To get to school in sunny southern California from my childhood home in Illinois, this year I decided to forgo my dedication to Southwest airlines and put my right foot to good use as I drove across the country. Accompanied by my dear friend, Matt, and all of our shit acquired in the last twenty something years, we began by heading north to Devil's Lake State Park near Baraboo, Wisconsin (where my brother got engaged earlier this summer!). We met some old folks who had been climbing since 1969 who let us climb a route they had drunkenly set up. Matt suggested we jump in the lake afterwards, and so we did, along with some citizens of bass lake who came out at dusk to eat some bugs off the surface of the water. I thought the bats were going to hit my head, but their sonar seemed to be functioning perfectly.
Day 2, we headed to the Badlands National Park in central South Dakota after climbing a bit more in the morning and delighting in some well-crafted tacos at Taco Bell that hit the spot. Camped, hiked, saw some big horned sheep (cool!). The strange rock formations give off an eerie vibe, but they're something to see! We hit the road, saw a bunch of jackelope (I sate on one!), saw the stunning Black Hills as well as Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse. Sped through Wyoming, stopping in both towns for gas, as there literally were two towns. Got to Dubois (pronounced Doobies by Matt), had some delicious grub at the Cowboy Cafe served by the cutest waitresses outside of Scandinavia. Hunted furiously for a campsite once we got to Grand Teton National Park. Driving at night on windy mountain roads with constant signage saying to watch out for wild animals seemed terrifying and the signs seemed overkill...until we drove underneath a Moose, or might as well have. Stunned by the height and size of the Moose that scurried off the road, we happily took a day off the next day and futzed around the Tetons.
We were off! For a three day backpacking trip in the Tetons. Death canyon trail loop, more specifically. We hiked up a gorgeous canyon, following a rambunctious river until it mellowed out. We were pooped and found a lovely campsite between fields of dancing wildflowers. We hiked out of the canyon to the shelf above, jumped in a lake and found campsite 2 near the pass we would be heading into in the morning. Matt had a few dramatic moments after seeing a cloud approaching and desperately wanting the comforts of home. The hike the third day was awesome. Through the pass, to Mordor (basically), views of two canyons, through varied forests, out through the canyon, and to the car. Great sights, no bears (kind of a let down), good company. Couldn't have asked for much more.
After some showers, we headed to Yellowstone the next day, for a three hour drive from the south to the north end of the park. Along the way, we saw Old Faithful erupt, a heard of bison napping, and a few elk crossing the road in front of us. What a show. We kept on going to Glacier National Park. Got there late, campsites were all full, so we slept in the car. Affected by tiredness and frustration and darkness, we were terrified of a bear that may or may not have existed. We couldn't get to sleep until we retrieved the pickle bucket from the roof of the car. We got up before the crack of dawn and drove the Going-to-the-sun road through Glacier.
Glacier is breathtaking. Especially at sunrise. Huge glassy lakes, peaks that intrigue and ask to be explored further, meadows full of wildflowers, big-horned sheep and mountain goats and hoary marmots that rule the land, trickling streams and waterfalls, and it feels like it goes on forever. We found a campsite early and bought some fish and chips and a glass of Moose Drool for lunch while we watched it rain from our comfy booth inside. Relaxed by taking a nap, reading, and strolling by the lake.
Next day, we headed to Mt. Rainier. The drive in the morning out of Rainier and northern Idaho was really pleasant and most of the day rolled by quickly. We stopped to jump in the lake and clean up a bit before getting to Ohanacopesh on the south side of Rainier. West Coast, baby. The trees are taller, a sense of majesty lurks, the rivers runs wilder and bluer, and it feels a bit more relaxed. Found a great, secluded campsite and slept our worries away. Headed up to Sunrise in the morning and were surprised by how chilly it was until we saw the great white mountain covered from head to toe in glaciers! We went for a fairly short hike through fields of lupines, patches of snow, and blue, blue lakes. We drove to Paradise on the south side of the mountain for some lunch and postcard-writing session. Found a campsite outside of the park.
Surprise trip to Seattle the next day for Top Pot donuts and coffee, Pike Place Market, and some cheap Thai food before we went toward Matt's home in Oregon. At sunset, we were driving through the gorge, and I was enjoying life. We saw the orchard business at work in Hood River. Next day, walked up an icy river in a bright green, mossy canyon to a waterfall deep in a narrow canyon. And headed to the Portland area for a yummy dinner. The couple days we spent in Portland were so nice. I got to catch up with a dear friend, get to know some new folks, eat some blackberries, and relax a bit.
I left Portland much too quickly for my liking. The rest of the journey I was on my own, meaning I made about 50 phone calls to keep me entertained. Driving the Oregon was pure joy. By far, the best state to drive through out of the few we saw. I crossed the border to California and headed to the coast, stopping the majestic redwoods and Crescent city right along the ocean. Those trees and pretty cool, so much character. After 10 hours of driving alone, I was happy to have a bed in Redding to sleep in. I crashed, made a Belgian waffle in the morning, mmm, and drove a comparatively short 5 hours to Bass Lake, a place that has felt like home many times.
Spent a couple days there catching up with everyone who lives there, swimming in the lake, doing some trail runs, and taking advantage of the opportunity I had to walk slowly and think deeply at a changing time in my life. Drove down to Azusa with a friend who provided some nice company. I'm now all moved in to my house of hippies. I was pleasantly surprised to find a room of my own for the semester. Without many of my friends at school this semester, I am feeling more independent than usual, and just when I was starting to feel less of a desire to be so independent. It makes for a good time to keep in touch with my friends all over the country and world, finish well in school, meet new friends, and make some money (hopefully).
This has been long, but there was a lot to say. I made somewhat of a pact to myself to write more, so maybe this is the start of that. Godspeed!
Photos to come!
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