Thursday, July 31
After two overcast, drizzly days, the crew and I awake to a cloudless sky over our camp along Boulder Lake, Wyoming.
The lake is brilliant blue again.
“What a beautiful morning! Let’s go for a ride.” Spike, Bridget and I board the Perfect Tow Vehicle. Carefully I maneuver the PTV around the big rocks in the spur road.
We have to find drinking water today. The one-gallon jugs are empty.
“Oh, look! The cows are on the beach!” I stop the PTV and get out to take this picture.
Bovine Beach Bums
Not far from our camp is the turn to the boat ramp.
We have all day to find drinking water. No need to hurry . . .
I make the turn and follow the winding dirt road through mounds of boulders. Two pronghorns sprint up a hill and disappear over to the other side.
Boat ramp area, Boulder Lake
I cruise the parking area and head out.
Only one boater this morning . . .
“Sage grouse! I wonder if it’s the same flock.”
Six hens scurry across the road in front of us. The PTV creeps forward. One grouse, bigger than the rest, is separated from the group and clack-clacks on the slope to our right. Hmm . . . Did your harem run off on you, buddy?
Boulder Lake Road traverses the dry landscape of sage and boulders until it enters the green fields of ranches in New Fork Valley.
Boulder Lake Road east of Boulder, Wyoming
Over the bridge and through the fields to Boulder town we go.
I enjoy seeing how people live in different areas of the West.
Those hay bales will help livestock make it through another long and cold winter. The average low temperature around here in the dead of winter is around -7 degrees. The lowest recorded temperature is -52 degrees.
Oh, so this is where rodeo bulls come from . . .
Bridget is a fellow tourist.
She sits in the passenger seat and takes in the sights along with me. Spike isn’t interested. The movement of the PTV has lulled him into a nap on the bench seat.
It’s about eight miles to Boulder from our camp.
I stop frequently to take photos.
Well, if there isn’t a water dispenser in Boulder, we’ll go twelve miles further to Pinedale. Surely we’ll find some water there.
We pull into the Boulder Store.
Inside I ask the woman behind the counter, “Where can I find drinking water around here? I’m camped at the lake and I’ve run out of water. Is there a dispenser anywhere?”
“You mean you have containers to fill?”
“Yes, one-gallon jugs.”
“There’s a sink over in the corner by the coffee machines. You can get water there.” She assures me it’s good for drinking.
Happily I bring in eight containers and fill them.
The water jugs tucked into the PTV, I go back inside, pour myself a cup of coffee and thank the woman again while I pay.
“You made my day! I was thinking I might have to drive all the way to Pinedale for water.”
The Boulder Store has an adjacent restaurant/bar with gleaming, polished wood everywhere. Next door is a rustic inn.
I drive a short distance further north on Highway 191, cross Boulder Creek, and make a left turn.
The sign says “New Fork River Float Access.”
The meandering river goes through private land but there are access points provided by the Fish and Game Department.
Here’s a photo I took from the Pinedale website. I put it in this post to tantalize any fisher-people who may be reading.
New Fork River
This does look like a good section of river for floating, canoeing or kayaking . . . .
Further north on Highway 191 is the Wind River View Campground, a convenient alternative to boondocking in the Bridger National Forest where we are.
The Wind River Mountains are Boulder’s backdrop. Houses perch on the foothills.
We won’t go up to Pinedale today. I don’t need anything there. We’ll save it for a day when there’s shopping to do.
I treasure days like this.
The national parks and scenic wonders are part of the vagabond experience. To me, moseying around small towns and across the countryside is just as much fun, especially on a fresh and sunny morning!
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