter Bay towards Yellowstone National Park(YNP), Marie as if on cue said, “Good bye Grand Tetons. We are on to the next great adventure.”
I looked over at my co-pilot and best friend of these past 40 years and smiled broadly!
Little did we know…..that roughly 12 hours later we would do just that!
It was dusk. A beautiful sunset was in progress on our left as we weaved through the s-shaped turns of the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Highway. A perfect ending to a perfect day!
He were heading north from Old Faithful towards Canyon Village approaching Norris Junction. Both of us tired but excited from the day’s activities and earlier drive north.
That’s exactly when Mr. Bison appeared!
I’m not sure how I saw him but he started to cross the road in front of me maybe thirty yards ahead and then promptly stopped. By the time I fully braked, I was now about 40 feet away.
We kinda stared at each other. Would he charge? Would he continue?
Marie exclaimed, “What are we going to do?”
Well…. You know that Clash song - “Should I stay or should I go?”
Thankfully, he paused for what seemed an eternity. I floored it and raced by!
I quickly looked in my rear view mirror as he slowly crossed to the other side of the road behind us. I thought I heard him mutter, “Goddamn tourists,” under his breath!
Mere seconds later….Marie says, “Oh my God! How did you see him?”
To which I replied, “I can’t believe I didn’t get the photo. Can we go back?”
Now, if strangers were to ask me to describe our 40 year marriage, how Marie and I interact, our differences and similarities - I think this would be my ultimate ‘Time Capsule’ response!
Up until those thirty seconds, the rest of our days’ activities paled in comparison but included; Lovely dinner at the turn of the century iconic Old Faithful Inn (est. 1904), witnessing Old Faithful (Geyser) eruption at dusk, photos of waterfalls, quiet streams and one glorious Sunday evening sunset overlooking the grassy western plains.
All cool things which I will NEVER remember given our close encounter with Mr. Bison.
Tomorrow, I plan on petitioning YNP Park Service personnel to institute a Bison Crossing device at the corner of Norris & Canyon!
Just another crazy experience with my girl!
S&M
Official members of the Fluffy Cow Association
July 10, 2022
PS - In preparation for this trip, both Marie and I have been religiously following National Park Service website updates for months. This has incl
© Scott Kern