People (Characters) We Met on our Roadtrip
Mary, the Flagger Lady
We were on our way to Tetons National Park when we had to stop for road construction just south of Yellowstone. We, of course, were the first car in the long long line waiting to get to the Tetons/Jackson Hole area. Our truck windows were down which must have been the invitation to the Construction worker to start a conversation.
"Hello and Welcome to Montana's Grand Central Station, gateway to the Tetons, Jackson Hole and the biggest road construction project in the state. Where are you headed?" Mary said.
"Tetons National Park" we said.
"Oh nice! I live in a new trailer, just up there by the bridge - not new actually - but new to me - my employer owns it - but it's really nice. Last night, though you'd a-thought there was a kegger going on - and me tryin' to sleep and all - well anyway, I started to listen - kind of spooky, but I never get scard of stuff like that - but spooky noises, kinda funny (chuckle *snort* chuckle, knee-slap)- well anyway, it was getting really noisy and I'm trying to sleep so I started to hoot like an owl and the noises would stop but just for a minute - and (this is when her radio started going off and a guy on the other end saying "How many cars you got? Hey, I said how many cars you got? Mary? Mary, how many cars...." but instead of answering, she just turns down her radio and continues with her story) and the noise just kept getting louder. So this morning, I got up really early and started opening up the cupboards and the cabinets and ya should a-seen the mess! (Radio is still going off, by the way, but Mary still isn't answering.) So, I pulled out the garbage, stuffed up the holes with SOS thingers and I guess I made it mad because it went off - the biggest dangest squirrel - and I mean the biggest dangest squirrel I ever seen!"
Oh, did I mention the guy on the other end of Mary's radio is STILL asking about the number of cars? So the pilot car finally shows up and is leading over 60 cars, bikes and semis. Mary lets out a huge sigh and says "Well, you have fun in the Tetons, really pretty they are, but don't take the bridge road, it takes too long - be careful - you'll be on your way in a few".
Off Mary goes to the pilot car driver and by the amount of time it took him to pull away and turn around, I'm sure he heard all about the "biggest, dangest squirrel" too!
God love ya Mary, but pity the poor car that's first in your line!
Biker Dude
While taking a rest break by Cascade Falls, a Harley rolls to a stop next to us. The guy gets off, takes off his jacket, lights up a cigarette and starts up a conversation about the park, the roads (he had had enough of the construction as well), the weather and almost everything else he could think of. He told us he had left Southern California, followed "The 1" up the coast, cut across Oregon then through Glacier and down to Yellowstone. His route will take him through Wyoming, Utah, Colorado with his final destination somewhere in Alabama. After visiting with some friends, he will return to his home in Southern California, racking up almost 6000 miles in the process. He's averaging 600 miles a day, so far! We started feeling "NumBum" just talking to him. Travel Safe, Man!!
The Old Man by Tower
We were on the bike, traveling from the North Gate of Yellowstone and heading towards Tower when we stopped for gas (and to watch the Buffalo). Keith had just pulled the gas cap off when an older Greek gentleman came right up to Keith and started asking questions about the bike. "How many cylinders? How fast? Do you l-o-v-e it?" asked the old man.
Keith answered all his questions with a nod and a smile. The old man's smile grew as he ran his hand along the windshield, over the handlebars and along the leather seats. All he could say is "Bee-ooooda-fel, bee-oooooda-fel".
As Keith is finishing up with the refueling, I noticed the old man had brought his family over to stand by the bike as he told them what he knew about it. None of their smiles could compare to our Old Friend's beaming face! Beautiful!
Father Todd
On our bike trip through Ennis, we took a detour to Virginia City. Fun little town, full of history and some fabulous old store fronts to look through. You could hear the fiddle player in front of the saloon as you walked up and down the streets. We walked to the end of Main Street and saw the old Episcopal Church a block off Main. We took some pictures and then went inside. We weren't in the church for more than 2 minutes, when Father Todd came out to introduce himself and tell us about the church, the history of the building, the furnishings, the beautiful stained glass windows and pipe organ. He showed us the back of the organ and the 100 year old carpet that is still in the back vestibule. Father Todd proudly told us that he was in charge of the l
argest congregation in Virginia City - 10 faithful followers, which accounts for 10% of the towns population, the largest congregation in town! Father Todd then told us about the history of Virginia City and with a little prodding he told us the more colorful history of the town, Sheriff Plummer and his Road Agents. He told us about one of the Agents, George "Club Foot" Lang and how the later historians identified his and the other unmarked graves on Boot Hill. As proof, they took the Club Foot from the grave and now have it displayed in the museum, along with other "bizarre and grizzly items from the area".
