Category: Excursions (Page 2 of 2)

RV Tales: Embracing Nature’s Symphony in Yellowstone

As an avid nature enthusiast and a firm believer in the therapeutic power of the open road, embarking on an RV adventure through Yellowstone National Park has been a dream come true. The journey began with the selection of two remarkable campgrounds, Bridge Bay and Madison, both promising a perfect blend of tranquility and accessibility to the wonders of America’s first national park.

Stan, Rowdy, and Mike – 2021 Trip to Yellowstone National Park

Bridge Bay Campground: Lakeside Bliss

Our RV found its temporary home at Bridge Bay Campground, perched along the serene shores of Yellowstone Lake. The view from our campsite was nothing short of mesmerizing, with the sparkling waters of the lake stretching out before us along with the elk that routinely traverse the campground. The RV, with all its amenities, became our comfortable oasis amidst the wilderness.

Old Faithful – Yellowstone National Park

Guided by the call of exploration, we hopped into my trusty Chevrolet Equinox, ready to unravel the mysteries of Yellowstone. The first stop on our adventure was the legendary Old Faithful. The Equinox effortlessly navigated the winding roads, delivering us to the iconic geyser just in time for its majestic eruption. Watching Old Faithful shoot a column of steam and water into the sky was a humbling reminder of the untamed forces at play beneath the Earth’s surface.

Madison Campground: Forest Retreat

2021 with Bertha in the Madison Campground

Transitioning to Madison Campground felt like entering a secluded forest retreat. Our RV nestled amidst towering lodgepole pines, creating an intimate connection with nature. After a day filled with exploration, the RV became a haven of comfort, providing a perfect setting for sharing stories and savoring the moments.

Driving my Equinox from Madison, Mike, Rowdy, and I set our sights on the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The car allowed us to effortlessly traverse the park, reaching the canyon’s edge to witness the majestic Yellowstone River carving its way through the rugged landscape. The Equinox became the ticket to the diverse landscapes and wildlife that make Yellowstone an ever-unfolding masterpiece.

Paint Pots and Beyond: RV Adventures Unveiled

The Paint Pots and Grand Prismatic Springs of Yellowstone National Park

Returning to the RV, we eagerly set out for the Paint Pots, a geothermal wonderland that painted the ground with vibrant hues. The RV served as our command center, allowing us to plan our exploration and immerse ourselves in the surreal landscapes that surrounded us.

To cap off our Yellowstone odyssey, we booked a guided fishing trip for cutthroats and lake trout in the pristine waters of Lake Yellowstone. Loading up the Equinox with fishing gear, we set out for a day of angling against the backdrop of the lake’s tranquil beauty—a perfect finale to our RV adventure.

In the end, camping in an RV at Bridge Bay and Madison Campgrounds was not just a vacation; it was a personal journey of discovery and connection with the wild. Yellowstone, with its geysers, canyons, paint pots, and serene lakes, became a canvas where memories were painted with each mile traveled and every site explored. As the RV rolled out of the park, the echoes of nature’s symphony lingered, leaving us with a profound appreciation for the beauty that our great outdoors hold.

An Unforgettable Day on the North Platte with Rowdy and Brian

In the heart of Wyoming, where the North Platte River weaves its serpentine path through the rugged landscape, adventure called to us like a siren’s song. With my good friend Rowdy and our seasoned guide Brian, we embarked on a fly fishing expedition down the Grey Reef section of the North Platte River. Little did we know that this journey would be etched into our memories, not just for the pristine rainbow trout we would catch, but for the unforgettable mishap that would unfold in true Hemingway fashion.

The Promise of the River

Brian and his drift boat

Our journey began at dawn as the sun cast its golden hues across the vast expanse of the Wyoming wilderness. The North Platte River, shrouded in mist, was a picture of serenity. Rowdy and I eagerly listened to Brian’s instructions, the river’s soft whispers guiding us into its secrets. The promise of a day filled with rainbow trout and tales spun from the river’s depths hung heavy in the air.

