2 weeks, 3 Provinces, 6 States, One Mega,3 oldest caches..Part 7 - Yellowstone or bust!

We broke down the campsite and had a great breakfast buffet before heading out for Cody, WY the home of Buffalo Bill.  Here we discovered The Buffalo Bill Center of the West,  a large and modern facility located near the center of the city. It contains five museums in one, including the Draper Natural History Museum, the Plains Indian Museum, the Cody Firearms Museum, the Whitney Western Art Museum and the Buffalo Bill Museum.  Wow, there is no way we have time for all that...but we did have a look around.

Although we were extremely tempted we knew we had to get going .  We stopped to do a cache right before the  East Gate and then we were there. 
Our first cache after entering was up a winding road to an overlook of Yellowstone Lake .  Can you see the Grand Tetons in the distance? 

GCGFRQ A Butte-iful Lake View

We followed this up with amazing thermal vents and craters, before heading off to the highlight.

GC15A0V West Thumb Geyser Basin and Crater

    GC10HZW Old Faithful Geyser at Yellowstone National Park

We talked about staying in the park but soon discovered that most sites were booked up to a year in advance.  With no hope of a site we headed out through the West Gate into Montana before turning north. Doing Yellowstone in approx six hours was impossible.  There is no possible way to explore or experience everything about this amazing spot.  

We crossed I-90 again just after dark and settled in for the night at another KOA.  

2 weeks, 3 Provinces, 6 States, One Mega,3 oldest caches..Part 6 - Natural wonders

We bought a National Park Pass last October when we were in Vegas. For $80 you get unlimited access to US National Parks, etc.   If you plan on doing a lot of driving and sightseeing in the US then it is well worth it. It pays for itself really quick when the entry fee per car is $25.

This year's trip had a few bucket list items that we were aiming for.  Today was the day to strike one off the list.  We arose early, packed up, and headed north.  Stopped for a couple of caches and soon had our target location in sight.

Devils Tower

National Monument Wyoming 

"Devils Tower rises above the surrounding grassland and Ponderosa pine forests like a rocky sentinel. Northern Plains tribes have worshipped near this remarkable geologic formation for thousands of years. Fur trappers, explorers, and settlers alike were awed by the tower's majesty."

I just cannot say it any better.  If you are old enough to have watched Close Encounters of the Third Kind in the 1970's then you will remember this monument made with mashed potatoes by Richard Dreyfuss.

We were definitely in awe.  The approach as this huge geological formation rose out of the prairie in front of us was  just short of amazing.  We arrived shortly after the gates opened, parked, checked inside the visitor centre and then headed out for the walk around. 

 

GC22DD ▼

Devils Tower National Monument II

 

Devils Tower was and still is a sacred area for several Plains Tribes. As you walk around the base you will notice prayer offerings in the trees.

By the time we had had returned to the parking lot it was full and the visitor centre was packed.  Glad we managed to see this before the crowds but time to go. 

We rejoined I90 and continued on our way with more stops at interesting places, one of which was a fish hatchery and another relating to the Indian Wars of the late 1800's.  Getting off the beaten path and checking out the side trips and you discover some interesting sites.

GCJ5JH ▼

The Wagon Box Fight

Now a couple of the visitor centers we went to said we should take Hwy 16 at Buffalo but we continued with the original plan and headed north to Sheridan WY and took Hwy 14 west. We will never regret that.  The drive through the Bighorn National Forest is a must do.. Eye popping views, switchbacks, and geological wonders make it a great trip.  Really, really wished for the motorbike for this section.

 

GC17N99 ▼

Dizzying Drops In Granite: Shell Falls

GC1WHHJ ▼

Madison

As we approached the end of the day we headed to Greybull where we set up in the KOA early, had dinner, relaxed, and refueled for the next day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 weeks, 3 Provinces, 6 States, One Mega,3 oldest caches..Part 5 - Cowboy History

When traveling and tenting I tend to wake early in the morning and eager to hit the road.  So after rousting my partner out of his toasty sleeping bag we packed up and headed for breakie where we planned our day.  Plans BTW never turn out quite the way you think they will.  Even after breakie we were still to early to take a side trip to Theodore Roosevelt National Park so we took the turn south again and headed for South Dakota...
The landscape was typically grasslands that provided few caches along the route although we did manage some along the highway.   We stopped in Belle Fourche SD for visit to the visitors info.  Grabbed a couple of caches and got directions to a great  coffee/eatery that also had wifi so we could readjust our route and queries.  A stop for gas and food in Spearfish and we were off to Deadwood, SD which was on the bucket list.
A beautiful drive through the canyon and hills into Deadwood.

A very popular and quaint little town that has sadly become very touristy and commercial.  But historically wise it intrigued us so we managed some interesting geocaches. 

GC2CWEY ▼

Homestake Mine-Open Cut

Mount Moriah Cemetery

 Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane rest here.

