West Yellowstone Rendezvous 2019

Friday March 1st, Road Day
After a day of transporting a pep band around Billings, I returned home around 4:30. After cleaning the truck, packing a few bags, and letting Sam run around, I headed out to pick up my uncle. Then we hit the road for West Yellowstone.

The drive started with a light snow fall as the sun receded. As we approached Joliet, the storm thickened. The falling snow became windblown, high beam lights became more of a hazard then a help, and the world narrowed to what was visible in the darkness. But, we pressed on. Soon we found ourselves on I-90 headed west.

The pavement of the interstate may have looked clean and bare, but just before Big Timber the nightmare of winter travel showed itself. The first indicator I got was a truck that had lots control and ended up in the deep snow of the median. Luckily the truck stayed up right, and no one looked hurt. But, it was one of those moments when you look at something and ponder how it happened. I did. And, the back end of my truck lost traction a moment later. I let off the gas as my knuckles turned white on the steering wheel. After a few moments, and a mouthful of curses, the truck straightened out. Once again under my control. But, the road was not done with me yet. With in fifteen minutes, my truck slide again. I some how managed to gain control yet again, but I dropped speed, and rolled in to Big Timber at a less stressful 45mph.

After a sit down dinner at the Iron Star, we were back on the road. Never passing 60mph, we passed Livingstone and entered Bozeman. My uncle guided us through Bozeman, and a bit later we were winding our way towards Big Sky and eventually West Yellowstone.

We arrived at the hotel around midnight. After letting Sam run around, I nearly fell face first in to bed.  My back hurt, my eyes hurt, my brain hurt. I had spent the majority on my waking hours this day behind the wheel of moving vehicles.

Saturday March 2nd, Race Day
I woke after a few hours of restful sleep. I was happy to see that Sam had not trashed our room on the first night. I sluggishly pulled my cloths on, and met up with the rest of the family. Sam was very excited to see everyone.

My mom, little sister (Toni), and my sister best friend (Cade) had driven over from Wyoming. They actually stayed in Red Lodge Thursday night. One of my cousins (Eric), and his girlfriend (Ginger), had driven over Thursday. And my aunt (Marci) with my other two cousins (Anna, and Noah), had left a few hours before my uncle (Mike) and I had.

Mom

Cade, Mom, Toni

(Left to Right) Cade, Toni, Mike, Noah, Ginger, Eric, Mom, Anna

Breakfast was bacon and a egg scramble of some sort. After which, we pulled on warm cloths. Even though the sun was out, the day's temperature was reported to stay close to the negatives. I felt sorry for Sam. Dogs were not allowed on the race track, so he had to stay in the truck. I did start the truck, which took a few tries, and moved it so that the sun was shining on to the cab. I left the truck running, until I left to trek to my cheering spot.

Anna Showing the Best Morning Expression

Start Canon (2018)

This year, like those before, I did my best to cheer on my family. And, take photos. I stayed at the start line as masses of skiers departed, in waves. When the racers in my family passed by,  I started the trek out to my favorite spot on the track. About a kilometer out, or so, was the biathlon shooting range. And in the same spot, a place where the race track completed a large horseshoe shape turn. This turn is a few kilometers, if you fallow the track, but there is a spot where the track passes within about thirty feet of itself. I like this spot, because I can see the racers passing on one side and then passing on the other. Here I can usually spot, and photograph, the racers I want. You know my family. I say usually, because with the influx of bright color clothing it is becoming harder to see those who I want to see. Of course they can see me just fine. My mom had to shout at me, thanks mom....

Mom

Ginger

Para Skier, They were Fast

I had to wait a while for everyone to pass by. The last ones were my little sister, skiing with her best friend, and my youngest cousin.

Cade and Toni

After everyone passed, I headed back to the start/finish area. By the time I arrived, my legs, back, and neck were soar. I know I didn't compete in the race, but my body still hurt. This may have been because of the pack and camera I carried, DSLR cameras feel heavy after a while. I had also used a set of snow trekkers (Check them out Here). Using the trekkers was a lot easier than trudging through the snow, ever if the snow was groomed. Everyone regrouped, and headed for lunch. I made the trip back to my truck to retrieve Sam. Lunch was served by the local scout troop, soup, cookies, beer, juice, and bread rolls.

Mom's Victory Pose, She Cut 50 Minutes off Her Time in 2018

I waited outside with Sam until someone else had finished their lunch. Sam was having a heyday. All sorts of new smells, new friends, and the general commotion that comes with a big race event, he could not get enough.  I was even told, after I finished lunch, that he had let a stranger pet him. I was rather proud to hear this. My little buddy had begun to trust people a bit more.

After lunch, the family and I headed back to the hotel. Where everyone stripped out of their cold weather gear, and found ways to relax. I pulled out my computer to browse the day's video and pictures. I had got a good amount, a far cry from the pervious year, but a good amount. I did what I could to color correct the videos, the settings on the camera I used left some of the raw footage over exposed. I tried my best, but my edits made the raw footage look better. Sigh. I have quickly come to dislike taking pictures or video in a snowy area. Guess I  just need more practice.

Around 4:30, or so, we left the hotel in search of dinner. Again, Sam had to stay in the truck. We left early, because the award ceremony was taking place at 6:30. And with the race in town, the pubs and restaurants would be packed. We ate at the Slippery Otter Pub. Odd name, but good food. Hand made fries, pizza, in house brew, burgers, and good laughter, what else was needed.

I left dinner with an almost bursting belly, and headed back to the hotel. I let Sam out, did a lap around the block, and headed to my room. Since I was staying at a hotel, and I don't have tv at my house, I turned on the tv and lay in the comfy bed. Later, after the ceremony, my mom stopped by. We discussed a few things, said our goodnights, and went to sleep.

Sunday March 3rd, Road Day
Sunday morning Sam and I meet everyone in the hotels lobby for breakfast, and some last minute chats about weather and road conditions. After breakfast, I pack my bags and started to head for the truck. I stalled outside the hotel's main doors to say goodbye to my mom, little sister, and my sister friend. Sam said goodbye too. He had taken a liking to everyone. It was almost overwhelming to see the speed of his tail as he got pets and love from everyone.

After a quick stop at Free Heel and Wheel for a warm drink, and to by my mom a t-shirt, Sam and I were on the road back home. My uncle rode home with my aunt.

The road home was nothing like the road to West. First, it was not dark. And second, there were clear skies all the way. I really was that more of the campgrounds, between West Yellowstone and Bozeman, had been open. I wound have loved to pull into one, let Sam have his fun, and get a few more pictures. But, I had to make quick shots out the windshield work. One day I'll return to that area, and take a few days to explore.

Outside West Yellowstone

Big Sky

The Crazy Mountains (I Think)

The trip home was simple enough. I fallowed my GPS on a back way around Bozeman, through Fort Ellis. Then passed Livingstone, stopped for lunch in Big Timber, got off I-90 in Columbus, passed over the hill to Joliet, drove through Roberts, and finally stopped at home in Red Lodge.

Road Tired Sam

It had been a fun, and needed, weekend vacation. And with warmer weather forecasted, I was in a good mood. Until Monday. Going to work in the dark, with negative temps, and driving kids that seem to bicker at everything, does that to me.

Talk to you later,
Yeti