From Nebraska To The Grand Tetons

Hi all:

We left Missouri with the memory of visiting the arch nestling next to our previous experiences in Nashville, Opryland, Lost River Cave, a lovely 100 mile GPS misadventure and the two days it took to get the heck out of Florida after adding a sway-bar to the towing rig to compensate for the A/C and generator at the rear of the Scamp.

After riding beside three states full of corn, we entered Nebraska where the land flattened from the previous rolling farmland into a horizon-to-horizon vista of scrub, mixed with ranches and sparsely located (and populated) towns. 

After many miles, we could see hills in the distance, which signaled the end of the prairie and beginning of the foothills as we approached the Continental Divide.

(Nebraska giving way to the foothills in the distance.)

When we got close enough, we could see the tortured results from tectonic battles outlined in whites, yellows, browns, greens, reds and purples. Each color forming horizontal bands that resulted in formations called Spanish Skirts after the colorful outfits worn by the ladies of the Southwest.

(Spanish Skirts)  

Our current destination was Grand Teton National Park - and when we finally left the foothills of Nebraska and Wyoming we could see soaring rocky mountains (not the REAL Rocky Mountains - just SOME rocky mountains). We thought we were done for the day and at the park. Well, as you can believe, a glance at the map showed that we still had hundreds of miles until we got to the real Grand Tetons.

Miles later, we did find the Tetons - shrouded in clouds, standing high, and as we learned sparse in oxygen (pant, pant, pant).

(The Grand Tetons - looming in the distance.)

Without undue problem (not that we were due any problems, however, it did seem like a good way to lead off this sentence) we arrived at the Grand Teton National Park and found a site for the night. Our plan, after the looonnnnggg day we had put in, was to collapse gracefully, go for a few walks and leave the next morning early enough to beat the hordes trying to find campsites in Yellowstone. With confidence, we knew that we would be the only ones with "The Plan."

After taking a few walks, we turned in for the night. Sharon became elected to walk the dog at 7 the next morning. She bundled up, leashed the dog and stepped outside as Doug stumbled towards his shaving kit. Two seconds later, Sharon threw open the door and stage-whispered, "Moooooose!" and then promptly disappeared with iPhone/camera in hand. Seems the moose were here before the campers and they still conducted their morning sojourn through the grounds to the nearby river on a daily basis. So, if you want to see wildlife in Grand Teton National Park- you won't need your walking shoes!

(The Morning Breakfast Club At Our Campsite.)

 (The Teton range near our campsite.)

And, it's cold up in the mountains, as is testified by the permanent glacier on Grand Teton.

(Grand Teton)

We parted The Tetons, crossed the Continental Divide about three more times during our meander to Yellowstone and set up our new campsite - but I suppose that's a story for another day...

Sharon and Doug

Missouri -

Traveling still, going from Nashville towards Missouri.

On the way, we discovered Lost River Cave - well, we were captured by the many billboards that showed folks floating through the cave on boats! So, here we go, signed up, got the lecture, learned about the Union soldier bodies in the "infinitely deep" blue holes near the cave following a simple swim to get away from the heat.

The cave has a history of destruction for any business mounted above it, including the original still (the fellow's wife was relieved, so they say) and a flour mill that got power from the flowing waters. Today's gift shop is now located at the top and the guides are all "just waiting for history to repeat."

Here's a picture from inside the cave. Of special note is "wishing rock" a low outcropping that required the passengers to duck waaaaay down. As was explained by the pilot of the craft - "If you don't duck, you'll be wishing you did!"

After the Lost River Cave, we continued West and shortly thereafter we spied the St. Louis Arch, followed Maggie (our Magellan) down to the river walkways, found a place to park the rig and toured the arch. We watched the 20-minute film about construction of the arch and are totally convinced that high-steel workers are absolutely insane. Once Doug watched the movie he was having serious reservations about taking the elevator (four person tram) to the top!  For me, Sharon, it was like an amusement park ride and I was ready to scream at any moment.  The creaky sounds as it kept rocking and climbing to the tippy top of the arch, 630 feet.  What a cool experience.