The Tumultuous Pursuit

The Grey Reef section of the North Platte was known for its feisty rainbow trout, and our pursuit of these elusive fish was an adventure in itself. As we floated downstream in our trusty drift boat, Brian’s eyes never left the water. Rowdy and I cast our lines with precision, letting the flies dance beneath the surface. The river became a silent observer of our dance, where man and fish engaged in a timeless battle.

In the true spirit of Hemingway, our pursuit was intense and unyielding. We felt the tug on our lines and the thrill of the fight as the rainbows tested our mettle. The river’s currents were our battleground, and every catch was a triumph over nature’s forces.

Release of another North Platte Rainbow by Brian

The Tangle of Fate

But in the midst of this epic struggle, fate had its own plans. As I cast my line with a fervor only rivaled by Ahab pursuing Moby Dick, disaster struck. The trolling motor, a vital instrument in our quest, caught the line, and the propeller was ensnared in a web of my own making. Brian, the stoic guide, tried to assist, but his efforts only led to further entanglement.

We found ourselves in a comical tableau, three men grappling with a trolling motor, a propeller, and a mess of tippet and flies wrapped unmercifully. In true Hemingway fashion, this mishap became a metaphor for the chaos of life and the unpredictability of the wilderness.

Laughter Amidst the Chaos

Instead of frustration, we found ourselves overcome with laughter. Our guide, Brian, a man of few words, couldn’t help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation. Rowdy, with his trademark irreverence, made light of my predicament. In the midst of our tangled mess, we discovered the camaraderie that comes from shared misadventures.

At that moment, the North Platte River, the fish, and the tangled mess of equipment faded into the background. We were three friends, bound by the chaos of the moment and the shared laughter that echoed through the canyon walls. It was a reminder that the best stories are often born from the most unexpected circumstances.

The Redemption of the River

After what felt like an eternity, we finally freed the trolling motor, disentangled ourselves, and got back to the business of fishing. The river, seemingly amused by our antics, rewarded our persistence with a flurry of rainbow trout. Each catch or miss was a testament to our tenacity and the resilience of the human spirit.

As the sun began its descent over the Wyoming landscape, we returned to the landing, tired but triumphant. The North Platte River had tested us, tangled us both literally and figuratively in its mysteries, and ultimately rewarded us with its treasures.

Painting by Julie Thurston from one of the beautiful rainbows of the North Platte River in Wyoming

Conclusion

In the spirit of Ernest Hemingway, our day on the North Platte River was a reminder that true adventure lies not just in the pursuit of fish but in the unpredictable twists of fate that shape our journey. It was a day of laughter, camaraderie, and, yes, several epic tangles that tested our mettle.

As we drove away from the Grey Reef section of the North Platte River, the sun setting behind us, I couldn’t help but smile. Our adventure had all the elements of a Hemingway story – the pursuit, the mishap, and the enduring friendship forged on the water. It was a day that would be etched in our memories, a tale to be told any time we gathered for years to come.

The Call of the Road

The Beauty of the Road

The road and I have been like brothers
From all the miles and time we’ve spent together
Yeah, we’ve seen it all
We both seen changes in our time
Busted dreams and detour signs
We keep rolling on

“Brother Highway” by Ned Ledoux

Since the day I was born, I have been traveling the highways and backroads of the United States with my parents or as a solo traveler. I don’t know why the road has such a hold on me, but I know that it’s my happy place.

The roads that appeal the most to me are the long, straight two-lane roads that have hills or mountains in the distance, or roads that end in Small Town America where neighbors still help neighbors. My travels take me to small towns and big cities which have broadened my horizons to see the differences in the American experience which include food offerings, mores, and the cultural differences.

Enjoy these images from the 2022 RV Adventure:

I know that I have been blessed to be able to see the many facets of the United States of America during my RV road trip of the past almost two years. The views are breathtaking and the people I’ve met give me confidence that, as a nation, we are not as divided as the media might lead you to believe.

