My wife Lexi and I just returned from our Summer Photography trip to Beartooth Mountains (Montana), Yellowstone NP (Wyoming and Montana), and Grand Teton NP (Wyoming). I developed all of my 4×5 and 8×10 negatives. I am working on the proofing and printing, but those need more time.
During our trip, each day, I selected a memory image representing the highlights of the day, even I photographed or not that image on large format film. However, that digital snapshot was important to me and made me happy on that day.
Day 1 (Fri):
Arrived home early afternoon and packed all of our three large photo backpacks and five film coolers for my 4×5 and 8×10 cameras, Lexi’s Nikon DSLR system, laptop computers, and related power units, chargers, external hard drives to the previous day already over-packed VW Golf TDI. Luckily we received the factory roof rack bars in time and I installed our Thule roof box, which housed all of our expedition camp gear and four heavy-duty tripods with fine ball heads. About 4 PM I was ready to go, but Lexi had to work longer so we started the engine at 6 PM. From Houston, TX we drove on I-45 in moderate traffic to Fairfield, ate a good dinner at Sam’s Family restaurant, and stayed in Super 8 motel next to it.
Day 2 (Sat):
We got up at 5 AM, after our 6:30 AM breakfast we were ready to go. Drove on I-45 to Ennis, on FM-287 to Forth Worth, Decatur, Bowie, Wichita Falls, Quannah, Childress, then on FM-287 and I-40 to Amarillo. Ate lunch at Quaker Barrel Country Restaurant, then drove on FM-335/387 to Hartley and on FM-87 to Dalhart. At Texline we entered to New Mexico State and to the Mountain Time zone (gain one hour). Continued on FM-87 to Clayton, Des Moines, Raton. On this road we got four times showering and thunder threatening rain and fantastic storm clouds and interesting unusual light, even full-size double rainbow. From Raton, on I-25, through Raton Pass entered to Colorado, then in moderate traffic to Walsenburg then Pueblo. Our new Garmin GPS is great we got precise directions in an easy top to follow way. Stayed in Ramada Pueblo motel and ate a good dinner at Cactus Flower Mexican restaurant on the other side of the road. We ate too much and were tired after the all-day long, 780 miles drive.
Day 3 (Sun):
The dawn was nice, about half an hour before sunrise the sky was deep red, blue, and orange, then slowly faded and then the Sun came out fast. After a quick breakfast, we left Pueblo at 6:30 AM, drove on I-25 to Denver. I planned to use the E-470 toll road for less traffic, but somehow I missed the exit and we went through Denver on I-25. The traffic was not too bad on early Sunday morning and arrived fast to Fort Collins. Continued on I-25 to Wyoming State, Cheyenne, Casper the to Shoshoni. Lexi helped me to drive Cheyenne to Casper and that was a great relief. Ate a good dinner at Olive Garden in Cheyenne then drove to Shoshoni and on I-20 to Thermopolis. The Canyon before Thermopolis is always nice and exciting. No stopping in Thermopolis as we usually do, but we wanted to gain some time so we continued on FM-120 to Cody. Lexi helped with the driving again and in light traffic, we were able to drive fast on FM-72 to Belfry, entered to Montana State, and then on FM-308 to Red Lodge. We stayed in the comfortable, cozy Hideaway Inn and Cabins in Red Lodge near the beginning of the Beartooth Hwy. Ate dinner at Boggart’s pizza and brewery saved the leftovers for the next days’ early breakfast. The weather turned cold, but we slept with an open window, enjoyed the fresh, clean, cold air and the refreshing ice-cold glacier water.
