Wild West Day 9 September 29

Laundry done last night, so happy to set off for new adventures. After Walmart, we continued west towards Yellowstone.

It was a new, strange landscape, full of small mounds, almost like pyramids. At 9:00, we had our first view of the Bighorn Mountains, so exciting.

In Buffalo, we reached 4,500 feet. We hit the Powder River Pass (our PPPPP Pass for Powder, Pass, Puke, Poop and Pill-the final three for the cat!).

The mountains and our own climbs were breathtaking. We saw a herd of cattle strung out along a road at Leigh Creek.

There were signs everywhere telling us of the name of the rocks we were seeing. We DID stop in Ten Sleeps for bread, as recommended by Jerry from the Oreville campground-yum). THEN all of a sudden, we were through the mountains and the land was flat. Worland had acres of cattle corrals AND was a kitty litter producer (go Worland!).

We noticed “Junkvilles” everywhere. We thought they were mobile home “slums” then realized it was likely cheaper to keep your old cars, trucks and metal things than to transport them across this vast state.

At the Greybull Rest Area, we saw an air plane museum with “Royal Canadian Air Force” written on one. We saw “Cassie's Bar and Lounge” in Cody.

We entered Yellowstone at 4:10 with assurances that the campground had spaces. So we set off. We wanted to “hurry” so didn't take pics of the very accommodating buffalo, but did stop to see our first geyser.

We got to the campsite and were angry there were no spaces. So, on our way to Montana (cat's 18^th state) wwe DID stop for our first viewing of elk.

We found a good site, signed the waiver that we knew grizzlies were in the area, and settle for the night.

Here's the view from my chair (near the grizzly-proof dumpsters!):