Safe and sound

(Upper Terrace, Mammoth Hot Springs)

Hey there everyone! First of all, thanks much for all the calls, texts and emails over the last few days wishing me luck on my summer adventure and warning me of all the dangers that can befall a woman traveling alone. Some of the comments/warnings that stick in my mind..."The mom in me is saying NO hitchhikers" (I'm resisting the urge just for you, Mama Susan), "Remember the Golden Rule - don't talk to strangers", "Just because you're camping all summer doesn't mean you shouldn't floss every night", "It's the charming men that are really dangerous", etc. Will keep all this in mind over the next 5 weeks.

I arrived in Yellowstone on Tuesday afternoon and was immediately greeted by a bison on the side of the road and about a mile later, a whole herd of 'em. I've often heard that Yellowstone's 'megafauna' is everywhere, but really was surprised to find out how true it is. I assumed that you had to do some backcountry hikes in order to see anything, but not the case. I feel almost guilty in a way - feel as though I should have earned the right to see these amazing animals by having at least hiked a few miles and formed a few blisters. Won't complain though. Since then, I've seen bison at just about every turn in the road, a gray fox (playing in the meadow next to my campsite while I was eating breakfast this morning), a herd of elk (walking across the crest of a hill a little after midnight, backlit by lightening), moose and a black bear.

Spent much of the first day hopping from one campsite to another, arriving just as the last few spots were taken. Finally had to settle for an RV spot at Mammoth (site is too large, has too many RVs, and is right off a busy road) and therefore wasn't able to stake down my tent. Sure enough, that night the wind started up and it rained for nearly two hours and all the while, I was spread-eagled across my tent, trying to stake it down with my body so it wouldn't topple over on me. A little stressful, but I think I had a big grin on my face the whole time. :) Am now at the Norris campsite (and will be for 6 more days) and my tent is pitched right along the Gibbon River, which slithers its way across a grassy, semi-swampy meadow frequented by grazing bison and elk. As Ramin says, it's prime waterfront real estate.

Second to all the amazing animals, are all the super-friendly tourists. Have already met and had a meal or drink with most of the campers near my site. Some of the more interesting folks...three bikers who rode in yesterday afternoon, decked out in leather and tats. Turns out two of them (married for 30 years) grew up not too far from Davis. Last night, I hung out with a group of spelunkers from Alabama and let me tell you, them Alabama boys sure can tell a good story. Had an instant friend connection with a guy that helps run the Burning Man Festival (some of the stories he told about this event are soo far fetched that they can't possibly be true) and may meet him there at the end of my trip if I'm not too road weary. Though some of you were worried I'd get lonely on my own, it's been pretty easy meeting people so far. Was actually hoping for a bit more alone time than I'm getting.

Tomorrow I'll watch the sunrise at Mammoth Hot Springs, soak in the Boiling River, hike and wolf-watch in the Lamar Valley, and fish any stream I can between all those spots. Hope to write again in a couple of days.