Bear Attack !

I planned to spend the night at Yellowstone Friday and head to the Grand Tetons on Saturday morning. As is becoming the norm, I was guided another way. After the glorious Beartooth pass, it was around 8pm when I began arriving at the pre-Yellowstone campgrounds. They were all closed.

At the Yellowstone NE entrance they told me a recent bear attack had closed most of the nearby campgrounds and the only one inside the park still not full was 65 miles (about 3hrs drive) away. They suggested trying Fall Creek, about 15 miles east. I did. They wouldn’t allow me to sleep in a soft-sided vehicle (as is the case with my truck topper) so I could sleep in the very cramped cab for $23 or head back a few miles to Pilot’s Creek, a vacant space about 5 miles back where anybody can camp for free. If I was going to get eaten by a bear I may as well be doing it without paying so off I went.

Arriving at Pilot’s Creek it looked as if many people had been given this option. The only space left was next to a family setting up. I stopped and asked if they were OK with me camping beside them. They said sure. I noticed the tent just being put up so offered to help. The Sprayman's (Tyler, Dawn, Asher and Annalise) was very friendly as I came to discover. After helping them set up their tent, we spent the evening chatting, cooking hot chocolate for the kids and generally enjoying the evening.

Saturday morning I wanted to take the KTM back up to the Beartooth pass to enjoy the twisty roads I had experienced on the way in. The Sprayman’s told me they were heading into Yellowstone and had a reserved campsite. Asher (7) and Annalise (5) had taken somewhat of a liking to me and I enjoyed their good manners and behavior so with my usual assertiveness I suggested I’d be happy to share their site in Yellowstone the following night. Dawn and Tyler agreed so we met up after my ride around 3pm. Lucky me, I turned up just when the work was starting. After helping Tyler and Asher put up the tent I suggested cooking dinner for the 5 of us as a thankyou and to avoid my always melting food situation. We all enjoyed the meal and some frothy libations. I may have to detour to Missoula to see them again at their home. It’s great to meet new friends on this trip.

Took a great motorcycle ride around part of Yellowstone Canyon Country Sunday morning. Saw the Upper and Lower Falls, the Mud Volcano, Grand Canyon of Yellowstone (photos will be uploaded asap). It’s amazing what 640,000 years can do for creating beauty from devastation. I’ll relax tonight, pack up and get ready for an early morning departure to the Grand Tetons Monday. I expect to return to Yellowstone in a week or so to see the rest of the attractions.