I long ago had taken a reservation for a night in Canyon Campground, where I had camped before. My trip was arranged for this, so I had to schedule to do the trip to get here then. I was lucky to get the spot. Someone must have cancelled, and it was luck that it was then available as I checked on the Net. Run now by a private business, I hoped for better. When I was here in 2013, kids played in my spot and refused to move. No ranger on duty, so I had to honk and indicate my reservation. This took 10 minutes, as I was tired, then, and also trying to be polite. Now the campground has patrols, and people hired to help.
Up in the dark, I left the Cody KOA. Zooming up the highway towards Yellowstone, I took photos as it grew light. A scenic, majestic drive, I came to the park entrance. Flashing my Golden Age Passport, they let me in without much ado. Then to make stops, along the way, at the view at the Lake, then Steamboat Point. Nice to be back in the park, with scenic sights. Coming to the falls turnoff, I sought to revisit the viewpoints. First was Artist Point, then to other points. Parking was easy at this time of the day. Taking tons of photos with videos, I stopped everywhere.
Then to the Canyon Village, where I looked for the charging station. The one that I saw said, ”guests only.” Asking at the Village parking, they said that it was okay to “use it.” Going back to charge up, it said some 7+ hours to completion. I spoke with a lodge clerk, to make sure this was okay. Free! I went for a walk to the nearby village, and they had a ranger to explain things to visitors. Asking to speak with a backcountry ranger, she told me of peak bagging ops, but all with Griz hazard. I had been given a list of trails, good when I have company. Maybe four or five peaks to bag, all with trails. Doable by me, shorter and sweeter, this will have to be for another time.
Going to the shop, I took several items, like a T shirt, plush printed throw, and a map bandanna. I had them hold these, so I could go about without having to carry a shopping bag with the items. Lots of places were closed, but I got a reusable water bottle for cheap. Looking for dining, the cashier help allowed me to charge my laptop, which had been depleted as I watched my movie last night. I had to stand, although the friendly help asked me if I wanted a chair. Then I asked for something else, and the manager said that I couldn’t loiter. I had more charge by then, so I could use the laptop. No Wi-Fi, so I couldn’t even get my e-mail. Not even cellular for my phone.
Going back to my car, I had time to kill. Dining was now open, but take out only. They have a Wok, so I ordered garlic noodles with sautéed chicken, green onions, with Korean BBQ sauce. Good enough for some $14, in a carton, I ate it on a table outside. It was windy, so my chopsticks and receipt blew away, but they gave me another set of sticks.
Finally time to go to my campground site, and I had nice neighbors. I moved my stuff out of my trunk, and watched the rest of Wild on my phone. No mosquitoes of note, and beautiful camping. Some help had come by, looking for some person who had locked herself out of her car. I always have my phone, and extra key card in my wallet, so being locked out from the Tesla is near impossible. With my laptop, I could take notes.
Anxious to get to a signal, I spoke with a ranger. The President had just signed the Outdoors Act, but he knew nothing about it. He had proposed Wi-Fi and a signal for all campgrounds. I said that the Sierra Club would probably file a lawsuit to stop this, and previously back at the charger, some woman with an electric car claimed to be a member, and didn’t want such technology in the park, bad by me. With a signal, you can try to call for help, if lost or hurt. And also to get information, but this person aligned with hate. I spoke of the white-only origins of the Club, but she then said it’d be hard or impossible back in the 1890's to find anybody then who favored open membership. I thought then of Teddy Roosevelt, who allowed for Nisei children to attend San Francisco public schools. Not wanting an argument, she then left right away.
Going to bed, this was a happy time for me. In a National Park, peaceful and seeing the sights.
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