August 3

I packed up and began to drive down the rest of Yellowstone.  What a strange place.  Geysers and smells of sulphur and crowded roads and families everywhere and Old Faithful and I’m glad I did it.  It’s a sight to see, but I was good to move on.

The strangest part is that the separation between Yellowstone from Grand Teton National Park is subtle as a state line.  These parks are completely different.  Yellowstone seems other-worldly and Grand Teton is picturesque mountains and lakes. I drove toward Lake Jenny and the crowds were apparent, and it was very clear that I had missed any opportunity to find a campsite in this park.  I drove through, walked around Lake Jenny for a bit, stopped for a pizza and ice cream at the suggestion of a good friend who lived in Jackson, Wyoming, and decided today I would continue to drive as far as I could. 

I passed through Wyoming in the light hours and saw the real Wild West.  This land has wild horses and ranches and land for days and days.

Once I made it to Utah, it was dark.  This was the first time on this trip that I drove at night.  It’s a surprising idea to me, that I have been able to avoid nighttime driving.  

I made it to Cedar City to a Wal-Mart parking lot, plotted out my plans for the next 4 days, and had a great nights sleep there.  It was clear that tent camping and car camping take some getting used to, but once I got past the noises and fear, it’s actually really cozy spot to be.  Just like Matt Foley, in a van down by the river.