WyomingMontanaIdahoWashington

It's 430 am pacific standard time, and I'm wide awake. After sleeping for hours in the car today, it would appear Bagheera is trying to punish me for his entrapment today. Or so it would seem, as he thunders through my hotel room, running around and jumping off of high shelves.  At first these sounds disturbed my sleep, and I would jump out of bed to identify the crash. Once I clarified that it was not an intruder, but merely a small cat whom I've previously said I loved, knocking things on to the floor, I was able to fall back to sleep. As the night and mischievous behavior continued, I began to identify the sounds, my eyes still closed, and wouldn't stir, but remained engulfed in this giant cozy pillow bed.

Fraulein Maria should have mentioned "king sized cozy warm down comforter bed with tons of pillows" in her song, "Favorite Things" when she soothed The Von Trapp children with her lyrics. I've decided I don't want to drive my final five hours tomorrow. I want to live here. In this bed, wrapped in a soft hug of sheets and pillows. 

Today hasn't only been about the comforts of a nice warm bed. It also contained wildly beautiful views.

The Grand Tetons




At the park entrance I rolled down the window, and had a short conversation with the park ranger checking my park pass and ID.  It was cut short because early into our chat about the weather, Bagheera, the black panther cat, emerged from behind my head rest and began meowing, no more like yelling, at the ranger. The expression in the ranger's eyes wasn't shock, it was fear. He was probably concerned the cat would leap out of the car and go for his jugular. He just started motioning me on, waving his hand forward, never breaking his gaze from the screaming cat. Even as I put the window back up, Bagheera continued his screeching.

believe it or not, I could still see out of the back..

This morning it was a mere 18 degrees in Yellowstone.

Most people were wearing winter coats, boots, and substantial pants. As previously stated, I had to scrounge from what I could easily access from the top of my tightly packed car, in order to dress a little warmer. The resulting effect made me look somewhat like a bird, as I wore ballet flats, leggings, and several long sleeve shirts and sweaters, topped off with a scarf wrapped around my neck several times. At least this disproportionate bundling of clothing kept me nice and warm today!

Near West Thumb basin, the bison and hot spring geysers are so close, it's uncomfortable. But beautifully hypnotizing.

Old Faithful goes off every 90 minutes, give or take a couple. When I arrived, it was to a flood of people walking away. It would appear I had just missed it. 

Luckily there's a lot to do and see in this area, so I wandered around, got some coffee, checked on the cat, then watched the famous eruption.

The first video I took is too long to put on here, so here's a shorter clip of the end.

It's not as dramatic as I always imagined it to be. Instead, it's peacefully climactic. There's no thunderous explosion, but more of a gentle rush, like when you turn on a faucet. 

The water that rushes by afterwards is warm like bath water. I wonder if it cools off significantly because of  the frigid air. Would I be able to touch it in the Summer, when it's hotter?

This area is almost unreal. It looks like science fiction, with the steaming geysers everywhere.

While still a few miles in the park, I entered Montana. 

This part of the drive was difficult because it was long and I had minimal cell phone service. For the most part I was the only vehicle on the road for miles in this expanse of plains surrounded by massive mountains.  One of my favorite parts though, was passing the scattered and isolated old western towns. 

I stopped for an unhealthy lunch in quaint, Ennis, MT. 

Interestingly the most of the police cars I saw in Wyoming and Montana were giant Ford trucks, jacked up with giant tires and emergency equipment in the back. 

Another favorite thing - pumpkin spice latte :)

Driving through Idaho was the beginning and the end of a lot of things.  90 West winds through the forests there, much like PA routes do. As the road twisted and turned, it was evident it also descended.  My things and I ventured away from the high country, and those Rockies I've loved living next for three months. The sun was setting as I drove through this state for the first time, both the end to the day, and the end of another assignment. 

I arrived at Hotel Ruby, in Spokane, WA around 830 pst. Which means I was on the road for about 12 hrs today, because I gained an hour in Idaho. After checking in, I dragged my haggard self up the stairs toward my room. As I walked by other peoples rooms, most were occupied, but with window blinds and doors left open. The majority of the hotel guests are men, and when I walked by I could see them getting ready to go out tonight, as it is (or was) a Friday night. Most of them were putting on makeup or laying out outfits  This must be the hot spot for drag queens and gay guys. As I walked by, some would say "hi!" or smile at me. I felt like saying, "you boys have fun tonight! I'm going to bed." Totally exhausted, I snuggled in to bed around 9:something. I don't know when I dozed off, but I do remember the distinct change in the bar's music from acoustic jams to raucous discotheque.  No matter, I re-situated myself  and sunk right back into the cloud-like bed and slumber, until I was awoken and propped myself up to write this post. 

Today will be a short drive in comparison, about 5 hours to Puyallup, and my new home.