Dirt Roads

I’m beginning to realize that the roads around here are either Interstate highways or washboard dirt roads.  There doesn’t appear to be much in between.  So, in order to see anything, you need to be willing to drive on washboard dirt roads.

I’ve driven on a lot of dirt roads so far.  Average speeds are usually about 10 to 15 miles per hour.  And I will probably have to fix a few things that have shaken or rattled apart once this trip is over.  It’s like driving a house subjected to a continual earthquake.  Something is bound to break.

And accompanying those dirt roads is dust.  Fine dust that gets everywhere.  Somehow, it even infiltrates inside and leaves a fine layer over everything.

Today was no exception.  Most of what little driving we did was on washboard dirt roads.  First, we left our campsite in the Circle Park area via Forest Service Road 20, then drove down FSR 21 toward the Tie Hack area.  There’s some trails there that look interesting.

While we were looking for the trailhead, we happened on the Tie Hack picnic area, which is located right next to the Tie Hack Reservoir.  We struck up a conversation with two Forest Service guys that were servicing the restrooms.  One of them must have spotted the kayaks lashed to the back of the RV and asked us if we were going to kayak the reservoir.  We hadn’t really thought of that but it did look like a beautiful place to paddle around.

“Where’s the nearest place we can get a watercraft sticker?” I asked him.  Wyoming requires any watercraft that’s launched to have a AIS (Aquatic Invasive Species) sticker.

“Buffalo,” he told me, “at the sporting goods store.”  Buffalo is 20 miles and nearly 4000 feet down from here.  Definitely would be a lot for a sticker.

After a little more conversation, he told me, “I ain’t enforcin’ anything.  That’s Fish and Game.  And they are all out right now watching the hunters.”

“Duly noted,” I said, and thanked him for his time.

We paddled around the reservoir for a good hour, enjoying the tree-lined slopes and the cool morning wind.  The aspens are just starting to turn, giving a tinge of yellow to the otherwise green slopes.

We took a hike down Trail 107 after making lunch in the parking lot.  A nice hike in the woods, complete with a stream crossing, but it didn’t really have a destination.  At one point, it overlooked Tie Hack reservoir through the trees, so we got a different perspective there.

It was rather steep in spots, okay, it was rather steep most of the time.  Deb says she prefers lakes over mountains because everything is uphill and steep.

Coming out of Tie Hack, we turned down FSR 22 toward Elgin Park. Several more miles of dirt road brought us to the Elgin Park Trailhead.  Horseback riding is popular here and this location is great for horseback riding.  Wide open meadows with views of the mountains in the background, it’s quite picturesque.  We hiked around here for a while before returning to the RV.

Elgin Park is another area that’s popular for dispersed camping.  On the way in, we saw numerous campers parked in some great spots.  We hoped to find one for ourselves.  And we did.  On top of a large open hill overlooking some grasslands and stands of trees.  We made and ate dinner with a commanding view out the window.

I wanted to get some pictures, however, it started to rain as we were eating and now, as the daylight fades, we’re in the middle of a steady downpour.  So our view is somewhat obliterated and I don’t have my picture.

One thing this area doesn’t have is cell service.  Not a bit.  I tried using the cell phone booster, but amplified garbage is still garbage.  There’s just nothing to be had.  Deb wanted to look up some things for a rice dish she was making for dinner.  Not being able to do this, she just improvised and threw every spice she had at it.  Didn’t turn out too bad.

Now we’re just listening to the wind howl against the side of the RV and the rain pelting on the roof.  Temperature has already dropped to 42 degrees and I can feel the cold seeping in. We’ll definitely need the heat on tonight.

At least the rain should hold the dust down.

Meanwhile, at home, we hosted a family get-together today that we couldn’t attend because we’re 1600 miles away. So I at least took a picture using a surveillance camera.  Nice to see the home place getting some use while we are away.