{"id":3573,"date":"2009-07-13T01:08:50","date_gmt":"2009-07-13T06:08:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/?p=3573"},"modified":"2012-05-15T18:23:25","modified_gmt":"2012-05-15T23:23:25","slug":"nels-notes-nomadic-wandering-shenanigans-july-3-12-2009","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theworldbyroad.com\/expedition\/2009\/07\/13\/nels-notes-nomadic-wandering-shenanigans-july-3-12-2009","title":{"rendered":"Nels’ Notes: Nomadic Wandering Shenanigans July 3-12, 2009"},"content":{"rendered":"

Countries: <\/strong>Canada, United States of America<\/p>\n

Miles Driven<\/strong>:\u00c2\u00a0 1,529 Miles<\/p>\n

Song of the Week<\/strong>: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Time To Move On\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u201cTom Petty<\/p>\n

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Book of the Week<\/strong>:\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, the Place You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll Go!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 Dr. Seuss<\/p>\n

Oh, the Places You’ll Go! (Classic Seuss)<\/a>\"\"<\/p>\n

Quote of the Week<\/strong>:\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153DON\u00e2\u20ac\u2122T WORRY!\u00c2\u00a0 I CAN FIX IT.\u00c2\u00a0 ALL I NEED IS AN AVACADO AND SOME DUCT TAPE!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d- something someone screamed at 3 a.m., in Bigfork, Montana, the night of the fireworks, as the sprinklers were going off in the camping area<\/p>\n

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\"DSC_0006\" The long road has almost come to an end.\u00c2\u00a0 We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re sitting here, at Steve mom\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s place in Dillon, Sunday afternoon, with only an hour and forty-five minutes from home and the completion of the on the road portion of The World By Road Expedition.\u00c2\u00a0 We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be making our way to Denver mid-day, Monday.\u00c2\u00a0 Just the thought of the end of the road is a beyond eerie feeling, so I haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t a clue what\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s going on in Shoppman\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mind, for this has been his life for the last 29 months.\u00c2\u00a0 It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s been an incredible ride, and has been an amazing experience.\u00c2\u00a0 Blogs on the finale will be up soon, put first on to the week in review.<\/p>\n

Two Friday\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s ago we left Edmonton, Alberta heading south toward Montana to make it in time for the anniversary of our country\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s birth.\u00c2\u00a0 We made it to the final border crossing of the expedition at the Port of Piegan crossing.\u00c2\u00a0 Miss Somlai got all of her paperwork finalized, and we were all ready to re-enter the USA.\u00c2\u00a0 Craig and I went to Glacier National Park to visit a female acquaintance I know that works there, while the rest of the crew headed to Bigfork, Montana to take part in their firework festivities.\u00c2\u00a0 It was hilarious to watch and listen to the locals putting on the fireworks display in Babb, Montana.\u00c2\u00a0 From what I saw there were no injuries or burns to report, and that is by far a miracle.\u00c2\u00a0 The rest of the crew really enjoyed the fireworks in Bigfork, and we all really \"DSC_0038\"appreciated being able to celebrate back in our home country.<\/p>\n

The following day we met up in the Apgar Campground on the west side of Glacier National Park.\u00c2\u00a0 We were able to take in the scenic views by Lake MacDonald, had a nice little fire, and witnessed Craig prepare his famous hamburgers.\u00c2\u00a0 We retired for the night to get ready for an adventure the next day.\u00c2\u00a0 Meagan, Celeste and Kristen took off for a hike in the Glacier Wilderness, I took the bus to Logan Pass for a down pour filled hike, Craig stayed back because he wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t feeling well, and Steve and Zsofi headed into town to get the tires rotated on the Tundra for our drive to Bozeman, Montana.<\/p>\n

Our return to Bozeman was just as well as the first.\u00c2\u00a0 We again were graciously accommodated by the Sheldons, and we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re really glad to get a chance to see them again.\u00c2\u00a0 It was also a fun place to celebrate my birthday, and I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t thank everyone enough for all they did for me.\u00c2\u00a0 Homemade mac and cheese, a choc\"DSC_0096\"olate chip ice cream cake and stellar company were an incredible combination.\u00c2\u00a0 Thanks again.\u00c2\u00a0 I greatly appreciated it.<\/p>\n

From Bozeman our trek took us to beautiful Yellowstone National Park where we toured the Mammoth Hot Springs, which has the appearance of another planet.\u00c2\u00a0 The geothermal activity in the region makes it beyond unique and the variety of colors it produces on the landscape is really something to see.\u00c2\u00a0 We camped in the park that night, and got ready for the next days rafting trip with Meagan and Kristen\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s friend, Jason Butler.<\/p>\n

