No, No, No West Yellowstone
Most of today’s adventure has been good. Brisk and clear weather in the early morning hours, sunny with a light breeze throughout the afternoon, and a chilly but clear evening make for a pleasing atmosphere. The terrain east of Ennis was flat to rolling. Huge ranches sporting hundreds of cattle, and big black bulls sniffing their weary prey, keep me occupied helping to whittle away the hours. Snow capped peaks accentuated by a few noisy truck stuffed high with 1000 pound bales of hay accentuate the beauty.
Then, ug! In West Yellowstone, in addition to the annoying neon signs and glitter, there is the disaster of people overload. Tourists, tourists and more tourists, clog the narrow streets lined with not so cheap curio shops, and pack the local restaurants generating long waiting lines even for the simplest of meals. Suddenly I relish those lonely nights tucked away in heatless hunter cabins, creaky beds above bars, the noisy but friendly band members reminiscing at 2 AM, and even snowy Butte where hotel owners were simply trying to hold on to a tiny share of the tourist dollar. Well what can I do? I am here and now know I must pass through quickly.