My daughter ran a 50K today, and finished. I’m so proud of her. She trained for months for this, in spite of being a very busy teacher, getting up at 5 a.m. sometimes for a run. It paid off for her today. Congratulations, Thea.
I just have to write about this place where we are camping for three nights. It is SO the opposite of some of the campgrounds we have called in the last few weeks.
We are in Wapiti, WY, a few miles east of the East Gate of Yellowstone. Coming here, we passed through some of the most beautiful and amazing countryside we have seen, and it WASN’T in Yellowstone! The mountains here are eroded much like the hoodoos in Bryce Canyon. The aspens are still in full color, and the willows still have glorious green to provide a contrast to the aspens. The brush on the side of the road, which includes the ubiquitous sage, is deep mahogany, and the rabbitbush is still blooming its deep gold.
But that is just a backdrop to the wonderful campground we found; or rather, David found. When he called the number, he was told that the owner would be leaving on Monday, the campground is officially closed, but come anyway. He might not have water, he said, as the man was coming to drain all his pipes, but electric and sewer would be available.
We drove up, and were shown a spot in a very complete campground that includes an Inn, cabins, a building with a hot tub (closed for the season), and all the amenities that one could wish for. And the price was right. This owner obviously believes that after the season, one charges lower prices. Also, although the water in the campsites is turned off, there is water available in a freeze-proof faucet that we are welcome to use if we need it.
We came with plenty of water, so that is not a problem. Amazingly, this is one of the most beautiful areas we have camped in, and we have had many lovely sites. There is a river running along side of us, down a 30-foot bank. Lining the bank are young willows, still in their green dress, and all around are aspens sprouting gold and yellow and orange. It is gorgeous here!
We are in mountains, of course. Dave and I talked about our up-coming trip across Nebraska. “What will we do when we no longer have mountains on all sides?” we wondered.
But the very best offering of this campsite is the genial company. The owner opens his bar (the restaurant is closed for the season) at 4:30 each day until 6:30. Locals come in and the drinks are less than half price. But that isn’t the draw; it is the conversation, the laughter, the friendliness of everyone. We have both missed this kind of easy-going sharing and talking and telling stories. The owner is a great host, and you feel like “everyone knows your name”.
The drinks, however, are powerful, so we have had to learn, in two nights of camaraderie, to be VERY CAREFUL! It’s a small price to pay for the congenial atmosphere.
Tomorrow we go to church in Cody. We scoped it out today, and it is named Christ Church! This is the name of the first Episcopal Church I ever attended and the one where I was confirmed at 20. I look forward to meeting new people and worshipping in the church I love.
Then, on Monday, we leave for South Dakota. Hopefully it won’t snow between here and there and Nebraska. We have been incredibly lucky so far. Everywhere we go we are told this is the best autumn for years.
Life is good, when one socializes with congenial people. Thanks be to God.
October 16, 2010, Saturday, 8:10 p.m.
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