The Shamrock on 4762 Miles to Babb and Back
Late last year my brother Brad mentioned going on a road trip this summer. I had one in mind, but really didn’t think he would be interested as it would go almost all the way to Canada. The top of my list of places to visit next was ‘the crown jewel of the continent, Glacier National Park’. While it is a pretty place, perhaps once of the reasons it has that name is it not the most convenient place to get to and will cost the price of several crown jewels to see. Without invading his HIPA personal space, he also had some health issues right after mentioning it to me, so I didn’t even bring it up again.
Surprisingly he brought it up to me sometime in January, I then mentioned it to our sister Gaylyna, who had some similar health issues to Brad in December, that also required her to have surgery. I was in the odd position of almost trying to talk them out of the trip as I knew it would be a long haul, but after everyone said they were onboard, I commenced to planning a road trip that would take us to Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Parks. We completed our journey this past Sunday, as I was pulling out of my brother’s driveway to make the last 100-mile leg to my habitat, I snapped a picture of the trip meter. We had covered 4762 miles over two weeks from south central Texas to Babb, Montana, and back with a stop on the way back in our native Oklahoma for the annual Jones reunion on our mother’s side. Who would have thought as kids we would have both volunteered to subject ourselves to 4762 miles in a car ride with each other? While you can’t stop father time, and all of us will get old if we live long enough, the positive side is you usually drop the childhood issues of not being able to commute without punching each other in the arm and enjoy the company of siblings as you don’t have the luxury of childhood, time.
This is the tale of our 4762-mile summer road trip, where we managed to hug each other at the end of it, without being coerced by our parents to do so.
If you just came here for the pics, below are links to my Flickr albums. This includes ones I took, some of my sister’s, and some taken by her daughter/my niece Addisyn. If someone wants to license one of the photos for thousands of dollars, we can figure out who took it so they get the royalties. Hopefully that person will share with the rest of us.
Colorado
Texas
Driving through Wyoming
Grand Teton NP
Yellowstone NP
Cody, WY
Glacier NP
Glacier NP, Two Medicine Lake (Waterproof Camera)
July 15, 2022
We left Brad’s house about 4:30PM and drove to Abilene, Texas
Saturday, July 16, 2022
Before heading to Amarillo where we would meet my sister Gaylyna and her family, we had breakfast at the Dixie Pig, Abilene’s oldest restaurant. After learning from our Uncle James that our grandparents were married in Abilene, we marveled at the idea that they may have eaten at the same restaurant some 81 years earlier. If you ever find yourself in Abilene, I highly recommend having a meal at the Dixie Pig. Just bring cash, the don’t take credit cards. Fortunately, Brad was stocked up. They do have an ATM onsite too. The waitress didn’t even yell at me when I spilled a glass of water on the counter right before we left.
On the way to Amarillo, we made a quick stop in Amarillo and paid homage to Buddy Holley.
We made it to Amarillo in the early afternoon and met Gaylyna and her family at the hotel. Well Motel maybe, the doors were on the outside. The plan was for us to eat dinner at the Big Texan Steakhouse, but they were quite busy and we didn’t not want to wait out in the West Texas sun for over an hour to get seated, so we ended up at a BBQ place run by the parents of a lady my sister knows in Oklahoma. I think the name of the place was Spicy Mike’s BBQ. It was pretty good.
Sunday, July 17, 2022
Before leaving Amarillo and heading to Loveland, CO. We stopped by the Cadillac Ranch and did a little spray painting.
Our nephew Caleb joined us for the ride. We passed through part of New Mexico, driving by the Capulin Volcano National Monument. He texted his buddy back in Oklahoma to let him know he had just passed by a volcano. We for lunch in Trinidad shortly after entering Colorado.
Denver traffic was surprisingly heavy for a Sunday afternoon, but we made it to our hotel in Loveland, CO around 6PM. We roughed it for a night at the Embassy Suites.
Monday, July 18, 2022
The journey north continued to Wyoming, after stopping in Rawlins for lunch and provisions, we headed for our destination, Dubois, WY with a stop along the way at Split Rock National Monument. Split Rock was used as a landmark by the pioneers on the Oregon Trail and was also a relay point for the Pony Express.
We made it to Dubois, a little after 6 and checked into the Stagecoach Inn, our lodging for the next two nights. We had dinner at the Cowboy Café, which was a short walk from the inn.
Tuesday, July 19, 2022
It was time to introduce the rest of the group to Grand Teton NP (I visited in 2017), which was about an hour and a half from our hotel. For reference, it cost us $148 a night to stay in Dubois. It would have cost over $350 a night to stay closer to Grand Teton in Jackson, and that would have been a place like Motel 6.
