Day 45 - Onward to Seattle, WA to meet Walter

Day 45 – Tuesday: July 30, 2013, miles ridden today: 324.0

Total Miles traveled to date: 12031.0

I awoke early, took a picture of the hanging Smiths:

Hammocks w/Tarp protecting them from Rain

Tim, sons Wes & Riley, and Yours Truly George

Gathering my things, I hiked to the showers, which happened to be at the base camp pavilion. Upon my return they were pretty much packed up and ready to roar off in the direction of Deadhorse via Glacier NP. I decide to let my tent dry and went back to the restaurant for my morning meal of OM+T+C.

When I returned, things were still pretty damp, so I packed the tent gear into a mess bag Winnie had provided me for such circumstances, and off I went headed for Jackson Hole.

Interesting Archway 

I decided to turn west at Rt 22, Teton Mountain Pass. At the summit it was such a beautiful day I decided to stop, snack, and pull out that wet tent to dry. Here I am holding the corners and letting it flop in the breeze; I must have looked like a parasailer to those driving by.

Pullout near Summit where I dried out Tent

Back Side of Tetons

Unfortunately I had to ride a couple of hundred miles of I-15, boring! However it got real exciting when I observed a big black cloud ahead with no avenue for escape. When it hit, it scared the shit out of me. Never felt such sever cross winds, and I attempted to slow down to pull over and it got worse. I know I’d go over had I stopped. It only lasted 10 minutes, but the rain, hail, and winds made it hell.

Interesting sight, noticed this and from a distance, they had me fooled:

I decided to return to Fairmont RV Campground since it was on the path to Missoula, MT that is on the way to Seattle, WA. I was able to get the same Tee-Pee I had Sunday evening. I just happened to ask the attendant if a black cap turned up. She said no, and I responded that’s too bad, as it was my favorite because it folded. She said, hold on a minute, the word “Folding” caught her attention and she checked. Sure enough, I have my hat again. So, I stowed gear, showered and changed, walked to Fairmont Springs Resort for dinner and sat in same booth as I did Sunday evening.

Sitting there finishing up dinner and reading the news on my iPhone, a woman came up to my table and asked, “Are you George”? I looked up and it was Pat Holly my next-door neighbor. What the hell! She was sitting across the room with her Dad and son and kept looking over and said “that’s George”. What a small world!

They have been at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort for a week, her other three sibling had already returned home, so that her 83 year old father Gary W. could attend his high school reunion in Wisdom, MT (just outside of Anaconda, MT where we’re all staying).

Gary and I had a lot to discuss, he did work for Kawasaki USA a Controller and in the legal department, and knew Walt F. who I know too from Streetmasters. Again, what a small world! Pats son just returned from an Adventure too. He backpacked down through South America.

They gave me a tip to go into Anaconda for breakfast at Donavan’s in the morning. I said my good-byes, see you in a few weeks and off to the camp to do my laundry, update blog, and hit the crib (Tee-Pee).

Goodnight,