Lewis and Clark Caverns

02 August 2008; 2030hrs Gardiner, Montana (USA)

I’m in my hotel room in Gardiner, the site of Yellowstone National Park’s north entrance. It’s not really a hotel, but more of a motel. In fact the name is ‘Westernaire Motel’. But that’s not what their website claimed. It seems a bit dangerous. There are many biker type people staying there and sitting outside their rooms. Good thing I’m stay for only one night.

Jarek drove me here. That was really nice of him. He knew I wanted to visit the Lewis and Clark Caverns and even volunteered to take me there in the morning! That’s a really nice Polish guy. I was just so lucky to have met him at the workshop. I did all I wanted to do in Bozeman and in Montana.

Let me tell you one thing. If you are ever in Montana, DO NOT EVER MISS THE CAVERNS! It is so cool! Both literally and figuratively. I liked it more than I did at Yellowstone. The drive up the mountain to the caverns notwithstanding, the entrance fee was only US$10, and it came inclusive of a guided tour. The tour began with a ¾ mile hike up to the caverns. I estimate the elevation gained to be about 500 to 600 metres. But since we were already up near the peak of the mountain, I think the actual elevation was much much higher. The air was thing and the climb because I wasn’t used to it was a bit tiring. Not to the point where I started to pant, but certainly to the point where I broke a sweat. We then went into the caverns and descended into its dark depths. So deep I believe we were near sea level. There was even a sign ‘1 mile high’ on one of the steps to indicate that that point was 1 mile above sea level.

The caverns were awesome! The limestone formations of stalagmites and stalactites looked so impressive. Tens and thousands of years of history right in front of me. The tour guide, Emily, with her corny jokes made the tour even more enjoyable. There was even a slide down into one of the rooms, but OUCH! The speed bump at the end of the slope wasn’t pleasant. I hit my tailbone and it’s still hurting after more than 6 hours. At the end of the trip, the guide did something really cool. She opened a door at the end of the corridor and let it swing back. Whoom….! The air within the corridor compressed and the sound echoed throughout the tunnel. The vibrations from the air and walls were felt so clearly. It was cool! An experience best felt not described!

It seems like souvenir plates are no longer in fashion. I can’t find them at most places now, so I bought a shot glass instead. It looks like I have to change my collection from plates to shot glasses now. I bought gold too! 24k gold. Real gold from Montana, which experienced a gold rush before. It was really nice to see those gold flakes in a bottle. I feel rich…

After the caverns, Jarek drove me to Gardiner and we went into Yellowstone again to see the places we missed the previous time, like the mammoth hot springs and grand canyon. Anyway, the entry ticket lasts for 7 days so we had already paid for it. But let me tell you, Yellowstone this time round was so boring. Boring with a capital B! I oohed and aahed about the beautiful scenery the first time, but there’s just so much mountain and river scenes one can take. Sensory overload, I tell you. Everything seemed to be repeated, to the point that I was bored. I’m afraid that my tour into Yellowstone tomorrow will be equally boring. It’s all up to the guide now. Only the guide can make it interesting and the place come to life for me by telling stories about the places.

This is the first time I’m watching TV in America. This motel offers 10 channels but perhas it’s because I haven’t been watching too much TV for the last few years now (nothing seems to be interesting), the best programme was a tennis match between Djokovic and Nadal. Oh well… this gives me reason to sleep early since I have to get to ‘Flying Pig’ (cool name!) by 0745hrs. I wonder how many people are on the tour.

I hope my ride back with Lisa will go without a hitch. I don’t want to be stuck in Gardiner. It’s too small a town. There are not very many things to do by myself. The next time I come to Yellowstone, if I get another chance, it must be with a group of friends! Go campling, hiking, rafting and all that. That would be so cool! Anyone up for it???

After the Yellowstone tour tomorrow…. Next up… Mount Rushmore!