Our first stop inside the park was Oxbow Bend which is close to the Moran entrance in GTNP from the east side.
At 10 AM, we did the Jenny Lake Scenic Boat Tour, which is a 1-hour trip around the lake. Our guide from Jenny Lake Boating was Travers. He was knowledgeable, and I actually picked up on several things I didn’t catch when doing the same tour in 2017.
After the boat tour, we found a picnic spot with a view of the mountains. From there we made a quick trip into Jackson and decided it was way too busy for our liking, so we returned to the park and snapped pictures by the Grand Teton sign.
Then we visited Mormon row, and the Snake River Overlook, the same spot Ansel Adams captured his iconic image of the Snake River. It doesn’t look the same as the trees have grown considerably in the last 70 years since Ansel stood there, but it’s still cool to look at the river from the same spot as him.
We then headed back to Dubois for our second night there. We also returned to the Cowboy Café for a second night.
Wednesday, July 20, 2022
We left Dubois and headed back to Grand Teton, arriving at Jenny Lake about 8AM, which made our prospects for parking a lot better than the day before as we were able to find parking close to the Jenny Lake Visitor Center. While the rest of the group went to take the hiker shuttle boat across Jenny Lake, and go on a hike to Inspiration Point, I decided just to chill out near Jenny Lake. After a few hours of waiting for them to return from the hike, I decided to attach my action camera to the top of my Rav4 and get some footage driving around Grand Teton. I drove around the Jenny Lake Scenic Loop a few times and drove down roads I had not been on before. While I am under no illusion anyone is going to watch all the raw video I took during the trip, I am sharing it all. At some point I will try make a condensed highlight reel, but you can see it all right now for the low price of nothing.
After the group returned from their hike and made contributions to the economy at the gift shop, we headed north for the journey to Yellowstone, stopping first for a last look at Jackson Lake, and a picnic near the Colter Bay general store.
We officially made it through the south entrance of Yellowstone a little after 3PM. Traffic was not too bad, but there was some construction going on with 1-way roads where you had to wait and follow a pilot car. We made it to Old Faithful Lodge around 5PM and got checked into our cabins.
It took a lot of trying but several months ago, I looked every day for availability at Old Faithful, finally two cabins popped up (1 double bed, 1 twin bed). I knew we would be cramped, but it’s all about the location and if you can stay inside the park, it saves a lot of windshield time if you plan on spending more than 1 day in the park, which I highly recommend. Eventually I was able to add on a second night in the cabins in June. Stating the obvious here, but if you are planning a trip to a place like Yellowstone, book as far in advance as you can. If there is nothing available, find lodging outside of the park (unless you plan on camping, then just reserve a camp site), and keep looking every day. Something usually pops up, at least it has on my first and this trip to Yellowstone.
Once we settled into the cabins, we went for the short walk to Old Faithful and didn’t have to wait but about 15 minutes until the next eruption.
Then we had a very lackluster dinner in the Old Faithful Lodge cafeteria. Not that you are visiting for the food, but the food by the park vendors is not the highlight of the trip.
After dinner we sat outside our cabins, the temperature quickly cooled off when the sun went down, going from being warm, to being chilly and everyone grabbing a hoodie. One by one, our group retired for the night, I wanted to stay out and see the stars, but it gets dark very late (after 10pm), so I eventually gave up and went to bed myself.
Thursday, July 21, 2022
While I mentioned that the food is not great by the park vendors, we did have a good breakfast at the Old Faithful Inn. Even if you aren’t staying at the inn, it is worth a visit. The breakfast buffet at $15 (including beverage) was a bargain compared to prices we paid at other places during the trip.
After breakfast, we headed to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. It is a must see on a trip to YNP.
From there we traveled north over Dunraven Pass towards Mammoth Hot Springs, stopping for a picnic along the way. Side note, my sister Gaylyna made sure we had picnic supplies for all our days in the parks. We would have been some pretty grumpy people without her planning.
Mammoth Hot Springs was packed, it was one of the few places in YNP that we had a really hard time finding parking. Gaylyna’s family was able to find a parking spot, but I was not. I ended up driving a few miles up to the upper terrace while they explored the lower terrace. When I drove back down, I was able to find a spot and met up with them.
We then headed back up to the north terrace and did the drive through there, it was about 3PM or so and everyone was getting pretty worn out.
Along the way back to Old Faithful, we made a few stops at Beryl Springs, Gibbons Falls, and Firehole Falls.
After having dinner at the Old Faithful Grill, we went back to the cabins and eventually all ended up out at the Old Faithful viewing area again to take in another eruption at sunset.
