wyoming gathering august 17-19 WALK THE WINDS 2012

[Mukilteo]

I really would like to go, but I don't have the gas money.
It's been slow at work, but at least I'm working and the bills are paid off.
Not to mention there is no way I would drive that far alone.
I keep watching the posts and living vicariously thru you guys.

[Woodbutcher]

UPDATE NOTICE...............

I was just sitting at the table with a calender marking my trip out west down. The gathering is posted for the 17th -the 19th. But it should be the 16th, Thursday , leaving on Sunday the 19th. I have PM'ed Mike and asked him to edit the date. I believe most of those that reserved early know this but late comers may not. We have paid for 3 nights. To those that did not know this and can only arrive on Friday, do not worry. That is fine. We will still have space. The next 4 months will go fast, I can't wait.

To those that have not reserved yet, don't wait!!! You can still be part of Teardrop history. I call it a 2fer. Attend Wyoming's first Teardrop Gathering and meet Slowcowboy. It just doesn't get better then that!

[sagebrush]

It be worth the trip just to meet Mike (Slowcowboy)!

Y'all come now! Less'n 4 months. ( Some of us are counting)

Will

[parnold]

Y'all come now! Less'n 4 months. ( Some of us are counting)
Will

I'm counting!

[MargaretK]

OK, it's official: Please move me from the maybes to the attendings!
If I remember correctly you guys are reserving & paying for the site and we are to pay you when we arrive, so getting on your list is all the "registering" I need to do, right?
I do have a question, though - and am just being kinda lazy because I think I tried figuring this out once before and have forgotten what I found. Is there a very nearby campsite that has water and power in case I would like to be a wimp and plug in at night? I was thinking maybe there is a more developed campground adjacent to this one. If not I will tough it out but I do really love my electric mattress pad heater.

Also, is anyone interested in:
visiting SD (Badlands area) prior to the gathering
going up to Yellowstone/ Grand Tetons after the gathering?

[Woodbutcher]

Hi Margaret, Glad you can make it. I will move you to the "big table". But I must tell you there are 2 things that are hard to find in Wyoming, an electric drop and a shower. This CG has neither. So bring an extra blanket for insurance. As we get closer we will make some announcements about the gathering so keep an eye on this thread.

I just made reservations at Bay Bridge CG in Yellowstone today, for the 20-23rd. Still looking for a 1 night stay in the Tetons for the Sunday the gathering ends. The CG's in Yellowstone that take reservations are filling up fast. Still openings in August but don't wait to long. There seems to be some nicer CG in the park that do not take reservations. But with only 3 days I did not want to be hunting for a site.


Steve

[MargaretK]

Wow, thanks for the quick reply! I am going to pack several extra blankies and my alpaca cap with the ear flaps. And maybe some red wine which can do wonders for making me feel warmer. Yes, I know it is not what you need to really warm up but with 6 blankets and an alpaca cap I don't think I will be in any danger of hypothermia

I spent many hours looking for a campsite in Grand Tetons and finally decided I will just day trip to there from Yellowstone. There is what appears to be a very nice campground at Flagg Ranch that wants $64 /nite & even I am not willing to pay that much for hook-ups. Their tent sites are $35 but they won't allow a tear on a tent site, even if you are willing to go w/o hookups (I called to check). For primative camping in Grand Tetons he suggested Lizard Creek but it is first come, first get, and can fill up quickly. I settled on Grant Village campground in Yellowstone because it will be reasonably close for daytripping to the Tetons if I prefer that area to Yellowstone, and there are showers there (I believe there are none at Bridge Bay). If you are familiar w/ Yellowstone and think Bridge Bay is much nicer than Grant Village let me know and I can change campgrounds w/ no penalty.... just would have to figure out the shower situation. I figured after 3 days at Wind River w/ no shower that would be a priority. Also the reservation lady told me that although bears are an issue throughout Yellowstone, Grant has fewer bears and more moose. I love seeing black bears but am not quite so hoping to see grizzlies. Would be thrilled at seeing moose.

