Today was a treat. I cleaned, organized, and did some packing. Then this afternoon my friends Pei and Chris arrived. They are currently moving from NYC to San Francisco, and decided to drive through the park. As things turned out, I had the day free. We met at the visitor's center in the afternoon, then drove up to door/window area, hiked the notch trail, walked out on some of the door trail, then proceeded to drive the loop road and out to Sage Creek. Made just a couple stops along the way, spending most of our time down in sage creek, wandering around the creek near the campground. The bison were not around, and I was finally able to head a different direction along the creek, which I have long wanted to do. Pei and Chris are photographers and it was a pleasure to be out shooting with them. As the sun went down we packed up and drove back through the park and down to the Wagon Wheel for a very late dinner. Many of my park friends were there, and it was a large and fun group: Katie, Ryan, Ed, Tricia, John, Mat, Aaron, Megan, Julie (archaeologist), Pei, Chris, and I. Jerry, too, of course, and he had some new menu items. With a partially new electric system for the expansion, he can now run a deep fryer, so has french fries, onion rings, deep fried cheese, and more on the list. Pei and Chris decorated a dollar for the Wagon Wheel collection. The wind picked up while we relaxed, and by the time we were ready to leave the force of the wind was opening and closing the door, triggering the chime in the back of the office. Having two beds and a couch paid off today since it allowed me to offer reasonable accommodations to friends for the night. They're off to Yellowstone in the morning.
Pei and Chris above the log ladder at Notch Trail.
