ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST

On the way back on the South Rim trail…I was so tired I only took a few photos…I almost asked a ranger to drive me back to my car…couldn’t be a SISSY though. The elevation difference wreaked havoc. It was only about 7 miles!!

When I got back to my car I got half frozen water out of the cooler….the water I had been carrying was about 90 degrees by this time!…then I shoved some crackers…nuts…fruit in my mouth before making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (actually it was walnut butter..) Anyway I took off in my car and pulled over as soon as I saw this buffalo. I watched him while I ate my sandwich and drank lots of water. He was a little more nervous and gradually made his way to the forest. I was sitting in front of my car in case he decided he didn’t like me. Thought I could easily make it in before he could get to me. Yes I did use the zoom!

Dunraven Pass 8,875 feet…this is my worst fear in life…mountain roads with no guard rails….and worse these people all out…hands still sweating thinking about it. Managed to take a photo though! I was trying to look at it with a sense of humor. Those are just a few of the people that are alongside the road I had already passed quite a few before I decided to have a sense of humor about it! Yes I do know that my phobias are ridiculous!

After the Canyon I was so tired I almost went back to the campsite…but then thought about how often I get to Yellowstone….So I headed over Dunraven Pass to Tower Falls. On the way aside from all of the people standing in the road on a steep mountain!!…a womans car had overheated and was finally getting a tow…I thought to myself…God only knows how much a tow in Yellowstone is never mind the mechanic (they do have car repair places)! I only saw one Bighorn and it was long gone before I could have pulled over. Then I cam to these falls. I was exhausted by this time and knew I wasn’t going to hike to the bottom….and not to be a waterfall snob but Multnomah Falls are much better! I was just in a funk….

By this time I just wanted to get back to the campsite and vegetate…..and what happens going back over the dreaded mountain?? My engine light comes on….uphill with no place to pull over. But those things happen…the engine sounded fine…nothing seemed wrong. I finally get to a place where I can pull over and listen better….nothing. Now I would rather pay to have something looked at then pay a tow bill even with my free towing its going to be expensive because free means 75 dollars. But were talking about mechanics here…the most dishonest profession behind politicians,bankers and economists. But I feel fine driving back it may have just come on the way engine lights do….just a way to get you to pay money getting it turned off.

Driving back through the park was a bit of a head ache due to the fact that it was now Thursday afternoon and there were a lot more tourists AND there was lots of road construction….but I did get back to the campsite before dark!

Had a great night of sleep even had time to do a bit of drawing while I made my morning coffee. I decided that since it was Friday with even more tourists and not being sure about my car I declined another day in the park…I know I will be back so its no biggie! My check engine light was off which actually scared me more….but once I got back to civilization it came on again while going over Homestake Pass. I concluded that my car was not dealing with heat and high elevations. I started looking up stuff on the internet and was going to take my car in to make sure it was ok. When I read about a handy little gadget that can read the computer engine. If I wasn’t traveling I could have bought it for much cheaper than the 67 dollars I paid for it. But it did save me a ton of money in the long run…so I urge people to buy one of these BEFORE they have an emergency. Between this little device that can also turn off the engine light and further exploring on the internet about catalytic converter sensors…I determined that my car was just fine. The light hasn’t come on again but I’m sure it will if I am at that elevation on that hot of a day! Can you imagine taking a Toyota Echo to a mechanic in Montana?? The guy at the auto parts store just shook his head….Fords and Dode Ram trucks all the way!

Now an honest mechanic is hard to come by and I knew of one in Virginia. ALWAYS took my truck to him when it was ailing. A good mechanic is one less worry in life! I was talking to one of my friends in Virginia last week and she had just gotten her car back from him.

I may have found a good shop in Oregon or they may have just been good because they know my  brother. But I brought them all goodies so maybe they will remember me next time I go in….mechanics either think I’m the Second Coming because I show my appreciation by bringing them goodies or they think I’m the Anti-Christ…when I think they are giving me a load of bull-shit! Oil change places….forgetaboutit…stand over while I watch them actually put in a new filter….and JUST SAY NO to all of the nonsense they try to sell you. Ok I haven’t had a rant in awhile…back to vacation….

As you can see it was a great start to a day