Day 4 (Mon)
Got up at 5:30 AM, ate a slice of leftover pizza and we were on the Beartooth Hwy, looking for our trailhead. Today is the Fourth of July, Independence Day of the United States, and because this is part of the long weekend, many people travel, causing major traffic jams on the road. However, hikers got up early and were on the trails in front of us. We walked, wondered, looked, enjoyed, and photographed nature beauty. Several fast-moving hikers passed us and about a mile after we realized that we are not on the originally planned trail… walked back along Rock Creek, which was roaring, nice clean, and ice-cold. When the Sun hit the creek, the contrast was too high. When we arrived at the trailhead and looked at the map, I felt like was written in Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods… After our “big” hike we drove the Beartooth Hwy in strong wind, stopped many times previously visited well-known overlooks, viewpoints, enjoyed the scenery, but we did not photograph. I have to have a good photography mood, a communication with Nature, to make the photograph. We drove down to Cooke City, then back to the junction, and in heavy rain drove South Cody direction, then on FM-72 to Belfry and Red Lodge. This was a very nice scenic, winding, about 100 miles long road, but because the bad stormy weather was over Beartooth Hwy, I did not want to take the car in heavy snow and hale as happened before. We got storms and rain on this road too, but this was only the edge of the storm. We made it to Red Lodge around 7 PM, the local Cowboy Yodeler band made a street concert, we looked for the Red Lodge Brewery but that was far away, so finally we walked back to the downtown area and stopped by at the local Pub for food and beer. Drove back to our cozy Hideaway Inn and got a good night’s sleep at an open window. The storm amplified the peaceful roaring sound of the close-by running creek mixed with the popping sound of the Fourth of July fireworks.
Day 5 (Tue)
Got up at 5:30 AM, enjoyed the hot and ice-cold shower sessions, last piece of pizza for breakfast then packing and 7 AM check out. Drove the Beartooth Hwy in strong wind, the temperature dropped to 6 oC (42 oF), and with the wind chill, was really cold. Drove the Hwy, halfway down looked for Aspen trees. There was a junction to Lilly Lake, which was a 1.5 miles, steep, narrow, winding dirt road. We found the nice Lake, cold, clean few Lilies on the side, few people camped there, but was not really photogenic. Drove back to the paved main road and then to Cooke City. Got expensive diesel there, then drove to Yellowstone NP. Checked out the picnic area about 5 miles from the North-East entrance. The water was cold and clean; few large rocks had leaf fossils. Continued on the Park road to Lamar Valley, which was nice. We observed at least 5 large bison herds. One herd was close and two Pronghorn antelope were nearby. Lexi photographed those animals. The Lamar River was muddy, brownish in color, and the water level was low, but the Yellowstone River was nice and clean. Drove to Tower junction, nice areas, and found a black bear with a cub. Many people were there and the animals moved to the dense willows. Least we saw those. Dunraven Pass got snow yesterday, there was still some snow, but mostly clean. We had the strong wind on the pass, but we made it to Tower Falls, then to Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Hayden Valley. The riverside is filled with Canada goose. Finally in strong wind arrived at Bridge Bay camp, where we picked up our site and set up our base camp. Because of the high elevation, cold and strong wind, and probably my extra unwanted weight, we completed the camp about 3 hours. The canopy was the first, protecting our gear from the rain, then the tent, but the wind picked it up twice, and I seriously had to rope it down. We almost finished, when a greater grouse walked nearby feeding on the grass seeds. Lexi photographed the bird, then we finished the camp. We were tired in the evening, ate a good dinner at the Lake Lodge Bistro after we checked out the Fishing Bridge area. We found elk herds and more birds. Stopped at the General store, got some food and beer, then drove back to Bridge Bay camp. The camp was completely full. We were happy with our spot. The strong wind took away the clouds, starry night with massive Milky Way, but the temperature dropped, around 10 oC (50 oF) was at night.
