Alaska Day 13-14

Sunday May 28, 2006 Rawlins to Thermopolis Wy
Our friends Sam and Inez Thormton of Fayetteville AR caught up with us and we left Rawlins (about 7,000 ft el), heading for Thermopolis, and crossing the Continental Divide at 7,174 feet. More snow fences, two trees, big sky......Fierce winds on Hwy 287 would catch the left side awning and make a tremendous noise. We stopped at a pullout and Sam assisted Herb in securing it with a bunjie. We took tons of pictures in the Wind River Canyon and Wind River Indian Reservation. Big Horn River ran along side the highway, with a quaint railroad on the side of the mountains entering a small tunnel which was shored up with wooden beams.

We checked in at Eagle RV Park in Thermopolis, which had become a Passport member a week ago. However, we paid the full $24 with Good Sam discount, since it was a holiday. The park is mature with gorgeous tall trees, and affords nice place to sit in late afternoon watching weekend Memorial Day vacationers have their family cookouts. Winds have calmed, and temp is 53 low overnight. We got a good medicinal soak at the hot mineral springs (free) at the Hot Springs State Park. If you are Rving, you can go in the RV entrance and park next to the bath house, change into your suit and walk across the street to the baths. After your soak, come back to your RV, change clothes and be on your way, no charge. We found a small full hookup RV park next to the river behind the Holiday Inn, within walking distance of the baths for only $12.50. No phones, check it out if your are in the neighborhood.

Monday May 29, 2006 Thermopolis to Cody Wy
Partly sunny with 20% rain forecast, it was a short drive to Cody, and more awesome scenery of hills. We could see the snowcaps of Yellowstone in the distance, probably enhanced by the predicted snowfall of last night. As we came into Cody, we saw a light dusting of snow on the ground along the highway. We are at the Parkway RV Park about one mile past the Buffalo Bill Museum. Best price we could find in town and a nice place. Room for Jake to run a bit and convenient to the museum and Wal-mart. We will try to get our mail delivered tomorrow or maybe send it to Great Falls MT. The three day weekend has thrown us a curve on our schedule. After much discussion, we are going to leave Cody and head Northwest and go over Beartooth Pass on the WY-MT border. Wilma and I traversed this pass several years ago on the our BMW motorcyle during our trip to the BMW National rally in Missoula MT. Wilma's eyes really lit up when she heard the news.

See our pictures of these two days here.


Walldog, Willie and Jake