GC8DF2 ▼

Right, Centaur, and Rear

There was a lot of traffic, including motorbikes gearing up for the upcoming Sturgis week.  It was hard to juggle a parking spot so we didn't stay long.  We had been told by countless people that Mount Rushmore was a must but we made an executive decision and headed back towards Spearfish.  The clouds were already darkening and rain was starting as we headed out and we did want to get west before the next big onslaught of this weather front that we seemed to be in.
We turned west at Spearfish onto I90 and Whoa!! speed limit 80?  Can make pretty good time doing that.. The goal for the night was the Sundance WY area but first we had to outrun the storm.  Heavy rain all the way so we only managed an earthcache

GC2MPGY ▼The Vore Buffalo Jump: Chemistry at Work and a nearby traditional before stepping inside and chatting with the volunteers while trying to outlast the downpour. 

We arrived in Sundance as the sun was popping out of the clouds.  

Sundance after the storm and yes that is hail

Not sure if we should risk a night in the tent with the inclement weather we started looking for a place to stay.  One place actually told us that their basement was flooded and the wifi was down.. Oh No!   that won't work...We had to work fast as everyone had the same idea so we grabbed the last room at a major chain and settled in for the night.  Thinking we probably didn't need the room it was nice to spend some time in the pool and about 11 that night the storm picked back up so it was a lucky escape..

 

2 weeks, 3 Provinces, 6 States, One Mega,3 oldest caches..Part 4 - Heading South

Where did the weekend go?  Got up early this morning and broke camp, loaded the truck, and helped the family pack their stuff up. We decided that we were not going to stay for the pancake breakfast as we had a full day ahead of us.  Grabbed ice and gas and where on our way.  Was great sharing this experience with my daughter and her family.
Today's goal is to get the oldest cache in Saskatchewan....We plotted our route and set forth.  along the way we found some nice caches as well as meeting a couple from Quebec who were also at the Mega.  Awesome opportunity to trade pathtags...!!

Yes it was a Bison on a Bison...lol

We took the detour off of the highway and drove through traditional Saskatchewan.  Due to the previous rainfall and flooding there was lots of water in some places.

Finding the cache access was easy.  We chose to park in the shade at the road access and walk in.  Not to sure of the protocol for driving on private property and with the wet we didn't really know what to expect.  As it was the walk in was hot and dry and punctuated by lots and lot of grasshoppers..
A quick little bushwack and GC14F Sask-cache-one was in hand ...literally... We were the first of many finding this cache today.

GC14F ▼

Sask-cache-one

 We continued on our way south.  I wanted to get the "cache" at Dog River but they were filming there so only managed a couple of caches before moving on.  We spent the night in Estevan and planned for an early start.  The following day one of our goals was a mystery that The Pollywog had solved when he was working in the area last year.   Found the access and the cache with no problem although the hawks were not impressed. There was a nest close by so we didn't stick around too long.

We continued on our way and made the crossing into North Dakota at North Portal.  As soon as we were across we took a side road and some more caches off the beaten path.

The hardest part about traveling and caching is you have to make choices.  Do I cache like crazy and not get anywhere?  or do I drive like crazy and not cache?  Hard decision so we really tried to make it something in between.  Selective about the caches we would stop for.  Old, larger, and earthcache or virtuals were the priority.  Not to say we didn't get any roadside micros but they were more of an opportunity find. Driving in North Dakota was pretty much like driving in Saskatchewan.  Undulating grasslands and long corners.  We stopped in Minot for lunch with the goal of Bismark for the day.
Shortly out of Minot I notice some fork lightning and dark clouds to the west of us.  Didn't think much of it until it got a little closer.  And by close I mean real close.  Soon we were driving real slow, no shelter, wind driving the rain sideways and lightning all around us.  A white knuckle drive for sure.

We learned over the next couple of days that it was quite common for thunderstorms to build in the afternoon and create these nice little supercells that freak out the non residents.  We drove through the worst of it as the storm moved east and arrived in Bismark.    We plotted our course on the GPS and managed the oldest cache in ND

GC551 The Buck Stops Here! in the midst of rain and wind.  Someone commented we were nuts but we don't drive that far out of the way without finding the cache!!

GC551 ▼

The Buck Stops Here!

We quickly vacated Bismark and headed west were we could see the skies clearing. We managed a campsite in Dickinson ND after several stops along the way.

2 weeks, 3 Provinces, 6 States, One Mega,3 oldest caches..Part 3 - Mega Weekend

We set off for Rosthorn Sask from Lloydminster Friday morning.  We took our time selecting larger caches from the myriad  of caches that have been published for the Living Skies Mega.  Lots of power trails dominated by micros.  We knew the kids would get bored with them pretty quite so we scouted ahead on our route and managed to find a few large hides in some interesting spots.  Apparently we had a lucky escape at one of the hides as people were reporting that they picked up lots of ticks at the site.  Whew...no ticks at all for us this weekend. 

