Betty

The Best Laid Plans

Picture of a mouse
Photo by Alexas Fotos on Pexels.com

The best laid schemes of mice and men

Go often askew,

And leave us nothing but grief and pain,

For promised joy!

“To a Mouse” by Robert Burns (literacydevices.net)

These words ring as true today as they did back when written in 1786. If Robert Burns were alive today, perhaps he would have titled his poem, “To a Camper.” Or maybe even “To Betty and Dan.”

You may remember my post, “How to Get Reservations at a Popular Campground.” Perhaps you remember another quote, something to the effect that man makes plans and God laughs. But I don’t think anybody, God included, is laughing about what has happened in Yellowstone National park.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected. Believe me, I know having to rearrange travel plans is nothing compared to the upheaval and loss many have experienced. I am confident though, our National Park authorities will make wise decisions about the path forward.

Speaking of the path forward, our reservations for ten days at Fishing Bridge campground in Yellowstone beginning mid-August are quite uncertain at this point. However, we are not cancelling anything right now. We will just wait and see what happens.

This is likely a once in a lifetime trip for us. I mean it’s possible we would visit the area again, but at our age, there are many places we want to see. Time and money, as always, are the limiting factors, as is health.

A total guess (and I stress “total” and “guess”) is that the campground and the south area of the park will be open by mid-August (likely sooner), but the north area will remain closed for quite some time. If that is the case, I’d also guess, we would still go and see and do whatever we can. There are always more activities and things to see than time usually allows anyway.

This kind of reminds me of when we had plans to visit Gulf State Park. The first time, we postponed our plans because of Covid. While we still could have camped, everything else, including the beach, was closed. The second time, we drove around Mississippi in a great big circle, as we were trying to avoid Hurricane Sally. The state park was damaged and cancelled our reservations.

Perhaps I should contact places we plan to visit, give them our history, and see if they will pay us not to come. That’s a whole new twist on writing travel blogs for profit.

In any case, everything will work out one way or another.

Maybe we could come visit you?

51 comments

  2. Yellowstone sure has been inundated with the force of Mother Nature over the years. I remember when it was on fire in 1988. We had thick smoke all the way here and I remember that so much damage was done across the park. Despite the horror of them, fires are what mobilize natural reforestation, so one must consider that too in the scheme of things. I’m not sure about the value of flooding, but there’s no doubt a greater plan at work, as there always is. Hopefully the flooding won’t alter your plans, Betty. Paying you to not make plans to visit gave me my morning giggle today. It makes me wonder if we should extend an invitation. Would we have to pay you “not” to come in order to avoid natural disasters here?

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    • Terry, I know you are right about Mother Nature and the greater scheme of things. I have read some of the roads may not be rebuilt where they once were. Perhaps by studying “nature’s demands”, the national park authorities will design better systems. If our plans do get altered this year, we will try again in a year or two or three to visit Yellowstone. Given the price of gas, I don’t think you’ll have to worry about seeing ChambersontheRoad in your neck of the woods any time soon! I’m glad I gave you a giggle. Enjoy your day!

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      • It’s interesting that my planned post for today was also in a similar vein about Mother Nature, Betty. I decided to go with it anyways because I already had the photos ready and the thoughts at hand (need to use those thoughts as soon as they’re ready, lol) Many years ago, we drove through Yellowstone in the winter en route to somewhere else. What I remember most is that I’ve never seen higher snowbanks in my entire life, and we can get some big ones here in Saskatchewan. I really hope your trip works out for you for this year.

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        • Thank you, Terry. It does not surprise me that your thoughts ran along a similar vein. I agree – use the thoughts – i.e. the passion – when it is there. Looking forward to reading your post!

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  4. My parents visited Apache Junction, Az with their RV to see my brother. They loved that trip! There is an idea less on the beaten trail. They spoke of climbing the mountain road. It sounded very interesting.

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  5. Lovely post, Betty. We are also experiencing that “not enough time and money” issue, so we sympathize with you. Hopefully all will be well at the Fishing Bridge section of Yellowstone by August. I’ve heard they will be reopening parts of the park in the next day or so. I don’t think you’re a disaster waiting to happen, nor are you causing one. Your sense of humor is delightful – love when people who are handed a bunch of lemons can make the most delicious lemonade. Have an uneventful and peaceful weekend!

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  6. It’s a long time until August, especially for “every-day-is-an-adventure” folks like you and Dan. Frankly, I enjoy reading about all your adventures Betty—because you tell such good stories! You could camp in a Walmart parking lot and have something worthwhile to say about it.😀

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    • David, you are very kind. I bet there would be some interesting stories coming from a Walmart camping night, but you won’t find that on ChambersontheRoad – or perhaps I should say, that’s not in our plans! Enjoy your weekend!

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    • I can think of so many things that I appreciated so much more as I grew older. And sometimes, children grow up, think back – and then they appreciate. Thank you for your comment, and enjoy your day!

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  9. It’s always something, and it’s always what we do with that something that makes the difference. You put it all together in the Betty System, and we obviously love it…and you! Keep ’em coming as you keep going. Hope you have a lovely fin de semana, as I am sure you will!