We awoke ready to take on the Yellowstone River with the Yellowstone Raft Company<\/a> with Jason as our guide.\u00c2\u00a0 We had a blast on the 8 miles, Class II-III white water stretch on the river, but this was just the first part of our rafting adventure, for Jason said that later that day, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be running the canyon.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 We got off the water from our first stretch, got some food, and then headed to their \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Guide Camp,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d where we were able to stay.\u00c2\u00a0 While we set up camp a group of guides \"P7090150\" got the boat and gear together, got the shuttle figured out, and gave us a safety speech.\u00c2\u00a0 We started our run and right away knew this wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t your everyday stroll down the river.\u00c2\u00a0 We hit the first rapid called \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Revenge,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d well, actually, the rapid hit me, launching me up in air.\u00c2\u00a0 If it weren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t for Celeste and Meagan behind me to stop me I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sure I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d have been thrown out of the boat.\u00c2\u00a0 Thanks again, girls.\u00c2\u00a0 We then hit another series of rapids, and you could tell how much everyone enjoyed it by the permanent smiles on everyone\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s faces.\u00c2\u00a0 It was an exciting trip, and we were really lucky to be able to hang out with the guides from Yellowstone Raft Company.<\/p>\n

This past Friday was a scenic driving day as we left Yellowstone, watched the magical eruption of Old Faithful, traveled through the Tetons, and reached Jackson, Wyoming late that night.\u00c2\u00a0 Steamboat Springs was the next destination, and we left Jackson early for another day on the road.\u00c2\u00a0 After a few stops for some pictures we went to a pizza joint before our drive to the Strawberry Park Hot Springs.\u00c2\u00a0 The place cracked us up.\u00c2\u00a0 The hot springs are in total darkness, has a clothing optional policy at night, and has nothing but romance in the air.\u00c2\u00a0 High school kids were enjoying one pool, what appeared to be some middle-aged couples were enjoying some quiet time, and some random males were using the clothing optional rule a bit too much.\u00c2\u00a0 To each their own, I guess.<\/p>\n

\"DSC_0178\" The conclusion of our hot springs experience got us to the trucks at approximately 12:30 a.m., and with camping not allowed, we hit the road to find a spot, The World By Road style.\u00c2\u00a0 Shoppman, in the lead car, found the beginning of the Rabbit Ear\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Pass, and got us to a turnout along side the road where we could set up the tents.\u00c2\u00a0 A perfect place for the last camping spot on the expedition.<\/p>\n

The morning brought us to an arts and crafts festival of sorts in downtown Steamboat.\u00c2\u00a0 Steve and Zsofi went after a Brat, Craig and I engulfed some BBQ Ribs, Meagan loved her Ice Tea, Kristen enjoyed an organic wrap of chicken\/strawberries\/some kind of cheese\/lettuce, and Celeste got a hot dog bun\/banana\/granola\/peanut butter\/whatever else was in it concoction.\u00c2\u00a0 One has to enjoy the diversity of humans.<\/p>\n

From Steamboat we took Colorado County Road 9 to Dillon, Colorado, to the house of Steve\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Mom, Judy and Step-Dad, Tom.\u00c2\u00a0 It was great to see the familiar faces of two of our biggest supporters.\u00c2\u00a0 We had a delicious homecoming meal with them, some went on a walk, some on a run, and others took in the comfort of a couch.\u00c2\u00a0 Some things will never be taken for granted ever again.<\/p>\n

The end of the road is Denver, 70 miles from the doorstep here in Dillon.\u00c2\u00a0 The expedition has gone over 6 continents, through 69 countries, traveled 76,934 miles and has spanned the last 2 years and 152 days.\u00c2\u00a0 We are all beyond thankful for all the support, and thank you for following us.\u00c2\u00a0 Just as in life, our adventures will continue, and can be continued to be followed here on the site.<\/p>\n

The World By Road.\u00c2\u00a0 A truly epic adventure.\u00c2\u00a0 Denver or Bust.\u00c2\u00a0 Here we come.<\/p>\n

Additional Photos of the Week:<\/p>\n

\"DSC_0022\" The beauty of Glacier National Park<\/p>\n

\"DSC_0082\"<\/p>\n

World travelers in Mammoth Hot Springs<\/p>\n

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\"P7100183\"<\/p>\n

Upper Falls in Yellowstone National Park<\/p>\n

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\"DSC_0129\"<\/p>\n

Louisiana tandem enjoying the day in Yellowstone<\/p>\n

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Toyota Trucks meet the Teton Mountains<\/p>\n

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\"P7090106\"<\/p>\n

One can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t beat a day on the water<\/p>\n

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\"P7090131\"<\/p>\n

Yellowstone Raft Co. buses with Yellowstone National Park in the distance<\/p>\n

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\"P7100194\"<\/p>\n

Note the seed in his mouth.\u00c2\u00a0 I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m a fan of sunflower seeds, and wanted to share the wealth.<\/p>\n

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\"P7100199\"\n\n

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