On September 29th, Zach and I embarked on his annual road trip to Missoula, Montana. Zach makes this journey every year to reconnect with his college best friend and the cohort that has settled around him. These folks have embraced a more traditional, steady lifestyle, complete with families, stable jobs, and cozy routines. In contrast, Zach and I live more of a nomadic, adventurous lifestyle, akin to stray cats that found each other and decided to stick together. Over the years, we've built our own connections with people who appreciate our wandering spirits and welcome us into their homes. It's remarkable to reflect on the lives we've built individually, and now, together, we're creating something even more incredible.
I'm not sharing this to boast but to remind myself of how fortunate I am. Sometimes, amid our nomadic adventures, I take the freedom and the love of the people around us for granted. Writing this serves as a reminder of the abundance I have surrounding me. Don't get me wrong; there are moments in the middle of this lifestyle that are far from romantic or easy, but overall, I genuinely cherish this way of life.
Now, let's get back to the heart of our journey – our travels!
October has been a month filled with travel for us. The first leg of our trip started at Zach's parents' house in Canon City. It was a beautiful, sunny day, typical for the high desert of Canon City in late September. With daytime temperatures still reached 80-90 degrees, the nights were cooling down to the 60s. Mornings were delightful, with plenty of sunshine, and by the time we hit the road, it was a comfortable mid-70s. Our adventure had begun!
The drive from Canon City to Missoula, without any stops, takes approximately 15 hours. With two drivers, it's certainly doable in a single day, but we opted for a more leisurely pace. I remember the days when I used to drive 15 hours straight with minimal breaks. However, now, my lower back starts to complain after just a couple of hours, and my hips get uncomfortable after three. So, we make stops every 2-3 hours these days. This change in pace is why we decided to split our journey into two days.
Our initial plan was to reach Billings, Montana on the first day and then continue to Yellowstone the following day. But Zach had other ideas. About three hours into the drive, he started plotting a new course, making our overnight stop in Cody, Wyoming. Why Cody, you ask? There were a few compelling reasons. First, it reduced our first day's drive to 10 hours instead of 12. Second, it allowed us to see more of Yellowstone. Lastly, it gave us the chance to experience the 50-mile drive from Cody to the East Entrance of Yellowstone, hailed as the "most scenic 50 miles in the world" by Theodore Roosevelt. With all these reasons combined, it was a no-brainer.
So, we made the change and booked a night at Buffalo Bill Village through Expedia. The place was cozy and clean, perfect for arriving late and hitting the road early the next morning. That's precisely what we did. We got to Cody around 7:45 in the evening, grabbed dinner from Thai Thai, devoured it, took quick showers, and called it a night. The following day, we went in search of breakfast and settled on The Station. It had options to accommodate Zach's dietary restrictions (gluten and dairy-free) and served a fantastic decaf Americano for me. With our energy replenished, we set off to witness the awe-inspiring views that awaited us in Yellowstone.
Believe me when I say that old Teddy didn't exaggerate. The drive through this part of the country was nothing short of epic. The mountains, rivers, reservoirs, and ravines we encountered rivaled the landscapes within Yellowstone itself. It was spectacular, and the few photos and videos we took hardly did justice to the beauty we witnessed. I couldn't help but get emotional at the sheer magnificence of this journey. It was an incredible way to kick off our Yellowstone adventure.
Upon entering Yellowstone, we had to make the obligatory stop at the sign, followed by an unplanned encounter with a bison relaxing by the roadside. Although it wasn't part of the plan, it presented the perfect photo opportunity, and I convinced Zach to make a brief stop for a picture, despite his earlier encouragement for minimizing stops within the park. Oops!
Our first planned stop was at the visitors' center at Fishing Bridge on Yellowstone Lake. The place offered stunning lake views, complete with the picturesque Fishing Bridge over Yellowstone River, where Zach tried to spot native cutthroat trout. What surprised me about this area was the range of amenities it provided. There was a welcoming center, clean restrooms, a general store, and a gas station, along with an RV campground. It struck me how people could spend weeks at a time in Yellowstone with such convenience. While I must admit I’m a novice to camping in National Parks, the little village surrounding this area made me realize how easy such conveniences would allow people to stay weeks at a time in Yellowstone.
