Photo Log - July 28 and 29: WY, MT, ID, and BC

Here is a photo of the crew's camp in Yellowstone National Park on the morning they departed on Travel Day 3. That day they made it to Idaho.

In Idaho, the crew met up with several other AC'12 participants and created the Rocky Mountain collection convoy. On Travel Day 4, the mini-convoy crossed the border into British Columbia. Here they are getting ready to leave the Border Crossing station.

- Ellen

Photo Log - July 27: Yellowstone National Park, WY

Way back on Travel Day 2, the crew spent the day in Yellowstone National Park. Mike sent me a couple of pictures back on July 30. Here are a few more now that I have his camera download!

- Ellen

Return Day 3 - Sept 2: Home, Sweet, Home

Return Day 3 travel route

Today's travel was from Sheridan, Wyoming, back to the Thirsty Dirt Ranch here in the Colorado Rockies. The crew sure didn't cross the Continental Divide much on the way home.

It was kinda cool, the guys kept the SPOT on while they returned, and I could see just where they were. Even with that, they were able to sneak home because of the 10-minute interval. I was watching but I thought they were out on the highway still!

I can't wait to see all of Mike and Owen's pictures!

- Ellen

Return Day 2 - Sept 1: Back in the Lower 48

Return Day 2 travel route

The day began early in High River, Alberta. Mike and crew traveled back into the US into Montana. The day wound up at Sheridan, Wyoming.

Travel was pretty fast, as much was Interstate Highway.

- Ellen

Travel Day 3 - July 28

The E-W crew left Yellowstone National Park and Wyoming behind, and traveled north into Montana to I-90. Once they hit I-90, they traveled west to Butte. At Butte they made a lunch stop, then it was on to Missoula. After a break at Missoula, it was on to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

Round Lake SP

Mike gave me a call as they waited for our daughter Jen to arrive from Spokane. Jen loves Red Lobster, so the headed across the street to eat.

After dinner, the group travelled north to Round Lake State Park, which is just south of Sandpoint.  The photo at right is a snip from Mike's mySPOT, using the satellite image background.  I can even tell which site they are spending the night at.  Kinda creepy--big brotherish.

- Ellen

Travel Day 2 - July 27

About 0800, the Rocky Mountain collection convoy (still just numbering 1) left the Jackson Hole area and headed through the Tetons to Yellowstone National Park.  They spent the day in Yellowstone, making their way counter-clockwise around the Grand Loop.

They hit the best places, like Mammoth Hot Springs and Old Faithful.  At the end of the day, they headed back to Mammoth Hot Springs.

I had hoped for some pictures.  When I get some from the crew, I will surely post them.  I did not hear from them today, so I hope all went well, and that they had a blast in Yellowstone.

- Ellen

Travel Day 1 - Jul 26

The first component of the Rocky Mountain collection convoy left Thirsty Dirt Ranch on July 26. They traveled north through the Colorado Rockies to Leadville. From there they went over the pass where Climax Mine is and onto the Dillon area. From Dillon they went north over Rabbit Ears Pass to Steamboat Springs and Craig.

After lunch in Craig, they headed north through Baggs, Wyoming to I-80. West on I-80 brought them to Rock Springs, where the headed north again towards Jackson Hole. They camped the night just north west of Jackson Hole.

Day 01
(route estimated by me from SPOT data)

At lunch time, I had a chance to talk to Mike. He said they must have crossed the Continental Divide at least 5 times that morning.

- Ellen

Time to hit the Road

Rainbow over the Valley

Bright and early this morning was First Gear from the Thirsty Dirt Ranch. I was a afraid they would be still packing at midnight last night, but the crew was all tucked into bed by 10:00pm.

They had a fine evening for packing. It was a very hot day, but just about the time they were ready to start loading, we had a brief rain shower. It cooled things off nicely, and gave us a partial rainbow and a colorful sunset.

Nate tying things down

After hooking up The Cave to Greg's F350, they got Electro-Willys and the Juice Box loaded into The Cave. Then the fun began loading up all of the rest of the gear. When you're going to be on the road for over a month, how do you decide what you really need, and what can stay behind? Seems like the guys have thought of just about everything.

All loaded up!

A big thanks to Jack and Steve for assisting in the loading. Neighbor Tom stopped by, and come to find out, he and Owen grew up about 10 miles apart in Minnesota! Another neighbor, Debbie, had stopped by earlier in the day with a copy of her just published book about one of her great adventures.

Owen, Mike, Greg, Nate

After a good night's sleep, the crew was up by 6:00am. A few last minute things were packed into The Cave, and a few last minute photos were taken of the crew with the travelling rig and The Cave.

I will miss the adventure. A tight hug and good-bye kiss with Mike, and they all climbed into the rig and headed down the driveway. I watched til they got to the paved county road, and then I couldn't see them anymore. They are heading north through the Colorado Rockies and into Wyoming today.

Heading out

After lunch, I checked Mike's SPOT page to see their progress. It looks like they had lunch in Craig, CO, and 30 minutes later crossed into Wyoming.

- Ellen