We were on our way to Tetons National Park when we had to stop for road construction just south of Yellowstone. We, of course, were the first car in the long long line waiting to get to the Tetons/Jackson Hole area. Our truck windows were down which must have been the invitation to the Construction worker to start a conversation.
"Hello and Welcome to Montana's Grand Central Station, gateway to the Tetons, Jackson Hole and the biggest road construction project in the state. Where are you headed?" Mary said.
"Tetons National Park" we said.
"Oh nice! I live in a new trailer, just up there by the bridge - not new actually - but new to me - my employer owns it - but it's really nice. Last night, though you'd a-thought there was a kegger going on - and me tryin' to sleep and all - well anyway, I started to listen - kind of spooky, but I never get scard of stuff like that - but spooky noises, kinda funny (chuckle *snort* chuckle, knee-slap)- well anyway, it was getting really noisy and I'm trying to sleep so I started to hoot like an owl and the noises would stop but just for a minute - and (this is when her radio started going off and a guy on the other end saying "How many cars you got? Hey, I said how many cars you got? Mary? Mary, how many cars...." but instead of answering, she just turns down her radio and continues with her story) and the noise just kept getting louder. So this morning, I got up really early and started opening up the cupboards and the cabinets and ya should a-seen the mess! (Radio is still going off, by the way, but Mary still isn't answering.) So, I pulled out the garbage, stuffed up the holes with SOS thingers and I guess I made it mad because it went off - the biggest dangest squirrel - and I mean the biggest dangest squirrel I ever seen!"
Oh, did I mention the guy on the other end of Mary's radio is STILL asking about the number of cars? So the pilot car finally shows up and is leading over 60 cars, bikes and semis. Mary lets out a huge sigh and says "Well, you have fun in the Tetons, really pretty they are, but don't take the bridge road, it takes too long - be careful - you'll be on your way in a few".
Off Mary goes to the pilot car driver and by the amount of time it took him to pull away and turn around, I'm sure he heard all about the "biggest, dangest squirrel" too!
God love ya Mary, but pity the poor car that's first in your line!
Biker Dude
While taking a rest break by Cascade Falls, a Harley rolls to a stop next to us. The guy gets off, takes off his jacket, lights up a cigarette and starts up a conversation about the park, the roads (he had had enough of the construction as well), the weather and almost everything else he could think of. He told us he had left Southern California, followed "The 1" up the coast, cut across Oregon then through Glacier and down to Yellowstone. His route will take him through Wyoming, Utah, Colorado with his final destination somewhere in Alabama. After visiting with some friends, he will return to his home in Southern California, racking up almost 6000 miles in the process. He's averaging 600 miles a day, so far! We started feeling "NumBum" just talking to him. Travel Safe, Man!!
The Old Man by Tower
We were on the bike, traveling from the North Gate of Yellowstone and heading towards Tower when we stopped for gas (and to watch the Buffalo). Keith had just pulled the gas cap off when an older Greek gentleman came right up to Keith and started asking questions about the bike. "How many cylinders? How fast? Do you l-o-v-e it?" asked the old man.
Keith answered all his questions with a nod and a smile. The old man's smile grew as he ran his hand along the windshield, over the handlebars and along the leather seats. All he could say is "Bee-ooooda-fel, bee-oooooda-fel".
As Keith is finishing up with the refueling, I noticed the old man had brought his family over to stand by the bike as he told them what he knew about it. None of their smiles could compare to our Old Friend's beaming face! Beautiful!
Father Todd
On our bike trip through Ennis, we took a detour to Virginia City. Fun little town, full of history and some fabulous old store fronts to look through. You could hear the fiddle player in front of the saloon as you walked up and down the streets. We walked to the end of Main Street and saw the old Episcopal Church a block off Main. We took some pictures and then went inside. We weren't in the church for more than 2 minutes, when Father Todd came out to introduce himself and tell us about the church, the history of the building, the furnishings, the beautiful stained glass windows and pipe organ. He showed us the back of the organ and the 100 year old carpet that is still in the back vestibule. Father Todd proudly told us that he was in charge of the l
argest congregation in Virginia City - 10 faithful followers, which accounts for 10% of the towns population, the largest congregation in town! Father Todd then told us about the history of Virginia City and with a little prodding he told us the more colorful history of the town, Sheriff Plummer and his Road Agents. He told us about one of the Agents, George "Club Foot" Lang and how the later historians identified his and the other unmarked graves on Boot Hill. As proof, they took the Club Foot from the grave and now have it displayed in the museum, along with other "bizarre and grizzly items from the area".
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