Day 6 (Wed):
After our first night in our tent in 5 oC cold weather got up at 5:30 AM, quick refreshing face wash in ice-cold water, then dress up, packing and we were on the road again for photographing at 6 AM. The bison were in the lower level campground, wondered between tents… now tell your kids don’t go close to the bison because that is a dangerous animal… well, that huge monster can run fast and can be aggressive too. Yes, the bison is a dangerous animal, better not to be in a close encounter with them. Drove to Gull point Drive and at the first two inner lakes in at early morning I photographed a few nice landscapes and Lexi worked on the Ring-necked ducks (2 hens and 3 drakes). After about an hour of happy photography, we drove to Fishing Bridge. That was a peaceful morning. Walked on the bridge and looked around, no photography, because the light started to be harsh and the wind got up, but we enjoyed the scenery, even we did not see wildlife. Continued to Hayden Valley to Nez Perce Ford picnic area, and next to Yellowstone River, we ate a good Lexi-made hearty breakfast. The River was clean, cold, refreshing, fast running. Continued to Hayden Valley, and at Alumn Creek, we found our missed Trumpeter Swans. There were three adults and three immature birds, swimming, chasing, cleansing, flapping in the shallows of the Yellowstone River. They use to winter here because this part of the River never freezes during winter. We photographed these magnificent birds about 7 years ago at Madison River, but after that, we did not find them that for many years. What a lucky day! Lexi spotted these birds because from the moving car they looked like White Pelicans, but Lexi said: I did not see any black color on the wind tip… turned back and parked nearby and sure enough, those were the Trumpeters and Lexi photographed them. Continued to drive to Canyon Village then to Norris, stopping by Virginia Cascade, drove the loop road twice, made a few LF images at Gibbon River creek part. From Norris, we drove to Madison, checked out the lower River drive, then to West Yellowstone. After lunch, we continued North on FM-287/191 then on FM-271 to Earthquake Lake. Photographed there but the rain just started and the storm was at Yellowstone side. Drove back to Yellowstone and at the Madison River, Lexi photographed a bald eagle on a dried tree. I watched this beautiful after the heavy rain wet bird with binoculars. The rain started again, drove to Isa Lake at the Continental Divide then through Craig Pass to West Thumb and Lake Village. After dinner downloaded and checked Lexi’s images, charged the batteries at the lounge then back to our base camp, where I caught up with my diary under our large canopy in the rain. It was a cloudy and stormy very cold night with high elevation thin air, but now we are used to it.
Day 7 (Thu)
Got up at 5:30 AM, as usual, got ready at 6 AM, and left the camp photographing at Gull point drive. We really hoped in that area we will see the Kingfishers and Bald eagle or Osprey as we saw these species many times, however, no luck this time. Drove farther on Gull point drive and found a nice picnic area there which had a connection to a nice narrow peninsula with the inner lake. I saw that area from a distance many years ago but I did not know how can we go there. We will come back here for sure before sunrise. Drove to Fishing Bridge area, looked around for photo locations. Continued to East entrance direction, stopped at Indian Pond, where a large number of Canada goose fed and moved around in flocks. Lexi photographed those and luckily a deer and a bison came out to drink and small shorebirds ran around hunting for insects and many songbirds were on the sage. This was a very nice morning. Back on the trail to the parking then drove to Sylvan and Eleanor Lakes. Ate a good late breakfast at Sylvan Lake picnic area next to the lake then drove back to Fishing Bridge, Bridge Bay, Gull point Drive, to West Thumb. Stopped at Angler’s Bluff, which is a hidden picnic area and a very nice viewpoint. I photographed there for 8×10 beautiful old and freshly grown Lodgepole pines. Around 2 PM Lexi cooked a good soup just side of the Bluff, ate a good lunch, and listened to the splashing broken waves sound of the Lake. Drove to West Thumb, Grant Village, visitor center exhibits then drove down to Lewis Lake and Lewis falls, hoping we will see there a moose. Looked at all of the good old moose spots, but no moose now. Drove back to West Thumb, checked the peninsula at Gull point Drive picnic area. The late afternoon light was flat, so we decided let’s come back here for sunrise? Ate a good dinner at Lake Lodge Bistro, downloaded Lexi’s images, charged batteries, arrived back at camp about 10:45 PM. The camp was so quiet… What happened? I set up my alarm clock for 4:30 AM and slept around 11 PM. We had a cold (5 oC), a starry night. Beautiful.
Day 8 (Fri)
Got up at 4:30 AM as we planned and left the camp at 5 AM. Arrived at Gull point Drive picnic area at 5:15 AM. The dawn then the sunrise at 5:45 AM were colorful. When I set up my 4×5 the mirror water surface started to get tiny ripples, but the wind slowed down for a short time and I was able to photograph. Later, when the Sun was up, but covered with clouds and just the light rays came out from the clouds I took more photographs, focused on the peninsula and pond vegetation. Lexi extracted with her telephoto zoom the beauty of abstraction. Checked again about 7 AM the Kingfishers, but no luck again. Few ponds cape shots for 8×10 then drove to Nez Perce Ford picnic area, where we ate Lexi made great breakfast. We enjoyed this peaceful morning next to the Yellowstone River. About 8 PM we saw a few bison, but the big herds are in Lamar Valley. Drove to Alum creek and checked the Trumpeters in the shallows of the Yellowstone River. They were there, but much closer than last time. Lexi photographed them in glowing good light. About an hour later, we drove to Canyon, Canyon Village, Visitor center exhibits, then to Tower Falls, then to Mammoth. On the way, we watched and photographed a couple of Pronghorn antelopes. Stopped at Undine Falls and creek, which is a nice area. The mammoth Visitor center has free wifi, so checked e-mails and weather reports. The mornings and nights are about 3 – 5 oC cold, then slowly warms up to 20 oC., during the day. Because of the road constructions at Norris area, avoiding the traffic jam, we drove back on the same road. Lexi helped me to drive, I was tired and we changed at Dunraven Pass, which was windy and cold. Back to Fishing Bridge RV camp, where is the shower. Wow, we were clean again. Good dinner at Lake lodge, downloaded and checked Lexi’s files, she did it well. We were happy. Storm clouds were in the sky, and when we arrived at the camp, started to rain again. Writing journal under the canopy…Very nice day!
