Author Topic: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020  (Read 26052 times)

Offline shmelive

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #60 on: August 31, 2020, 12:42:09 AM »
TR Day 6 and 7 - Friday and Shabbos

In Gillette, Wyoming, I woke up early and saw a bunch of clients over Zoom. And then I promptly went back to sleep. I am slowly discovering that I’m a human being. This traveling is exhilarating - and exhausting. I took my sweet time and got on the road in the early afternoon.

I was planning on staying in Billings, Montana for shabbos (I ditched Bozeman because it was too far and I wanted to use the Beartooth approach to Yellowstone). My dad suggested that I stay in Red Lodge for shabbos, which was an hour closer to Yellowstone. I found a bunch of dumpy places, and then had a conversation with @JuryDuty. He has a real knack for finding the needle in the haystack. A few minutes later, I had a couple of good suggestions, and off I went.

It was a pretty uneventful trip, taking about 4.5 hours for the 300 miles. I made all my shabbos calls, which was nice.

Anyone know this person?


I missed the Welcome to Montana sign. Siri let me know that I had entered Big Sky Country.


I had some trouble finding the hotel, the Rock Creek Resort in Red Lodge, Montana. For some reason Waze sent me down a dirt road a few hundred feet away from the turnoff. It’s on the 212 itself, no need to turn off.

I say this because I really hope that some of you take my suggestion and stay here. It was a really great place to hunker down for shabbos. It’s quiet, very peaceful, clean. And I could not believe my eyes and ears when I saw the patio of my room:



What a gorgeous, peaceful view. And the roaring of the river was a beautiful soundtrack for relaxing and falling asleep - I kept the door open all night for mountain air and river sounds. There was a screen door to keep the bugs out.

Where I spent most of shabbos afternoon:



Views of the lobby saturday night, and from the main lodge before shabbos:











Other things to consider: they have manual (actual) keys, so that helps for shabbos as well. Continental breakfast included hechshered oatmeal with hot water. Ask for a room with a river view!

Once again, thank you @JuryDuty for finding this place!

Ok, I’m only one day behind on my TR. Not bad.

Offline EliJelly

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #61 on: August 31, 2020, 01:06:08 AM »
Thanks! I'm getting thrilled every time I see there's a new segment.
(Just as a btw, I know it's too late for this advise, but I do have sympathy for your continuous tiredness, I believe that renting a suitable luxury car would be a great solution. I've seen it myself that when driving for an extended period of time, the type of vehicle is what makes it or breaks it, and for tall people particularly. Hopefully your Shabbos rest gave you the perfect revival!)

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #62 on: August 31, 2020, 01:07:31 AM »
Nice place! It's always nice to find those cool, nice places. Was it expensive?
« Last Edit: August 31, 2020, 04:18:26 AM by Something Fishy »

Offline jose34

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #63 on: August 31, 2020, 09:44:44 AM »
TR Day 6 and 7 - Friday and Shabbos

In Gillette, Wyoming, I woke up early and saw a bunch of clients over Zoom. And then I promptly went back to sleep. I am slowly discovering that I’m a human being. This traveling is exhilarating - and exhausting. I took my sweet time and got on the road in the early afternoon.

I was planning on staying in Billings, Montana for shabbos (I ditched Bozeman because it was too far and I wanted to use the Beartooth approach to Yellowstone). My dad suggested that I stay in Red Lodge for shabbos, which was an hour closer to Yellowstone. I found a bunch of dumpy places, and then had a conversation with @JuryDuty. He has a real knack for finding the needle in the haystack. A few minutes later, I had a couple of good suggestions, and off I went.

It was a pretty uneventful trip, taking about 4.5 hours for the 300 miles. I made all my shabbos calls, which was nice.

Anyone know this person?



Ok, I’m only one day behind on my TR. Not bad.
Especially driving the whole way and doing all the planning yourself!
We on the DDF are glad to be part of your fan club ;D.

Offline JuryDuty

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #64 on: August 31, 2020, 10:16:38 AM »
Nice place! It's always nice to find those cool, nice places. Was it expensive?

I don't recall exactly but I think it was under 150 when I searched for it. @shmelive can probably give you a better answer tho
Jury Duty: Nothing to do there but chill and write a TR. Kinda like the beach but missing the view and ocean breeze.

Offline SSLPhD

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #65 on: August 31, 2020, 04:54:37 PM »
I’m having trouble finding info about Sequoia. Rumor is it’s closed because of fires. Nothing about Yosemite.
https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
44/50, 46/63

Offline shmelive

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #66 on: August 31, 2020, 09:58:58 PM »
Was it expensive?

I believe it was ~$330 for two nights.

Offline shmelive

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #67 on: August 31, 2020, 10:02:29 PM »
Especially driving the whole way and doing all the planning yourself!
We on the DDF are glad to be part of your fan club ;D.
Thank you sir!

I believe that renting a suitable luxury car would be a great solution. I've seen it myself that when driving for an extended period of time, the type of vehicle is what makes it or breaks it, and for tall people particularly. Hopefully your Shabbos rest gave you the perfect revival!
I do have a comfortable car - it's a Camry. Not luxury, but roomy and comfortable. I wanted to drive my own and not rent. Truth is, I believe that I'd be tired no matter what. Travel takes a lot out of me. Never traveled far in a luxury car, though (or first class, for that matter), so I could be wrong!

https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
+1 Exactly what I needed, thank you!

I wonder - if the air quality is as bad as they say, if it's not a good idea to go...

Offline Kobe Bryant

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #68 on: August 31, 2020, 11:41:31 PM »

I wonder - if the air quality is as bad as they say, if it's not a good idea to go...
I've been to Yosemite during a wildfire (2017 IIRC) Was still very enjoyable,  although some roads were closed and some vistas were blanketed in smoke.

