Billings to West Yellowstone

Saturday, July 10

As Rick was packing up outside this morning, he called me to come out, but said Haley could not come. From his tone, I figured there was something to see, and asked if I should bring the camera - he said probably. So I grabbed the camera and headed outside, and he pointed to a fence separating two campsites right across the road from us. Perched on top of the fence was - a peacock! Just sitting there minding his own business. The people in the next site went about their business. The man in the tent at that site got out of his tent and walked toward the store, past us. I asked Rick is we were seeing things, since no one seemed to notice this HUGE bird sitting on a fence! Rick asked the man walking by "Do you need a leash for that thing?" The guy looked at us like we were crazy, and Rick pointed out the peacock. I won't repeat what he said, but he was more suprised by the bird - that he had just walked by! - than we were!

We went to the campground breakfast (pancakes, eggs, bacon/sausage), and on the way asked one of the employees about the peacock. He said he doesn't know where it is from - it shows up often and walks around, then may disappear for a while before coming back.

We headed out about 9:00, traveling Rt. 90 to Bozeman, MT, then heading down 191 along the Gallatin River. Rt. 90 follows the Yellowstone River, and I must say, I think I have found a rival to 'my river', the Susquehanna. It is not nearly as wide as the SusQ, but very beautiful. We had 88 miles on 191 - a 2-lane road through the Gallatin National Forest, with 20 miles in the western edge of Yellowstone. We saw kayakers, white water rafters and fly fishermen everywhere. Saw a deer, and a herd of antelope (when we were on 90).

Haley was not a good traveler today. Yesterday she started her stressing - panting, not wanting to lay down. Today was worse, as she trembled most of the day. also. I hadn't tried Rescue Remedy because she had been so good so far - will get it out Tuesday for our trip to South Dakota! Good thing she has 2 days to relax in the camper :)

Abbie texted at 9:40 MT - they had landed early in Salt Lake City, but were waiting for another plane to leave. At 10:10 they were still sitting on the plane, so early became late. The next text was of Jeff eating - guess they hadn't had food for a while. I talked to her when they were about 3 hours away - she said they were both loving it, especially Jeff, who was seeing all this for the first time. He wondered where people from here go on vacation. Good question!!

We pulled into the campground about 2:00, and had just finished setting up when a thunderstorm hit. It was deja vu all over again. When we were in this same campground 16 years ago, we had just finished setting up when a storm hit. That one was more severe, as we watched awnings being torn apart in the wind.

We headed for the grocery store, I did laundry, and Rick started cooking for our travelers. Abbie and Jeff are due within the 1/2 hour (by 7:00 MT) - LET THE VACATION BEGIN!

Actually - they pulled up just as I wrote that - What timing!