Day 9 (Sat)
Got up at 6 AM, slowly we were ready to leave. Finally, we left at 7 AM, drove to Giull Point Drive, checked out the birds. No kingfisher, but I took a few 4×5 at those nice landscape sites, large fallen dried logs in the water. Scouted at the end of the drive, but the weather was stormy again, with heavy clouds, we went back around 9 AM to the camp and made a good breakfast under our large canopy. We were happy there. The storm passed us, moved to the other side of the lake. Drove to West Thumb side lakes and one of the inner lakes had a nice landscape view, ideal for 8×10. We spent about an hour there. Drove through Cody Pass, checking small lakes nearby to Old Faithful geyser area, parked at the convenience store, which is a less known parking for geyser watching visitors. Looked around in the Old Faithfull Lodge, which is an architectural masterpiece. Ate good buffet lunch in the Lodge Restaurant. The view is great from the lodge terrace to Old Faithful… well we saw its eruption many times, so we hiked along the boardwalk to Morning Glory hot spring then back, touching many quiet or erupting geysers. After about a four miles walk, we drove back to Bridge bay and Gull Point, where Lexi photographed an osprey. We saw a large number of bird species and plants during this trip; we need to make lists from those. Drove to Lake Lodge, Bistro ate good dinner and downloaded files, charged batteries in the Lodge Lobby. When we came out from the lodge an interesting Space Ship-like cloud and unusual lightings appeared on the Eastside, where the Sun use to rise… but this time was 9 PM… Drove back to Bridge Bay camp, repaired my 8×10 camera level… and the storm hit us, with very strong wind and heavy rain. Lexi escaped to our strong tent. I wanted to load films, which I had to skip, and secured all camera gear into the car. About midnight, the storm passed and the wind cleared up the sky. The temperature dropped again, we slept well.
Day 10 (Sun)
We got rain again at dawn but stopped in the morning. Windy, cold morning about 3 oC temperature. Got up at 6 AM, quick set up, and left to secure a campsite in the Teton. Cloudy, stormy day, drove to West thumb than to Lewis Lake, where we got a heavy storm with bean size hail. The storm passed fast, only showering at Lewis Falls. Looked for moose at Lewis River willows, but we did not see any. Passed South Entrance and Flagg Ranch then drove south on FM 89 to Lizard Creek then to Colter Bay. Registered our campsite at F134, then looked around in Colter Bay Village. We were in the General store, when we got a heavy rain again, but passed about half an hour later. We checked visitor center exhibits, then drove to Jackson Lake Lake Lodge, looked around the after the rain view was very nice from there, but a few minutes later rained again. Ate a good lunch at the Lodge Grill, then drove to Moran Junction, then to Snake River overlook, Ansel Adams point, but the pine trees are so tall there we cannot see the nice curvature of the river. We were tired and slept about an hour in the car there. The rain was in and out, stopped, and started again… Drove to Teton Point, the view was outstanding. A large herd of bison slowly moved on the other side of the road. Continued to Schwabacher Landing, which is one of the best landscape and wildlife photography spots in the Tetons. When we arrived at the Snake River, the rain started again… but we waited a bit then hike to Beaver dam and farther. Under the protection of a pine tree and our umbrella, I exposed a few 8×10 sheets. The rain stopped and fog came in and out the unpredictable way, showing the mystery of the mountains. The rain started again and stopped for a few minutes, then rained again. When we drove back, the mountains showed their beauty, surrounded by clouds. Drove back to Yellowstone Bridge Bay camp, tomorrow we need to move our tent to Colter Bay camp. The high mountains around 9000 – 11000 feet, near Yellowstone Lake, have snowcaps. We are at 8000 feet; Colter Bay is at 6000 feet elevation. Colter Bay got snow today… mid-July. Arrived back at the camp around 10 PM, no farewell campfire for sure. The temperature is close to freezing.