(The Arch from the Interstate.)

Amazing construction techniques and ingenuity combined to make this great sculpture and monument. 

By holding Doug's hand, I, Sharon,  managed to get him into the tram and all the way to the top and as you can imagine, the other two passengers had to succumb to as many jokes and stories as we had time for, all 630 feet worth.   Took some great photos of the "arch view."

(The arch's shadow spreading across the park.)

When we were ready to descend, the tram we selected had some "technical troubles" all we really remember is a guide pushing his way through the congestion at the top of the arch while muttering something about the problems "in the middle of a code 3." Oh Good Lord - What's a CODE 3?

(Downtown St. Louis and the old capitol from the arch.)

We made it down, unscathed, needless to say.

Further West, Sharon was wondering if there was anything else to see in Missouri besides the arch and corn.  So she did some searching on her phone and found a little german town that sounded so quaint, we just had to stop.  Just in the nick of time as the exit was only a couple of miles down the highway.  Then about 16 miles down a sweet county road…Hermann, Missouri. We also saw a sign for wine tasting and between the two attractions we stopped, sampled some wine, selected a bottle, had some bratwurst (at least Doug did) and drove through the little town. We found a community park where they allow camping, so we hunkered down for another night on the road.

The next morning we both looked at each other and said, "let's get to Yellowstone"  - on with the adventure.

'Till the next tale of triumph, infamy, perseverance, obstacle and fame - Cya.

On the road - Summer 2013

Finally got on the road and left Florida in the rain. Stayed in Gainesville (didn't get far) as the Scamp had a sway from the added weight of the air conditioner plus the added carry rack in the back for the generator we picked up for a song (maybe a typical Doug-song-and-dance).

Anyhow, in Gainesville we changed the radial tires that we had picked up for the trailer during an emergency on a weekend late last year. Seems that despite the solid recommendations from the dealer (the only game in the town we were stuck in), the radial tires will cause sway, unlike true bias ply trailer tires that all have a stiffer side wall. Anyhow, we now have a set of radials in the back of the Jeep and a new set of biased on the scamp. In addition, Doug wanted to sleep at night, so we stopped at a trailer shop and added a sway control bar.

Guess What!!!!!! The scamp now pulls like a dream, no sway, no jump, bump, etc. 

Well, we started slowly, made it out of Florida after about two days and headed north towards Nashville.

Our primary goal is getting to Yellowstone, but we shall see how far we get before we need to turn around.

As it turns out, we're both pretty happy just getting out of the house, though we miss the comforts and our friends back home. But, sitting and talking, joking and watching the scenery is pretty relaxing as anyone that has done a road trip can attest.

We got to Nashville and started a quick tour and were ALMOST going to move along when we thought we'd be fools to skip a show. 

We went to the Crazy Horse Saloon one night and watched a great Country/Rock/Pop band and followed that with a night in Opryland at the Grand Ole Opry House! Yeeeeee Haaaaaaa!

Both nights were a blast and we sadly journeyed onward with St. Louis in our sights….

Here are some pics!

(The grand ole opry......going to a show tonight!)

The world famous Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville.....went there last night.  Had a blast.

Our squirt of a trailer next to the big rig......our trailer isn't much bigger than their popout.....they also parked practically on top of us. My goodness, we're sleeping in something the size of someone else's closet!

They didn't calculate for their popout when they parked and it actually hit the power post between the two units! They had to move an inch, which is all they did. Still on top of us.

Funny thing is that we're trying to figure out how to travel smaller - so far we know we can skip the extra cooler that we carry in the Jeep - plus half the clothes we drag with us and the extra pots and pans - then we see this house next to us and we just laugh. Doug keeps mentioning the hot tub for the next trip… after all, it is only a three person tub…

Hugs to all.

Sharon, Doug and Bandit.