Flying the Edge of America
Yellowstone National Park (Part Two)
The motel Julia and David stayed in during their time at Yellowstone was just a few blocks from West Yellowstone's main drag. Although its exterior appeared shabby, the room was clean and offered excellent wireless Internet access. Inside, it resembled a cozy mountain cabin with wooden walls and timber ceilings. A mini-kitchen area, adorned with flowery ruffled curtains, added a homely touch. It seems the wooden cabin theme is prevalent across many American motels. This particular motel offered relative luxury with its kitchen and two bedrooms.
Lazy G Motel
They strung a shoelace washing line in the second bedroom, which became their personal underwear drying room - a common practice on their travels around the USA. Julia couldn't help but ponder the housekeepers' thoughts about their "smalls" hanging about. Their accommodation was called "Lazy G Motel," a name Julia found intriguing, often wondering if the letter G could indeed be "lazy."
After settling in, they explored the town on foot. West Yellowstone, with its small permanent population and bustling seasonal influx of workers and visitors, has a symmetrical grid layout. Main Street, flanked by restaurants and tourist shops, leads to the park's west entrance. Life-size, multicolored buffalo sculptures scattered around town caught their attention, introducing them to what they humorously dubbed "Kitsch America."
Good Old Faithful
Yellowstone National Park teems with wildlife, from bald eagles and bison to brown and grizzly bears. Numerous warnings and guidelines about avoiding bear encounters are provided by the park service, such as making noise while hiking or traveling only in daylight hours. Instructions on handling bear encounters include staying still and backing off slowly, which Julia found hard to imagine in the face of a charging 1,000-pound animal. Though eager to see bears in theory, Julia and David were relieved not to meet one during solitary hikes.
Their apprehension grew with each hike, especially after hearing about a recent black bear sighting on one of their trails. Though hiking poses several risks - broken bones, bites, and blisters - a bear attack became their primary concern. They carried gear like a GPS emergency locator, rain protection, extra food, and water, yet their imaginations conjured gruesome scenarios of bear attacks.
West entrance to Yellowstone
One particular trail heightened their anxiety. A ranger had ominously warned, "There are many bears on that trail, so be very careful." Undeterred, they embarked on the hike, admiring wildflowers, buffalo, and the Yellowstone River. However, fresh bear droppings along the trail in a deserted forest intensified their unease. Despite traversing gorgeous landscapes, the omnipresent sense of being on bear territory was palpable. Fortunately, the bears chose to remain unseen, allowing Julia and David to complete their trek unharmed.
Continue the adventure in my next excerpt from Flying the Edge of America.