Yellowstone National Park

The world’s first national park. Over 2.2 million acres.

I moved north from the Tetons through the middle and out the east side of Yellowstone to settle in for the night on a road pull-out near the entrance. Still, it would be a long drive the next day. The North and Northeast entrances were still under repair from the severe flooding damage earlier in the year.

Covid on the road

I was feeling a bit frayed from the heat, mileage and altitude from the previous weeks and was hoping to rest a bit with slower park road driving. Not sure what combination of symptoms were from pushing myself, or exposure to the virus, but I suspected the combination was covid and a self-test kit came up positive. A few days later a doctor visit also confirmed it. This would mean sitting it out for at least five days and try to monitor how I was feeling. It took the wind out of my sails and was disappointing since I was working hard and making progress taking on some more challenging adventures in the backcountry.

I’ve been on the road since December, making it a little over 7 months with one month off back in Texas visiting family and getting some vehicle work done. One thing I have tried to do (although at times debatable) is to pace myself so that I take the vehicle out of action (repairs now can be months out) and now realizing I have to include how I feel so that I have my health to match.

Now, feeling a bit more lucid thanks to family (Noel and Steve for a wonderful visit and rest-up on the road) and friends like Rob, who let me crash and sleep for 2 days, supplying a welcoming and restful spot before I felt up for getting in gear again. Also, it was nice to have some time away from considering grizzlies and food in the van and the summer relentless heat… last but not least I can’t say enough about my appreciation for my sister, Jill's support, before, during and during this trip! Those that follow this blog with comments, well wishes, etc. keep me energized to carry on. Vanlife has a ton of challenges that you can’t imagine. “Finding America” encompasses more that I could easily express, but the experience is amazingly rich.

Hopefully my images of Yellowstone and elsewhere will in a small way have you consider visiting the parks, etc. Yes, it’s crowded (not at all before sunrise), but no matter what you choose you won’t regret it as long as you pause long enough for it to speak to you.

NEXT STOP: Little Bighorn