We thought this one was prophetic

 We made the Mega site by early afternoon and decided that we would settle in and take it easy for the day.  We had seen pictures of flooded tent sites so chose our spot with care on slightly higher ground.  We were not the only ones as several set up around us shortly after. 

As it was the weather for the weekend was awesome....
Everyone else was checking out the facilities at the junior college including the WIFI so I took a walk and chatted with a few people and then decided to see if there were any caches  near by I could find. 
I checked my phone and wow, it seems that there was several nearby that were just published.  I figured the race would be on, asked if anyone wanted to come with me and got no response.  I set out for a great walk around the grounds and the nearby street and manged 4 FTF's and a DNF  before running into a group at one on the grounds.  The cache in question was particularly tough and there were about 30 of us that had no luck.  The cache was eventually found by others and myself and it turns out the creator was nearby to show us this creative hide.

It wasn't hidden the way he designed it but it was by the time the mega was over...Another of his caches that I got a FTF on was a clever puzzle that had to be opened before finding the logbook.  The puzzle was in several layers and was great fun. 
We all gathered for the Registration event and picked up our packages and then mingled, chatted, found friends, made some knew ones. 
Off we went to find some of the lab caches and other nearby traditionals.
The next morning we took our time and headed off to the Mega event ourselves.  The kids immediately got involved in the booths available to them while we wandered around, entered draws, and bought stuff, (of course). They don't call it a Mega Mall for nothing.
Then back to finishing off the local caches before returning to the event for the closing ceremonies.  At this time we had all heard were the next Westcan was going to be..

A very successful Mega, the facilities were great, the organizers helpful, and the town forgiving....

2 weeks, 3 Provinces, 6 States, One Mega,3 oldest caches..Part 2 - Alberta & the oldest

I spent two nights in the Drayton Valley area with my GF.  While she was at work I did some caching in Drayton Valley itself as well as finding a couple of caches on the nearby back 40 (or more) owned by her geocaching neighbors.  Felt weird on private property but as long as you respected the fences and cows you were good to go...
I tried to take pictures of the array of little brown butterflies on her lawn but they were very quick..The spider however wasn't...

 As I was leaving on the Tuesday  I stopped to take pictures of this guy sitting on the fence post.  He had no problem with me getting within 15 - 20 feet of him or even stopping to change lenses...

Today's goal was to grab a few roadside caches on the way to Leduc to pick up The Pollywog and then head out to Strathcona Wilderness for the oldest cache in Alberta.  I have wanted to do this cache every time I drive past it but I have always had my dog(s) with me.  Not this time...
We arrived at the parking area to some pretty hot temperatures, outdoor kid programs, and mossies...I really really got bitten but the walk in the area and all the great quantity caches was well worth it...

GCA6 ▼

Strathcona Wilderness 1

Including Strathcona Wilderness 1 we found a total of 5 caches along the trail.   A little bushwacking finding the right way in.

We headed back up to Hwy 16 and east with a few more stops before getting into LLoydminster where we would stay with my daughter and her family for a few days..

2 weeks, 3 Provinces, 6 States, One Mega,3 oldest caches..Part 1 - the journey begins

July 12, 2014...I got off work at 11 pm the night before and finished loading the truck when I got home.. I think I managed to fall asleep sometime around midnight but was wide awake at 3 am.  Knowing I would either not sleep til my alarm went off at 5 or sleep right through it I just got up and hit the road.  Managed the first ferry out of Duke Point and managed a snooze before the sun came up over the coast mountains. 

I was supposed to meet a couple of cache hiders in the Hope area so I skedaddled there first.  After that I managed my first cache of the day and the trip with "Welcome to Hope"  Quite fitting I thought.  I headed up the Coquihalla in the 38+degree heat managing to find a few roadside or short off road trip caches.  I must say the 120 km speed limit was quite liberating.  However, I had lots of time so enjoyed the drive.

Made it through Kamloops with my next target being a puzzle cache I had solved near McClure.  Found the cache easily and then continued to have a look at the McClure Ferry. 

I was hoping to find a cache at Little Hell's Gate so drove approx 3 km down a dirt road.  Although the cache was missing the location was worth it.  Beautiful little spot.

I spent the night in Valemount and hit the road real early.  Made Robson in time to snag the requisite picture before moving on to Jasper.  This time I had a National Park Pass so was finally able to enjoy Jasper itself.  Lots of interesting sites to see once you get off the highway.  History I never knew about.

After spending about 3  hours in the Jasper area it was time to move on.  Stopped and picked up more caches along the Yellowhead. I was unable to find a cache in a series but when I looked at the cache page I discovered that it was an earthcache.  It is really easy to get distracted when you have lots of time and no immediate deadline.