August 2

 I left Bozeman at 6am and headed down to Yellowstone National Park.  These summer months, it can be tough to secure a campsite within the park unless you are there first thing in the mornings, but I was determined. 

My campsite was set-up at Indian Creek campground in Yellowstone by 9am, and then I took a nap.  When I woke up, I saw that a guy about my age had set up his site across the way, and he was camping alone, too.  I’m curious about people that are alone amongst these places were family camping abound, but I’m the same looking freakshow.

I headed to Boiling River Hot Springs.  A small hike to the point where the Gardner River and Boiling River meet, the ice cold water meets boiling hot water and creates a strong current hot springs along the river.  I soaked for a long while.

In the afternoon I hiked up Mount Washburn, a steady climb with a great views, but this is major bear area.  Hiking alone with a dull pocket knife and pepper spray feels inadaquet, but I’m glad I went because it was big horn goats I came across, no bears.

This evening I had my first campfire and a good night’s sleep.