[corncountry]

Margaret
I like Grant Village campground better than Bridge Bay. Grant is mostly in the trees and Bridge Bay is more open. There is also a nice campground, in the Tetons, at Colter Bay. It also has lots of trees and showers near by. I never make reservations so I don't know where we will be staying. I have never had any trouble finding a camp site if I get to a campground early. This may not be good for everyone but it has worked for me.
We will be going to the Black Hills first then to Yellowstone. Will then drop down to the gathering.

Jim

[MargaretK]

Jim-
Thanks for the input. I had actually left Sunday night open and was thinking I would need to add that to the Yellowstone reservation so I just called Colter Bay and reserved there for one night. $57 for one night, a little steep imo but when I think of all I will spend in gas to get to the Grand Tetons it is crazy to not be willing to stay there for at least one night. I asked the reservation guy if Grand Tetons was really so much more beautiful than Yellowstone that I should be willing to pay for more nights there and he just said there was a lot more to do at Yellowstone. My reservation at Yellowstone is for 5 nights, but if you give them 2 days' notice there is no cancellation fee so if I am really homesick by then I could always cut out early.

I am designing this as a long trip to be sure I am really cut out for that (and for no hookups). If so, I will make my dream trip to alaska next summer. If not, I can always fly up or take a cruise! So far, here is the plan:

Leave VA and spend 3 nights visiting friends en route to Michigan.

10 day "crawl" across the Michigan Upper Peninsula with a group of teardrop campers. So far there are about 10 campers in the group.

4 days to see Badlands, etc in SD before "Walk in the Winds". Probably will try to stay in Badlands NP to see how I do w/o hookups before getting to our weekend.

Our weekend, followed by Grand Tetons & Yellowstone. At that point I will have been "on the road" for a month. I may head straight home from there. However, if I am loving camping that long at once and am not too homesick, will drop south (not sure of route) to Route 66 somewhere in AZ and head east, then to El Paso for the Oklahoma/UTEP game on Sept 1, then continue east to be in Norman for a game on Sept 8. Gathering in GA one week later and home on Sept 17 or 18, total trip length 7 weeks.

If anyone has suggestions for what is not to be missed along the way, I would love to hear them. I've been to the Grand Canyon a couple of times so probably will opt for a route that doesn't include that. Also have been to Zion and Bryce Canyons, but didn't stay long so am considering that area. Thanks for all the help!

Margaret

[MargaretK]

Ha - you are right that is a WHOLE LOT of gas!

I keep running the numbers through my head and trying to figure out how crazy I am.

But for 35 years my dream has been to do long camping road trips after I retire. Who could have known that gas would go to today's prices?

Anyway, I've taken lots of 1-2 week vacations to places I wanted to see, while I was still working. The only big trips left on my "bucket list" are the long camping/driving ones, because I never had time for them while I was still working. The ultimate trip in my imagination is to take the Alaskan highway north and the ferry back south, see the pacific northwest and maybe the west coast on my way home. I don't want to strike off on that trip without doing a really long trip first because if it stops being fun in the middle of Canada, I am still way far from home. If this trip stops being fun in Michigan I can always check into a hotel somewhere for a day or two and then high tail it home on the interstate. I don't expect that, but we'll see. (I promise to pay up for my site if that does happen. In fact, I could pay for EVERYONE's site with the gas I'd be saving! )

So.... a dream trip or a nightmare? only time will tell......

[Mukilteo]

Web cameras in Pinedale.
http://www.pinedalewyoming.com/webcam/pinedalewebcam.htm
http://wyvisnet.com/site.aspx?site=wypd1

[JaneV]

Hey Margaret from the great State of Virginia! I sent you a PM. Yes, yes I am ready to hit the road for my late summer/autumn adventure. Would love to caravan with you. Jane from Wyoming

[Woodbutcher]

Hey Mike, Good info. I can tell you are itching to get going on this years camping season. It will be a big help when you can get up to New Forks CG and check it out. I figure we will get several more campers that want to join us closer to the gathering. It will be good to know how much space we have.
I really don't think we will have any trouble with alcohol and loud music. Most of us seem to be on the other side of that way of life now.

[Mukilteo]

Boy, ain't that the truth.

[parnold]

My rule, if I play a radio at all, it is so quiet that you can't hear it at the next site.