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101 Monroe Street
Carthage, NC 28327
Across from Courthouse.
It was somewhat complicated by her reluctance
to leave her ‘babies’ at home or in a kennel.
Babies in this case being a Collie, Dachshund,
and a Jack Russell.
Oh, well we have truck will travel, first thing
get small truck camper, it had to have AC,
cooking etc. but not a big expense. It did not
alter the Dodge’s driving or mileage all that
much either.
The plan was to try and drive the three most
scenic routes in North America, Trail Ridge
Road, Beartooth Highway and the Going to the
Sun Highway. All in a little over two weeks. Yikes!!
Departing NC, we worked our way to
Kentucky for the first night, nice campground
with all amenities. Then on to St. Louis for some
sights, the Music city block and the Budweiser
Brewery and, of course, the Arch. Full day, then
it was westward Ho.
Overnight in Kansas and a day drive into
Denver. Botanical Gardens and Red Rocks,
through the Foothills to Estes Park. Small
mechanical problem put a one day delay into
the plan, and then it was up the pass. Rocky
Mountain National Park and the famed Trail
Ridge Road. Topping out over 12,000 feet above
sea level. Kim did experience some flatlander
panic due to lack of oxygen. Still plenty of snow
and some new stuff coming down, this was the
end of June so the swelter of NC summer was all
but forgotten.
Short drive from Grand Lake and down to
US 40 over Rabbit Ears Pass to one of my former
homes, Steamboat Springs. Daughter Amanda
lives there, and we had a great two day visit.
From there another daughter awaited in Jackson,
Wyoming. Spent another two days taking the
tram to the top of the mountain. Wildlife Art
museum, Kids museum, (daughter founded this
one). The Elk Refuge and the Million Dollar Bar.
Interesting side note. Met the bar manager and
we discovered some similarities. He was a pilot,
owned a plane, was in Vietnam same time I was.
And our birthdays were within two weeks. He
has managed this bar for nearly 34 years and he
was born in the Moore County Hospital! Neat.
Stop by and say hello from the county if you
pass through, everyone has to stop and have one
sitting in the western saddle bar stools. It right
next to the arches of elk antlers on the square.
Next was Grand Teton Park, Jenny Lake and
on to Yellowstone. Booked a room at Old Faithful,
wonderful cottage within walking range to the
Geysers and the Inn. The day tours took us to the
Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River.
Extremely spectacular, especially the hike down
to edge of the Lower Falls. Your toes will tingle as
you stand just feet from the 300 ft drop of water.
One suggestion, don’t go to Yellowstone
during July and August, it is absolutely
overpopulated with Chinese, Japanese and
Middle Eastern tourists. Couldn’t find a geyser
tour in English, all Chinese writing!
Oh well, after three days of bears, elk, deer,
bison, stinky geysers and fantastic scenery it
was time to go up again. Cooke City, Montana
and the Beartooth Highway. Only a bit over
10,000 feet above the ocean on this one. Still
12 ft. snow drifts and chilly but a spectacularly
clear day. Kim did not have any altitude issues
even though the road is mostly switchbacks
and a few wrecked cars that didn’t maneuver
correctly down in the ravines. Short stay in Red
Lodge, town has turned into an artisan locale;
in my day it was all cowboy, rodeos were the
biggest thing in town then.
Tactical change of plans were agreed to at
this point. Rather than Glacier Park we decided
to mosey towards home and be able to take
some sights at a less frantic pace and not have
to drive 800 miles a day. Short stop in Billings
and off to the Black Hills. Deadwood, Crazy
Horse, Mt Rushmore all done in a leisurely two
plus days based out of Deadwood. The tourists
of Yellowstone disappeared, and it was quite
enjoyable. Off to Rapid City and Badlands
National Park. They are truly ‘’bad’ lands. Eroded
dirt and lush grass. Lots of deer and antelope
and even Mountain Sheep.
Of course, Wall Drug got us off the interstate
for a few hours. If one has never driven through
the Dakotas you don’t know the meaning of
‘tourist traps’ every 20-50 miles has some signage
urging you to see a one of kind something.
Trying to avoid the worst we pulled into Murdo,
SD. Nice pet friendly motel under $100, and of
course the next day we were given a discount
ticket to take in the town's biggest attraction. A
museum of cars, tractors and all kinds of stuff,
20 some buildings stuffed with oddities from all
over the country. An unexpected treat not on
our itinerary, and after 4 hours we had a nice
unplanned break.
Hit the road, I - 90 awaits the rolling tires.
No plan in mind and another night on the road
with spare time to get home a day early. Picked
up some brochures coming into Tennessee, and
lo and behold Nashville for the night and let's go
on the Bourbon Tour. Seeing the distilleries and
how bourbon is made kind of made me thirsty. A
very interesting and educational day. Depleted
the bank account a little as well, just had to take
some home.
Last night on the road was shared in Knoxville.
We arrived back at the farm Saturday night with
Sunday to rest up for work on Monday after the
5,647 miles traveled.
Our summer vacation 2017. Try one of your
own next summer, don’t plan too much, just go.
For more info on Jim Murray, see ad p. 27.
The Yellowstone River around 692 miles long.
Grand Tetons, part of the Rocky Mtns.
p.6 The Pinehurst Gazette, Inc. No. 129