Pre-Christmas Fishing Trip

Cherokee/Great Smoky Mountains KOA Holiday Campground

I had been trying to plan a fly fishing trip with Capt. Kevin Merritt since we’d reconnected back in the early summer of 2021 while recuperating from my fall in Fredericksburg, TX. This pre-Christmas trip was the perfect chance to do just that.

It had been twenty years since I’d been fishing with Capt. Kevin Merritt, but we picked up right where we left off back in 1998 when he guided me fishing in the Florida Keys for tarpon, snook, and other saltwater species. On this trip, we were after trout and it was also an opportunity to test all of the recent upgrades to Bertha before I embark on the Winter 2022 RV Tour on December 30.

We left Barker’s Boat and RV Storage at 7:00 AM on Thursday, December 23 for the four hour drive to Cherokee. The drive would give me the opportunity to test the new Kenwood Dash Cam and the RVI Command Center which provide tire pressures for Bertha and Rosie. I had also installed a towed battery charger on Rosie to keep her battery charged. During the 2021 Summer RV Adventure, Rosie’s battery would die after four hours of towing and would need to be jump started. This new addition would prevent the discharge and allow me to use Rosie immediately without the need to worry if the jumpstart battery could get her started. The RVI Command Center also provided charge information during the drive. The upgrade to the RVI Command Center keeps all my RV drive time information in one place.

We arrived about two hours early at the Cherokee/Great Smoky Mountains KOA and weren’t allowed to check-in early. But, they accommodated us by parking us in their check-in line and allowing us to leave Bertha there while we went fishing. The first stop was River’s Edge Outfitters to get the lay of the land and purchase our tribal waters trophy and regular fishing licenses. With fishing licenses in hand, we headed back up Big Cove Road towards the KOA and found some likely waters about a mile up the road. Kevin rigged us with an indicator ahead of a weighted nymph and a midge dropper. The length of the entire tippet was almost twelve feet which made for interesting casting with a seven and a half foot four-weight fly rod. I looked like I was doing hand-to-hand combat; whereas, Kevin being the professional he is, made it look like poetry in motion. It only took me three hours to get the hang of it.

Rainbow Trout from the Raven’s Fork – Cherokee, North Carolina

At two o’clock, we checked back in at the KOA and were able to move to our site and set up. Once set up, we walked across the campground road to the Raven’s Fork Creek and set up for some more fishing. We were now fishing in keeper waters. About ten to fifteen casts into our fishing, I hooked a nice rainbow and brought it to hand. A couple more hours of fishing netted a few more fish, but we didn’t keep any of them.

My wading stability is not what I need it to be, and twice I went to my knees in the very cold stream. I’m thinking I need a wading staff to help with walking on the uneven and slick river bottoms because the fly-fishing bug has definitely bitten me.

As the sun started going, thoughts turned to supper, and we decided to head into town and pick up a couple steaks and potatoes for dinner. With dinner cooked, we sat down to enjoy a couple jiggers of High West’s Rendezvous Rye with the meal. All in all, a perfect day fishing in the mountains.

Overnight the temperatures plunged to 24 degrees and the city water hose and filter froze and left us without water for a period of time. I was washing my hands when the water went from good pressure to nothing; so, I went outside and noticed that everything was frozen. I turned off the city water, and made sure once back inside the motorhome that we could use the fresh water from the water tank. All was perfect when I turned on the water pump. We had running water again. I’d missed the weather report where it said it was going to be that cold. The last one I looked at had shown 34 degrees for the low. In the future, the only question left in my mind is whether I need to purchase a heated hose or just fill the water tank until temperatures rise.

Once the sun came up and it warmed up a little, we went back to fishing before the 11 AM checkout time. We missed a couple of really nice fish, but all too soon, we had to check out and head back to Belmont for Christmas Eve festivities.

There are already plans in the works to do this again in the spring after I return from my Winter 2022 RV Adventure. I can’t wait to do more fly-fishing in the North Carolina mountains or wherever the opportunity presents itself to wet a line.

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