Day 11 (Mon)
We got up at 6 AM, everything was wet and very cold. We got rain almost all night… and when we started to pack under the canopy, we got snow. Nice big snowflakes… what a day in mid-July! Lexi cooked our breakfast, drank hot tea, and slowly started to pack all of our gear. The snow changed to light rain and stopped. We were able to pack our stuff safely. We placed the wet tent and the canopy in large plastic bags. The sage rouse visited us again. We were ready to leave around 9 AM. Drove to Gull Point Drive, to West Thumb, then to Lewis Lake. We got snow again on the high pass and the temperature dropped to 3 oC. The rain started again. Lewis Falls was nice, took a few digital shots in the rain, and then drove to Tetons. We started to set up our camp at Colter Bay around 11 AM, ate good lunch at Colter Bay Bistro / Restaurant. Loaded 8×10 film to cassettes at the camp, then drove to Snake River, Schwabacher Landing. I photographed landscape for 8×10, Lexi photographed the ringed neck ducks and the beavers. The beavers collected small branches with leaves and carried them to their beaver tower food storage. We saw a moose cow, beavers, and a duck family with 5 ducklings. Drove back to Colter Bay Village and ate a good dinner at the Restaurant, downloaded digital captures, checked those, and checked a few e-mails. Lexi got a few good shots from beaver and ducks. We were tired when we arrived back at our camp, finished my daily journal then slept well in our tent.
Day 12 (Tue)
Got up around 6 AM, packed, organized our stuff, and drove to Jackson Lake dam, Chappel of the Sacred Heart then to Signal Mountain boat ramp area, where I took a few nice landscape images. Drove on Teton Park Road to Leigh and Stringer Lake trailhead/picnic area where we ate a good Lexi-made brunch. Walked around the nearby trails then drove to Jenny Lake Lodge, lookout then to South Jenny Lake Junction. There were too many people because the ferry boat to Inspiration point at the other side of Jenny Lake. Continued to Taggart Lake trailhead, and to Moose entrance. At the visitor center, the Craig Thomas Discovery is very nice. From Moose junction we drove back to Schwabacher Landing, hoping to see the moose, but no luck. Lexi focused on the beavers and ducks, I photographed for 4×5. This is a really beautiful area. Around 7 PM we packed and drove to Signal Mountain lodge Deadman Bar / Restaurant, where we ate a good dinner and drank a couple of good refreshing beers. When we arrived at Colter Bay camp, the thunderstorm with heavy rain just hit us. The storm passed by midnight and about 4 AM the sky was still stormy.
Day 13 (Wed)
Got up at 6 AM, quick setup and we were ready for the day exploring. The weather is still cold around 3 oC … I need a glove… The Sun is slowly coming, clear sky, only a few disappearing clouds. Drove to Jackson Lake junction, checked Cattleman’s bridge river access area, then Oxbow band turn out. That area is not closed, everywhere are no entry nature conservancy signs. Continued to a nice River access area at Moran junction, close to the park entrance. Drove to Schwabacher Landing, down to the River flood area. Lexi looked for wildlife; I tried to find good landscape spots. The moose did not come out, but ducks chased each other. I photographed three different settings for 4×5, Lexi got a nice Yellow warbler and diving ducks. Drove to Moose junction, then on the Park Road to North Jenny Lake Junction, then to String Lake picnic area, where we ate a peaceful brunch and enjoyed the magnificent landscape. The trails on the other side of the Lake are steep and for experienced hikers with trail guides especially if you want to climb high. Continued on inner Park Road to jenny Lake overlook and to other nice places. Drove to Moose Junction then back to Schwabacher Landing and around 6 PM to Cattleman Bridge area, but we did not see any wildlife there. For Farwell dinner, we went to Jackson Lake Lodge Restaurant. We got a fine dinner with fantastic Mountain View. Drove back to Colter Bay camp, Lexi started to organize and pack, I finish my journal. Last night at Tetons, we were happy there.