After our pit stop, a pivotal decision lay before us: do we turn right and explore the northern loop from Yellowstone's East and West entrances, or do we veer left, embarking on the southern route? The primary allure of the southern path was the chance to witness the famous Old Faithful geyser in action. But to witness her spectacular eruption, timing had to be on our side. Waiting around for an hour wasn't an option for the quick trip. Moreover, Zach, a seasoned Yellowstone visitor, had witnessed Old Faithful's performance multiple times in the past. However, the attractions along the northern route were new to him as well as me. Thus, we turned right to experience the guaranteed scenic beauty, a choice that, in hindsight, we're certain was the right one.
Our first destination along this path was the awe-inspiring Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River. This location played a central role in Yellowstone becoming a National Park. It was one of the main locations captured during the Washburn Expedition. Specifically, Inspiration Point was the very spot where Thomas Moran stood to capture the "Grand Canyon of Yellowstone," immortalizing both the Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River. Words fail to do justice to the breathtaking views before our eyes, and I won't attempt to describe it. Take a look at the images captured by Zach and me, or search online if you haven't had the chance to witness it in person – you'll find all the more reason to plan your visit!
Our next stop was the Norris Geyser Basin. This particular attraction was a compromise along our journey. Zach was initially inclined to skip it due to time constraints. However, I insisted on visiting since we had foregone Old Faithful. Even with this plan in place, every step of the way, Zach kept 'checking in' to ensure I was still enthusiastic about the detour. As we approached the parking lot, we agreed that if we didn't find an available space without difficulty, we would skip it. Fortunately, luck was on our side as we secured the last parking spot just as someone was leaving.
I'm happy luck was on our side. Witnessing the stunning pools and hot pots in the hydrothermal area of the Norris Basin was nothing short of remarkable. The various colors – Caribbean blue, jungle green, rust red, and clay gray – were fascinating to observe. As a science nerd, I absorbed every bit of information on the plaques that explained how various thermophiles create these striking colors. These areas are unique microcosms, each harboring different organisms that thrive on the minerals and elements released from the earth's cracks. The rust-red colors come from organisms that feed on iron, while the jungle-green ones benefit from warmth and photosynthesis processes, giving rise to the green hues. It's incredible how these organisms have adapted to thrive in their unique environments.
Norris Basin is also home to fumaroles, and while we didn't explore the entire area due to our time constraints, we did take a short stroll to see an Emerald Pool. The color of this pool convinced Zach that he had to capture the various geological features we'd encountered throughout the day through his art. I must say, my insistence on this stop turned out to be worth the extra artistic inspiration.
Leaving Norris Geyser Basin behind, we made a beeline for our exit through the West Entrance of Yellowstone. This exit, which marked the end of our day in the park, led us to the town of West Yellowstone in Montana. This town held a special place in Zach's heart; he lived there for a summer or two working at a local fly shop, exploring Yellowstone, and honing his own fly-fishing skills which later allowed him to become the world traveled guide. We stopped his old shop now called Big Sky Anglers, having been renamed from Bud Lilly Fly Shop, which was its original moniker.
After this nostalgic detour, we made a quick stop in Twin Bridges, where Zach retrieved his repaired R.L. Winston Fly Rod. As we continued our drive to Missoula, the weather took a turn to the colder and rainier side. We decided to listen to Viola Davis's memoir, "Finding Me," on Audible. Her story is remarkable, detailing her journey as an actor and her hardships growing up in a poverty-stricken and abusive household. It was an inspiring companion for our road trip.
Our day ended with dinner at Five on Black in downtown Missoula before we arrived at Zach's friend John's house, where we were warmly greeted by a group of friends. It was a fitting conclusion to an eventful and fun-filled journey from Canon City to Missoula.
In summary, our road trip was a fun little 48-hr adventure, taking us from the high desert of Canon City to the scenic beauty of Yellowstone and finally landing us in the welcoming embrace of Missoula. This short trip was only the beginning to our 3-week voyage from CO-MT-ID-UT before we fly south for the winter.
Stay tuned as our travels continue!
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