Great MisAdventures Summer 2011

Yellowstone National Park ~ Riddle Lake

August 5, 2011

Today's MisAdventure brings us high atop the Continental Divide on a mostly level hike to Riddle Lake. This small lake is located about three miles south of the West Thumb bay of Yellowstone Lake. This area of the Park has been closed to people so the many Yellowstone Bears could fish in peace. Once again, hoping to see moose.

Rudolph Hering of the Hayden Survey named Riddle Lake in 1872. Frank Bradley of the Survey wrote:
"Lake Riddle" is a fugitive name, which has been located at several places, but nowhere permanently. It is supposed to have been used originally to designate the mythical lake, among the mountains, whence, according to the hunters, water flowed to both oceans. I have agreed to Mr. Hering's proposal to attach the name to the lake, which is directly upon the [Continental] divide at a point where the waters of the two oceans start so nearly together, and thus to solve the insolvable "riddle" of the "two-ocean water".

This "insolvable riddle" of the "mythical lake among the mountains" where water flowed to both oceans probably originated from (or at least was fueled by) "Lake Biddle," which appeared on the Lewis and Clark map of 1806 (named after their editor, Nicholas Biddle). The lake then appeared on the Samuel Lewis version of the map in 1814 as "Lake Riddle." Riddle Lake is not "directly on the divide"; it drains to the Atlantic Ocean by way of its outlet, Solution Creek, which flows to Yellowstone Lake. The riddle is now solved, the name was the result of a mapping error combined with fur trapper stories of two-ocean water.

Lush open meadows, some covered in wildflowers, some wet marshes with tall grasses and lillypads greet us on a fine morning. This hike turned into a 7 mile journey on top of the world, great healing for the mind and soul.

Mooseless once again!

Some of the Animals Seen On Today's Hike

Yellowstone Rod Run & Smoking Waters Mountain Man Rendezvous

August 6, 2011

Now in its 41st year, the Yellowstone Rod Run annually draws five to seven hundred street rods from all over the United States. David only today on this MisAdventure attending the Show & Shine in City Park and the Mountain Man Rendezvous just west of West Yellowstone.

Looking at the beautiful iron and chatting with the owners brought back memories from the Model A days with my family growing up. Car shows were a normal part of our life.

Some of my favorite vehicles are pictured below. The Olds 88 stayed at our park and it was really primo. I am a sucker for panel trucks, convertibles are cool as well. The chopped Model A coupe is powered with a hugh Lincoln, making this a true 'Hot Rod Lincoln".

Mountain Man ~ C. Michael French Originals

The advertisements say:
"Step into the experience of 1800's life at the Smoking Water Mountain Man Rendezvous."
Close but no cigar.

The encampment attempts to bring back the past and how the mountain men lived. Funny though, sure was a lot of RV's and campers parked in the woods. There’s a Trader’s Row set up just like the old days, and all vendors wear period costumes to add to the atmosphere.

The tented shops around the camp were full of the goods that fur trappers from the early 1800's wanted and needed. Looking at the goods fires the imagination of what it must have been like to live in that era.

     The traders were all talented and skilled at their trade. Tents full of hand sewn clothing and other needed possibles for wilderness living. Pelts and bones of every animal common to the Rocky Mountains. Odors of burning sage and open fires delight the nasal passages. Friendly talk with as close to the real thing genuine fur trappers and era traders.

     Just think of the 'life as it was skills' one would quickly learn, or become bear food. It gives a deeper appreciation of the challenges and dangers that were faced and overcome.

     In respect for my family and friends who might be offended with pictures of dead animals, I have limited my pictures. Believe me when I say this was true art.

     A true Mountain Man also has a need for an accurate weather station. The picture on the left is the deluxe model, with directions for use. One can't be without some luxuries.