Day 14 (Thu)
Got up at 6 AM, started to pack, cleaned the tarp canopy and tent, packed neatly everything for a perfect fit into the roof box. When the camp was down Lexi made a good breakfast and slowly we were ready to leave. Well, we really did not want to leave, we wished for more time to spend in the wilderness. Finally, we left the camp, stopped at the Convenient Store, bought special Huckleberry candies and gifts for our colleagues. Lexi well packed those to the cooler, make sure those will survive the long hot travel back to Houston. Got diesel at Colter Bay then drove to Cattleman Bridge, Ansel Adams Point then to Schwabacher Landing then to Jackson. Visited Mangelsen Gallery then David Brookover Gallery. His gallery is very nice, loaded with fantastic b&w images. I wish to have a gallery-like his… Walked around the square, ate a late happy hour lunch then left Jackson around 5:30 PM. Drove to Pinedale on a nice road, ate good soup, and drank good beer at Wind River Brewing Company’s Pub. Stayed in a charming motel, enjoyed the cold night, open window sleeping.
Day15 (Fri)
Got up at 6 AM, shower and we were ready to go after breakfast. That was a long drive through Farson, Rock Springs, Green River Dam, Red Canyon, Vernal (UT), then Dinosaur (CO), Rangely, Grand Junction, Delta, Montrose, Ridgeway, and finally arrived in Ouray (CO) around 8 PM. Our Rivers edge charming old fashion lodge was very nice in Ouray. Petunias were everywhere, similarly to Vernal (UT), where we stopped for a lunch. Both sides of Nain Street were covered with huge blooming Petunia baskets. We took a nice walk in Ouray, then ate a good dinner at Outlaw Stake house, where we always stop when visiting this nice little town. We were tired after the long drive, slept well.
Day 16 (Sat)
Got up at 6 AM, showered, dress up, and at 7 AM good breakfast at the kitchenette/breakfast area of the lodge. Around 8 AM we were on the road again, drove on one of the most beautiful Million Dollar Highway from Ouray to Silverton. Walked around in Silverton then continued to Durango. I love the mountain roads; those are exciting and beautiful. Parked on the busy nearby streets and walked on the main street, window shopped, ate good burgers then drove to Pagosa Spring, to Chama, then all the way down to Santa Fe. When we were close to Santa Fe, the side of a storm hit us. Massive heavy clouds moved towards the Mountains and the majority of the fallout was probably at Taos. 7:30 PM we checked into our King’s Rest Motel, then drove to Downtown, which was very busy on this Saturday evening. The Pasquales was booked. Walked around finally ate at the Coyote Restaurant, which was elegant, pricey but the gourmet food was exquisite. Walked around the square, then drove back to the Motel. I wrote my journal, checked e-mails, made plans for tomorrow’s travel to Fort Stockton.
Day 17 (Sun)
Got up at 5:30, the window AC unit was noisy so we did not use it during the night… the room was warm, and we wished to have the cold weather at high altitudes in the Teton and Yellowstone. Colorado and New Mexico were really hot, over 40 oC. About 7 AM we left Santa Fe, drove to Clines Corners, looked around in the huge store, ate breakfast there., got gas and ice then drove on a very windy boring road across the plains to Carlsbad. Today is Sunday and most restaurants were closed, but we found a good family BBQ restaurant, where we got a good meal. Continued South to Pecos, the road was narrow and filled with speeding oil companies trucks in both directions. We were lucky to survive our three incidents there (rock hit the windshield, front of us blew up truck tires, a speeding oil truck pushed us off from the road) … however, we made it to Pecos, after that the traffic was mild to Fort Stockton, where we got a good motel room. We lost one hour and we were tired after this day; slept well.
Day 18 (Mon)
Today is our journey’s last day. Got up at 6:30 AM, left the Motel at 7:30, got diesel, and ate good breakfast tacos in a small Mexican Cantina. Drove to Ozona, Sonora, Junction, then to Fredericksburg. We were there about noon, ate a good lunch in a Family restaurant then walked on the street, went in and out of stores, breweries. Left Fredericksburg around 4 PM, drove to Austin to visit our kids, ate a good dinner with them. Chat a bit then left Austin at 10 PM, arrived home at 2 AM. I was tired, but because too many things happened we could not sleep. We were happy to be home again.
The End.