Offline yitzgar

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #69 on: September 01, 2020, 12:08:44 AM »
I've been to Yosemite during a wildfire (2017 IIRC) Was still very enjoyable,  although some roads were closed and some vistas were blanketed in smoke.
Not all wildfires are in the exact same geographic location...

Offline Kobe Bryant

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #70 on: September 01, 2020, 01:32:09 AM »
Not all wildfires are in the exact same geographic location...
YMMV

Offline jose34

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #71 on: September 03, 2020, 06:57:26 AM »
Can we have an update?

Offline shmelive

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #72 on: September 03, 2020, 02:00:43 PM »
Can we have an update?
All in good time, sir! Weekends are easier. I'll see how much energy I have today.

Teaser: I'm currently in Yosemite. Wow.

Offline JuryDuty

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #73 on: September 03, 2020, 02:01:52 PM »


Teaser: the sun is on fire

Photo credit: @shmelive
« Last Edit: September 03, 2020, 02:07:16 PM by JuryDuty »
Jury Duty: Nothing to do there but chill and write a TR. Kinda like the beach but missing the view and ocean breeze.

Offline HappyJulie

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #74 on: September 05, 2020, 12:09:11 PM »
Wow the picture is fantastic! I love to photograph the sun!

Offline jose34

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #75 on: September 06, 2020, 05:55:49 PM »
Know its crazy exhausting to go across country by yourself and write but anxiously awaiting next segment.... I guess good things you wait for.  :)
Hoping all the comments would keep you going more than Milts BBQ sauce   ;)

Offline shmelive

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #76 on: September 10, 2020, 01:20:30 AM »
Know its crazy exhausting to go across country by yourself and write but anxiously awaiting next segment.... I guess good things you wait for.  :)
Hoping all the comments would keep you going more than Milts BBQ sauce   ;)

Thanks for your patience!! Stand by for next post...

Offline shmelive

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #77 on: September 10, 2020, 01:47:23 AM »
TR Week 2, Day 1 - Sunday

It’s Beartooth time! At the suggestion of @Something Fishy and @BCL I set myself up for the most scenic way to get to Yellowstone: The Beartooth Scenic Byway. I left my weekend resort early in the morning, after a last goodbye to the river and views…



And then was off. It was a long, winding way through the mountains…



And I had to stop many, many times to take pictures.









You are beautiful...

...no matter what they say.


Is that the Beartooth?

Truly worth it to take this windy road to Yellowstone.

At Silver Gate, I stopped to fuel up..


And then on to Yellowstone!



I used my Annual Pass to get it. Ka-Ching! If you’re going to any large National Park, I strongly recommend downloading the NPS app, and downloading the maps before you go (while you still have service). I used the maps function extensively - it was very helpful to know where I was on the map at any given point on the long, windy roads.

I did a great deal of planning to make sure to get as much in as I could in one day. This site was most helpful:
https://www.earthtrekkers.com/one-day-in-yellowstone-itinerary/

I entered through the Northeast entrance, and traveled through Lamar Valley - one of Yellowstone’s best places to see wildlife. I was NOT prepared for what happened.



I stopped and took a picture or two and kept driving. Suddenly, the car in front of me stopped, and then began just inching forward. I did the same, and soon came across something huge flailing around on the side of the road. Eventually I realized that it was a bison, scratching itself on the dirt hill on the side of the road. I had no idea how large and powerful bison are! I caught myself with my mouth open as I inched past and tried to take some pics. Wow.





There were a fair amount of bison herds along the road, though none quite as close. At one point, two elk raced along the plains, parallel with my car. It was surreal.

Lamar Valley continued to amaze.






Some bison in the distance there.

I continued along to Mammoth Springs (out of my way, but there was a road closure) and headed toward the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Again, surreal views. The pictures just don’t do it justice, but that didn’t stop me from trying. I focused on the South Rim here, I didn’t make it to the North Rim.









I drove and walked around with my mouth open, like a fool. Like a glorious, happy fool.

Next, it was time for the Midway Geyser Basin. The entire Yellowstone is on top of an active volcano. At some point it will erupt again and we’ll all be toast. Until then, we get to enjoy the volcanic activity bubbling to the surface in the form of geysers and springs.









There’s a boardwalk past a bunch of the springs. Naturally-occurring colors that you’ve never seen before. Don’t step in - you won’t make it out alive.











Luckily I knew when Old Faithful was going to erupt next, thanks to the NPS app and their predicted eruption times! It amazes me that we have this ability and technology.



I got to Old Faithful early and got a good seat. A middle-aged Mormon couple sat down next to me (a few feet away, COVID style) and we caught a good shmuz while we waited.



Soon enough….



I stopped at the gift shop. Had to get some goodies. They sure do like their huckleberry here...



By then, I was tired. I nixed West Thumb, and continued south to where I was staying in Grand Teton National Park. More on that next post!

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #78 on: September 10, 2020, 08:56:41 AM »
Nice! Yellowstone is really pretty. I'm glad it didn't disappoint.

Offline CRACKERJACK

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Re: NYC - CA - NYC Solo National Parks Road Trip Summer 2020
« Reply #79 on: September 10, 2020, 09:00:07 AM »

I entered through the Northeast entrance, and traveled through Lamar Valley - one of Yellowstone’s best places to see wildlife. I was NOT prepared for what happened.

I stopped and took a picture or two and kept driving. Suddenly, the car in front of me stopped, and 
You had me there! i was sure you saw a grizzly!

great tr! love the style of writing!