The crew and I leave Grassy Lake Road Camp this morning.
A small herd of mule deer gives us a proper send-off from the opposite bank of the Snake River. It’s only a glimpse — they could be elk for all I know — and they disappear before I can get a good look.
I usually avoid backtracking.
There’s so much of the West I haven’t seen that I try to make every road we travel a “new” road. Today, however, we’re going back to the Brooks Lake and Wind River Mountain area. The Tetons are on the way and one can never tire of the Tetons! I also love the ride on Highway 26 from Teton National Park to Dubois.
I haven’t seen my blog in about a week (remember this post is not in real time — I’m still catching up), and I suspect people are starting to grow concerned. I’m looking forward to a hot shower at Lava Lodge and free Wi-Fi at the Dubois laundromat, not to mention a grocery store with reasonable prices. Plus, some quiet time in familiar surroundings will do me good.
I love Wyoming!
Up ahead I see a car stopped in the roadway. Oh, probably some free range cattle in the way. I approach and bring the PTV to a halt for an oh-my-gosh, Wyoming moment. Two bison stroll across the road in front of us!
The Falls Campground is very close to Brooks Lake.
Driving east, Falls is on the right. It’s almost opposite the lefthand turn to drive five miles up the mountain to Pinnacles Campground. As beautiful as Brooks Lake is, I don’t want to go back there again this summer. The memories, from arrival to departure, are too perfect just as they are!
Falls Campground is a national forest campground with two loops.
Loop A is electric hook-up for $20 ($10 with Senior Pass).
I drive through and see the sites are too close together for me, and it’s almost full. Loop B is $7.50 with the pass and it’s nearly empty! Yes, this is nice! I pick a site within a short walk of the vault toilet. The only levelling needed is front-to-back, so I immediately unhitch and, using my pink plastic cone for support, crank the hitch to the correct height. Bridget and Spike run around, inspecting the new smells. They obviously approve of our new home.
I can hear the falls from our picnic table.
“C’mon, guys! Let’s go look!” I snap on their leashes. We pick up the path from the back of our campsite. It leads us through lovely woodland where a variety of plants and wildflowers grow happily on the rich decay below the evergreens. A log rail fence marks the cliff edge. I take a photo of the falls and the path. It’s cool here, even though it’s past noontime.
The next five days give me the solitude I thrive on.
I’m not a complete recluse however! One day while washing clothes and blogging down at the Dubois laundromat, a man sits down nearby and asks, “Is that your van out in the parking lot?”
Oh no! What’s happened? Did someone smash into the PTV?
Regaining a heartbeat I answer, “Yes, it is. Why?”
“I noticed your solar panel on the roof. What do you use it for?”
Well, that’s all I need to hear. I explain my solar set-up which leads to my lifestyle and travels and probably more information than the guy bargained for. Nonetheless, we both talk non-stop. Eventually we exchange names. He’s Greg, a mechanical engineer from San Diego. He’s lived in Dubois two years now.
He invites me to go outside and look at his truck.
“I want to show you MY solar!” He starts to crank out what looks more like an awning than solar panels. I’m very intrigued. Out comes my camera. “I’ve got to put this on my blog!” (If you’re interested, click on Solar Power at the top of this page, then click on “Another Solar Set-up” in the drop-down menu.)
“You know, Greg. Once I put this on my blog, people are going to ask questions I can’t answer. Will you answer them for me?” He agrees, so I show him where I’ll post the photos.
The days pass quickly.
Bridget, Spike, and I visit the river each day. Bridget surprises me and jumps in! I like to lie in my anti-gravity chair in our outdoor “room” which is a shady spot with a meadow view. One day I wash the BLT. Three of the five days I drive into Dubois. I get that hot shower!
On the day I plan for us to leave, I wake up, drink my coffee, eat breakfast, and go back to bed. Uh-oh, it’s happening again. It’s one of those low-energy days I experience about two or three times a year. (Remember, my last low-energy attack back in Santa Rosa, NM?). The crew and I sleep most of the morning. I guess we aren’t breaking camp today!
I walk Bridget and Spike down to the river.
We play around in the water, and I take some photos. Back at the BLT, I sleep most of the afternoon. I know not to fight it. By the next morning, my energy returns. “Hey, nutcakes! Let’s go back to Grassy Lake Road and start over!”
rvsue
rvsue and her canine crew 