Tuesday, July 10
Now that I have a working air card, the crew and I go west across the prairie to Shoshone. There isn’t much to see for those 98 miles, except a few pronghorn grazing along the two-lane road. We come upon a small park in Shoshone so I pull in so we can eat our lunch. While walking Bridget and Spike around the park to release their pent-up energy, I strike up a conversation with two men at a picnic table.
It’s a fortuitous meeting.
One is from Idaho and the other is from Missouri. The Idahoan knows the Yellowstone and Grand Tetons area right down to the gravel roads.
“Take Highway 26 through Riverton and on up to Dubois. That road will take you up to where there are trees and it’s a lot cooler. It follows the Wind River. Not far past Dubois are three really nice National Forest parks. You should go that way.”
He shows me the way on his map.
“Whatever you do, once you get to Jackson, don’t take Highway south. It’s 15% grade. Go around through Wilson.”
I thank them both and take the crew back to the table by the PTV.
While we’re eating, a lady pulls up to walk her husky.
She looks wistfully at the BLT. “I like your trailer. I was going to get a trailer when I retired and travel around.”
“Maybe you could still do that,” I offer.
“No, no. I have a nice home in Santa Barbara. I could never leave it.” I don’t reply.
“I should have done it when I retired. Now I never will.”
Back on the road, we drive about three more hours.
When Wind River appears, I stop and take some photos. It’s a beautiful river. I continue on through Dubois, on a lookout for the three campgrounds.
I see the sign for Brooks Lake and turn onto the gravel road.
The sign says it’s five miles. We keep going up and up to at least 9,000 feet, probably more. Right before the campground entrance the lake comes into view. We cross a small bridge over a stream where several people are fishing.
The setting for this campground is gorgeous!
I find a campsite and get us settled for one night ($7.50). I’ve got my eye on one of three campsites that have a spectacular view of the lake. I mention this to camp hosts, Joe and Debbie from Kansas. Joe tells me that campsite #3 will be empty tomorrow morning around nine. “I think it’s the best campsite here. I’ll check with the people and let you know when it opens up. Be ready to move around nine in the morning.”
Around sundown I change into long pants and my fleece jacket.
I close up the windows at bedtime because I can tell it will be too cool for fresh air.
By nine-thirty the next morning the crew and I are happily camped in the most beautiful campsite imaginable. Take a look at this slideshow and see if you don’t agree. And we’re not very far from Yellowstone and the Tetons!
This camp is so perfect the crew and I are going to stay for several days.
rvsue
P.S. Since I don’t have internet on the mountain, my blog posts are irregular. Thank you for your comments. I can’t respond right away, but I’m sure to read every one. The next post I’ll include the visit by a mama grizzly and her two cubs!
rvsue and her canine crew 