Friday, July 22, 2022
The rest of the group did some hiking in the Old Faithful area to the Morning Glory Pool. The pictures they shared were very nice!
You will never guess, but we took in Old Faithful for one last time before checking out.
We made a stop by Yellowstone Lake on the way out and stopped at the Fishing Bridge village where Caleb was able to get his Yellowstone Junior Ranger badge.
Then it was time to leave YNP and head east to Cody, Wyoming, our stop for the night.
We had lunch at Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel, it was built in 1902 or so and named after his daughter. Cody was founded and named after Buffalo Bill Cody.
After taking a break at our motel, we returned to the Irma at 6PM for the Cody Gunfighters presentation of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, their rivalry for Etta Place, and apprehension by Doc Holiday (who was filling in as the law for the vacationing Wyatt Earp).
While it may not have reached the bar of Redford and Newman, it was entertaining. We had some ice cream at the shop across the street when it was over, I tried Huckleberry Ice Cream for the first time, it was good! It tasted like the Blue Bell southern blackberry cobbler flavor.
Then it was back to the hotel for rest.
Saturday July 23, 2022
We had breakfast the Irma Hotel and perused the gift shop for a few minutes. Then we continued heading north to Montana. The drive out of Wyoming and Montana is beautiful, you get a little spoiled with scenic overload, but it’s a wonderful drive.
Our stop for the night was in Great Falls, MT. While checking in, we noticed signs about an air show going on. When we got in our room, we saw the Air Force Thunderbirds flying by the window. I was able to snap a few pics, but not great visibility on short notice.
Sunday, July 24, 2022
It is only a few hours from Great Falls to East Glacier. We arrived there before noon and stopped at a grocery store for more picnic supplies.
Our introduction to Glacier NP was through the Two Medicine entrance. A few miles in, we stopped for a hike to Running Eagle Falls (that Brad found on all trails app). I think it was like half a mile in and out. Running Eagle was a female warrior in the Blackfoot tribe, and the falls are named after her.
After the stop there we drove down into Two Medicine and had a picnic by Two Medicine Lake. The views were amazing, of course everyone in Glacier is like looking at a post card.
After lunch, the rest of the group rented a couple of canoes, I hung out by the lake and watched them from afar.
After the canoe excursion, we headed for our lodging for two days in Babb, Montana at Hooks Hideaway Motel. We were only 13 miles from the Canadian border but never made it up there just to say we ‘saw Canada’. We would have considered visiting Canada, but not everyone in our group has a passport (I renewed mine recently and didn’t have mine either until we got back), and they are strict on showing vax papers. That’s a no from us!
Hooks Hideaway Motel is in a beautiful location, the motel itself is about aa no frills as can be, but it was clean and a place to stay that didn’t cost $300 a night ($140 a night for those keeping score).
Once we checked in, we drove back to St. Mary and had some very overpriced sandwiches at a ‘Café’ that only served cold sandwiches. After ‘dinner’ we drove into the St. Mary entrance of the park and made it a little over halfway, just past Logan’s Pass we pulled over at a spot and saw a few Mountain Goats.
We made it back to our motel around 9:30PM and turned in.
Monday, July 25, 2022
The rest of the group did a 2-mile hike, while I went to the St. Mary Lake, Rising Sun boat dock to get our tour tickets at Glacier Lake Boat Co. I stopped a few places along the way and took some pics.
The boat tour on St. Mary Lake was an hour and a half and stopped for about 30 minutes for an optional hike to Virginia falls.
Our boat captain was Pixie, a young guy not to far out of high school, living the dream all of us, running boat tours in Glacier National Park while he figures out what he wants to do in life. The other boat was captained by a girl from Kentucky, I think her name was Samantha. I could be wrong, but think her and Pixie might be an item, or just close friends.
Once the boat tour was over, we drove west and stopped at Sun Point for a picnic.
Then it was time to continue our journey west over Going to the sun Road.
Probably the best way to describe Glacier and Going to the Sun Road is like you are in Jurassic Park, without the dinosaurs. The beauty is immense! We couldn’t find parking at Logan’s Pass but kept going and made several stops along the way until we got to the west side of the park.
We stopped at Red Rock Point, a beautiful swimming spot (for those prepared for the frigid waters). Caleb took a dip, but it was a little chilly for him, he didn’t stay in long. I would have given it a shot, but it was a little treacherous to get down to the water and I am not so agile but do love to swim! I also didn’t have my swim trunks on. If I ever go back, will be prepared!
From there we continued west to Lake McDonald. It looks like a big mirror! We all got our feet wet there, and the water wasn’t too cold. Caleb took another dip.
