Monday the 18th update.
Today the goal was Cody, WY. We modified our plans a bit due to the heavy rains in the park. Originally we planned to due the Beartooth highway and end somewhere around Lander or Riverton, WY. Due to heavy snows the Beartooth was closed.
Due to fires and smoke we will avoid Colorado but still put on some miles and adventure getting home.
We rolled South and East out of Mammoth. Almost immediately we landed in a few animal jams.
It was raining and dreary for the last 1.5 days and it was getting old.
It finally stopped on the NorthEast Entrance road, but still overcast and threatening.
The Lamar Valley heards were visible and periodically close to the road.
On this trip in the park we had seen numerous bears, Buffalo, some Elk, Deer, etc, but no Moose. My wife really wanted to see a Moose. I told her they were rare but we would watch out.
About two miles before the NE Gate we found one.
I dhot him through my Binoculars while I watched the boys. The Wife walked down to the group of watchers to see it better.
From there we hit Silver Gate with a Bull;
Then on to Cooke City and started the Chief Joseph Hwy.
Slowly, but, surely, we dound our way to nice dry sunshine. It was great.
There was a recent landslide that had the highway to one lane for 50 feet:
The clouds over the Beartooth didn't look good.
Then we went around a mountain pass and we were in for it.
We were climbing high and steep - 30mph in 2nd was a workout.
Here comes the storm:
We made it to the pass.
Folks were suprised we were on vacation in the Willys with children.
More after dinner.