24 June 2010

WALKABOUT 3- DAY 7 - MILE 1641: Visit To The Planet Klendathu



When I last left off, T-Rob and I had finally found buffalo in Yellowstone National Park.

That evening we hit the bar on the campground and had a few.

The following morning we hit the road for Casper, Wyoming on our way back to Denver.




But first, we had some unfinished business in Cody.

We made a quick stop at Old Trail Town, a collection of actual buildings from Wyoming's past.
















We also stopped by the Buffalo Bill Historical Center.




We pressed onward to a place I have wanted to visit for a few years now: the planet Klendathu.



Actually...it is Hell's Half Acre filling in for Klendathu, where the film Starship Troopers was filmed a few years back.




It was hoped that after the filmed came out, Hell's Half Acre would become a tourist draw. A rest area was established with restaurant and hotel/campground.

None of the buildings exist today, having been knocked down when the crowds didn't show up.





Hell's Half Acre is 40 miles from Casper. I'm not sure if you are able to walk down to the bottom or not, I did not see any way down. This would be cool hiking.






All in all this was another cool Walkabout adventure and I am glad T-Rob was once again able to join me.
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Unfortunately we were not able to explore Yellowstone as much as we would have liked [it would have been cool to visit the north gate in Gardiner, Montana where Teddy Roosevelt dedicated the park].

We also did not make it to the Grand Tetons.

I would say...a followup trip is in our future.




I'm out.

15 June 2010

WALKABOUT 3 - DAY 6 - MILE 1371: Where The Buffalo Roam



After checking in to our cabin, we hit the road towards or destination: Yellowstone National Park.




Our cabin is just outside the east gate to Yellowstone and is part of Buffalo Bill's original lodge, Pahaska Tepee.







It is still winter in this part of the country; however, the signs of the 'big thaw' are everywhere.








Lake Yellowstone is still pretty much frozen except along the shoreline.











The whole area is geologically active and feels primordial.

The odor isn't very pleasant either.




From the beginning our journey has been called WALKABOUT 3: QUEST FOR BUFFALO and thus far we had not found any.

Until now.











Elk and bison popped up along the road quite often.







































Of course no visit to Yellowstone is complete without watching Old Faithful.










































That night as we drove into the campground....T-Rob made a new friend...



We would end the day with a night cap at the Tepee Tavern, a bar on the campground.

It had been a full day and we had a long drive ahead of us in the morning.

Tonight...we had the most comfortable beds in the world...even if they had been stone slabs... zzzzzzzzz