WalkingCarrot

We were late in leaving Old Faithful, trying to send pocketmail but with some real challenges. Finally I found a house phone with outside access to an 800 number.

We had clear skies, and finally a bit warmer but still cool enough to make for some nice walking.

Three miles away from the nearest road, Lone Star guyser was active and still drew a small crowd for it’s dependable, every 3 hour, eruption. We had lunch nearby for the “2pm show.”

Continuing on we passed a number of backpackers at the several designated sites between Old Faithful and Shoshone lake.

The Shoshone lake geyser basin was eerie – full of steam and bubbling water, but devoid of people. The backcountry was generally devoid of animals. Odd we thought, especially because by all appearances it looked like perfect moose and bear habitat. But there were no such obvious inhabitants. Maybe too many people, or too much hot water (with minerals?) Or, just bad timing? Only the moose knows.

Lake Shoshone, in the park second in size only to Yellowstone lake, was big, calm and beautiful – an inviting place to spend some time. But maybe another day, we had to push on.

Crossing Moose Creek just before dark we arrived at our designated camp site with wet feet, but enjoyed the solitude after the throngs of people at Old Faithful.

During dinner, and through the night we could hear bugling Elk, both far and near. Actually lots of noise, not unlike fingernails on a chalk board with some coughing as a finish. The elk calls bring out the wild, just as coyotes do, but not nearly as melodious. Maybe it’s the lonely, plaintive “looking for love” quality in the bugle….sad, in a way. But still it was comforting in it’s own way, to know we are not alone in life’s basic quests.

Miles 17.3