Sunday, September 7
A wall of Sinks Canyon, Lander, Wyoming
(Most of today’s photos were taken on walks around Popo Agie Campground and don’t match the text, so don’t get confused, okay?)
I pop Bridget into the Perfect Tow Vehicle.
We motor less than a mile up Sinks Canyon Road to the Shoshone National Forest campground, which is also named after the canyon. We’re here to cross the bridge in order to explore the other side of the river.
As we approach the bridge, I pick up Bridget before she loses her nerve.
“Okay, hold on tight, little girl, and don’t look down.”
On the other side two trails begin, both less than 3 miles in length. We go to the left. Of course, I want to stop at every break in the trees to see the river from another viewpoint. I sit down on a boulder and attempt to take a photo for this blog . . .
“Darn! I forgot to put in the memory card!”
Not wanting to fool around transferring photos from the camera’s memory, I forget about taking photos and enjoy the walk with Bridget. We barely walk a mile total. That’s enough. Bridget and I are on a Butt Challenge. I think she’s winning. Already I can tell the increased walking is shrinking her rear end!
A camper leaves plastic on a smoldering log to burn and stink. Tsk-tsk!
Later, back at camp, we meet Augie, the camp host.
Augie’s a friendly Native American guy, age 65, who has created a comfortable home and RV out of a bus. “I even put a woodstove in it,” he proudly tells me.
Augie’s home at Popo Agie Campground
I like Augie.
He’s carved out a lifestyle that keeps him active and makes him happy. Six months of the year he lives at Popo Agie Campground. He’s been the camp host for seven years. “I provide a night-time presence, make sure everyone’s okay, sell some firewood . . . . “
Augie is old enough to retire, but he works full-time by choice.
“I like working with rocks,” he explains. “And I like to work. I make patios and walkways and put rocks in landscaping. I’m booked the whole six months I’m here.”
“What do you the other six months of the year?” I ask.
“I like Denver,” he replies with a smile. “After six months here, I’m ready for Denver. I like to go to restaurants and I ski. I ski back country.”
Interesting guy!
Fall color in the campground
Monday, September 8
I don’t know why, but I get it in my head to drive up Fossil Mountain (9,089 feet) today. It’s a very steep climb.
You can get an idea how steep by clicking the “Where We Are Now” widget in the sidebar (satellite view) and dragging the map to an area to the north. That white line that looks like the zig-zag stitch on a sewing machine is Louis Lake Road’s switchbacks.
Hmm . . . It’d be nice to see some aspens in their full autumn glory.
Almost to the top of the mountain I pull into a parking area and let Bridget out to run around. In no time at all I’m engaged in a conversation with Judy and Steve from the Seattle area.
They’re traveling with this little teardrop trailer.
2003 Hunter-Shadow HU-1 teardrop trailer
“You have the Casita, right?” Steve asks. “With the thing sticking up? We saw you in the campground.”
“Yeah, that’s me. That’s a Wilson antenna on the pole.”
Sometime in the future Steve and Judy plan to spend a large part of the year traveling.
They have a lot of questions about Casitas and internet service on the road and tow vehicles and vans versus pick-ups and so forth. Of course, I’m happy to blab about my set-up.
They’re on their way to Flaming Gorge, before returning to their home in Washington. I tell them about boondocking on a beach at Anvil Draw. I also tell them about this blog and invite them to drop in.
Nice people!
Okay, back to the photos taken around the campground . . . .
I didn’t continue any further up the mountain because my feet were starting to tingle. You know, the altitude . . . .
Tuesday, September 9
It’s fun walking the paths that lead to camp sites along the river. Bridget loves it, and I do, too!
Hardly anyone is here, it being a weekday in September.
As you can see from the next photo, one can sit at a picnic table in a campsite and watch the river.
Or a short path takes you to the river’s edge where you can fish or simply sit on a boulder and enjoy watching and listening to the water rush by.
“Oh, Bridgie baby! Are you stuck?”
When we first arrived at this campground, I thought we’d only stay three days, maybe four.
Last night was our fifth night here and I’m planning to stay at least until Friday morning which will add another three nights to our stay. It’s peaceful and so beautiful here, I don’t want to hurry down the road to another camp.
Plus it’s great having a town the size of Lander only minutes away.
This morning I run out of propane and with a full freezer. (I guess with Spike’s passing, I lost track of the propane supply.) The Bridge and I jump into the PTV, zip into town, make a quick stop at Ace Hardware, and we’re back at camp in a flash.
This is a T@B trailer, similar in profile to a teardrop, but larger
Another reason to stay longer is the dadgum vehicle registrations!
Upon arriving here I had Americas Mailbox forward my mail to the Lander P.O., but the license tags weren’t in that mailing. I’m expecting another shipment of mail by Friday which should contain the renewals. I need to get my life in order, dontcha’ think?
There is even a further reason to stay here.
Bad weather on the way!
The temperatures across Wyoming are going to drop, probably by tomorrow. I checked the forecast for temperatures in places a day’s drive from here (RVSue mileage), and it’s expected to be even colder south of here.
Not to mention storms with rain.
The private drive to our campsite
If you’ve followed the boondocking adventures of RVSue and her canine crew for long, you’re probably shocked that I would spend $88.00 in campground fees for eight nights.
It is quite a splurge for this frugal camper!
I’m thinking of our stay at this beautiful camp as a gift from RVSue shoppers. This camp makes me feel like I’m on a vacation in a life that already is a vacation. Thank you!
rvsue