We then turned back east and headed back up Going to the Sun Road, making stops along the way. Logan Pass wasn’t as busy, but we still had to drive around a bit to find parking. In our car, I let Brad out and I drove around until finding a spot. The climb of the stairs to the top of the Logan Point Visitor Center took some effort, but the views were worth it.
Several more stops as we headed back to St. Mary, and while we had good fortune the whole trip with weather, it did start storming and some pretty heavy rain came down as we made our way out of the park.
In St. Mary, we made a stop at a gift shop and deposited some more money into the local economy. We were going to get pizza at the local pizza shop, but they said it was going to be over an hour wait. There is a place in Babb, called the Cattle Barons Supper Club. Their regular menu is a bit pricey, but they also have a little part of the building that serves pizza. All I know is it tasted pretty good at the time! Then it was back to Hooks Hideaway.
Tuesday, July 26, 2022
It was time to start the long journey south. Before leaving Babb, we stopped at Thronson’s General Store, it reminds one of the stores on The Waltons. Along the way we passed by the Little Bighorn Battleground (or at least the exit for it), looking at the landscape, I imagined the Lakota Sioux and Cheyenne Indians roaming around the land, as well as Custer and his troops riding to meet their fate. With that said, the landscape of the area is quite scenic, maybe just not as scenic as the places we had just come from. This was one of our longest driving days, and we made it to Sheridan, WY around 6:30PM.
Wednesday, July 27, 2022
We drove from Sheridan, WY to Denver, CO.
Thursday, July 28, 2022
I would say we took one last look at the Rocky Mountains before pulling out of Denver, but the east side where we were was not that scenic. Although Brad did have his eye on a classy motorhome that was sitting on the hotel property. Let’s just say Cousin Eddie’s RV would have been an upgrade compared to this one.We drove from Denver to Salina, KS for the night. Probably could have pushed it on in to Gaylyna’s, but I had already made the reservations and it was too late to cancel.
Friday, July 29, 2022
We drove from Salina, KS to my sister’s house in Skiatook, OK, arriving at noon. We didn’t go anywhere the rest of the day. Uncle James joined us for dinner and played a little guitar for us.
Saturday, July 30, 2022
Our family reunion on our maternal Grandmother’s side of the family was being held near Tulsa in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. Although the reunion is a different format than what I grew up with, and I really enjoyed, it was good to see everyone. After the reunion we went back to Gaylyna’s, and Brad and I prepared for the final leg of the road trip.
Sunday, July 31, 2022
Brad and I left a little after 6AM, and made it back to his house in Smithville, TX about 3:30PM. I made it back to my apartment in The Woodlands just before 6PM.
This was an amazing trip, and two weeks in a car is a long time for sure, I don’t think I could have done it with few other people than my brother, or sister’s family. Sure, we were all road weary after the journey, but I would do it again this week if I could, not sure the rest of the group would agree! I read a book a few years ago called Honeymoon with my brother, it’s a true story of a guy getting stood up on the weekend of a destination wedding, and the families from both sides have already arrived. With the resources already allotted for the reception, he turned it into a party with family and friends. The honeymoon was also paid for, rather than cancel, he took his brother. They ended up traveling around the world together for a few years and reconnected during their travels. Not that Brad and I are that out of touch with each other, but this may be our version of that, except with our sister’s family too. Maybe we call it, the Never was going to be a honeymoon with my brother, and sister, and her family? Not that I have any kind of ownership over Yellowstone or Grand Teton, but it was great to share an experience with family, that I felt the first time I visited. We also have Glacier now that we all visited together. A surprise from the trip is with Brad being so well traveled around the world, I was thinking he would kind of shrug off what we saw in the parks. However, I heard him say a few times that “I’ve been all over the world and never seen anything like we’ve seen on this trip.” That was cool to hear.
One thing I have found is I always get melancholy when a trip comes to an end, if time and money were not obstacles, I think I could live on the road for a while. Of course, I am coming back to an apartment, the rest of the family is going back to their homes. I heard a George Carlin comedy bit where he was talking about the homeless problem. He said, ‘home is an idea’, houselessness is the problem needing to be solved’. I am very fortunate to not be houseless, but I do struggle with the idea of where ‘home’ is. I think that is why get a little sad when a trip comes to an end (besides the obvious of going back to work for the man). With all that said, we made a lot of new memories, talked about old ones, contemplated about how our mother would have enjoyed the trip and would be glad we went on it together (despite not everyone from the family joining us). No doubt it takes considerable planning, and money to do a road trip from Texas to almost Canada. One day when I am loaded with cash, I’ll bring the whole family along.
Where to next? I’m not sure, but I am ready to go there.