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    • I appreciate your very kind words. It’s all about where we focus – as you know. One of the outcomes of us driving around Mississippi was discovering some places we really loved. Corinth was so interesting, and the Wallace Creek campground in Pope is one of my favorites. Just so peaceful. Our weekend has a bit of a break from the hot, hot, hot, so that alone makes it so nice. I hope you have a nice weekend, too!

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  10. I hope you can make the trip to Yellowstone. I totally get the age and health issue. My husband and I have traveled every summer since I retired. Then Covid came and we had a couple of years stuck at home. Now we feel ready to travel again – but age and health is limiting the distance we can travel. Thankfully we live in a beautiful state where we are only 2-3 hours away from Lake Michigan so we can still get away for awhile. But, traveling too far from home is no longer possible. But I am thankful for all the trips we have been able to make.

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    • I think it is important to look at what we can do – rather than what we cannot. If I could only visit one state for the rest of my life – it would be Michigan. Especially in the summer! Thank you for your comment.

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    • Thank you. I am hoping, too. I appreciate that you said you are looking forward to my posts. If not this year, then hopefully sometime. Have a good day!

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    • Thank you! We do have reservations for 4 nights at GTNP. We are debating about bringing our bikes though. Since we have to store them in our TT, we’re not sure it’s worth the effort. We think the only place where we’d be riding them during the almost month long trip would be when we are at GTNP. Thoughts? I agree waiting is hard! Enjoy your Sunday, and Happy Father’s Day to your husband!

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      • My husband is an avid biker 🚴‍♀️, I explained your situation to him and he feels that if you’re at Grand Tetons your going to wish you had your bikes. Given my impression of how much you enjoy riding, I’d lean towards taking the bikes with you. Although, I also like to make things as easy on myself as possible, so I can certainly see the case for not bringing them. How much do you like biking?

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        • Thank you for talking about our dilemma with your husband! We do like biking a lot. From what I’ve heard about the Grand Tetons area, I’d be your husband is right, and we will wish we had our bikes. Still deciding….

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  17. Haha. That last line made me laugh.

    Love that you are open minded and willing to drive around hurricanes or look ahead to what may be open/available. Hopefully, you’ll get to go on your trip. I’ve never been there, it’d be fun to see some pictures of it, if you share any. Happy Father’s Day to your Dan. We are celebrating my husband today by maybe going fishing and definitely pool side. Hope you have a great Sunday!

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  19. Oh dear. When I first saw the photo of the mouse, my mind immediately went to a recent video we watched of Marianne and Chris Fisher’s “Tread the Globe,” where a mouse got into their camper van! I’m glad you were only using the mouse for your allegorical needs. 🙂 I hope you’ll be able to still get to Yosemite in August. A lot can change between now and then, even if it means you have to alter some of your original plans. – Marty

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    • Oh yes – a mouse in the camper is every camper’s nightmare. I spray to keep them away, and then I put mouse poison in the camper. I believe we will be able to go to Yellowstone, but, of course, our plans will have to change. That’s okay. Isn’t that life? Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

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  20. Yes, we just have to plan for the unexpected and then go with whatever comes! You’ve got the right idea and summed it up very well. It is so sad about Yellowstone, the videos are just unbelievable.

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    • Yes, it is very sad. We had a situation in MO where a reservoir broke and a state park and campground were destroyed. Fortunately, no one died; it wasn’t camping season. It took several years, but everything was rebuilt with much thought. We’ve camped since, and we loved it. It is sad, but this is an opportunity to rebuild in a smarter way. I believe we’ll get to go, and we will see what we can.

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  22. I thought about you when this happened because I remember a blog where you were excited you had gotten reservations there. It sounds like things are opening up slowly on the south side, anyway. You should be able to see Old Faithful! I’ll look forward to your blogs about this trip!

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    • Thank you. It does sound like we will be able to go; we just won’t get to see the north area. We will make the best of it,and I think it will still be great. Here’s hoping!

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  23. You have been on my mind ever since I heard the news about Yellowstone. From what I heard yesterday things are going to work out just fine for you. In fact, it may end up being a great time to be there due to reduced crowds. The lower loop will be opening soon giving access to Geyser Basin including Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic. Canyon Village and Norris will open. The east, west and south entrances will open allowing you to easily go to West Yellowstone and Grand Teton. Fishing Bridge Campground is one that will reopen. You will have so much to see and do it will keep you very busy. You are going to have a great time. Here is a YouTube video that may help. https://youtu.be/DSOmPnp1VB4

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    • Thank you! Yes, we have been following the news very closely. It does seem we will be able to go! Thanks for the video, too. I went through so much research, planning and the actual making of all the reservations (getting up at 1 am), I had told Dan, I just don’t know if I can do all that again (if the trip got cancelled.) Fortunately, I don’t have to! Also, we don’t go until August, so they will have a couple months to work out any “bugs.” Thanks for thinking of us, and I appreciate your insightful and encouraging comment!

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