Evening star., 1932-07-31
TRIP
HELD DELIGHTFUL
Motor Journey to Park From
Washington Is De-
scribed.
BY A GOVERNMENT CLERK.

pay a visit to Washington. In like
manner, every Washingtonian should
desire to see more of his own country,
especially the national PARIS of the
West.
So it was with some trepidation and
misgivings my wife finally consented
to motor to Yellowstone National Park,
in Western Wyoming. Literature from
the National Parks Commission ana
the maps of the American Automobile
Association were consulted months in
advance. theoretically. we knew ev-
cry mile of the way, but circumstances
frequently made it desirable to deviate
from the route selected
Cabins Predominate.
In the East tourist homes abound,
but west of the Ohio River cabins to
large degree predominate. These
cabins usually contain a double bed,
mattress. table, chairs, gas stove for
cooking, and kitchen sink. Bed linen
usually is not furnished, and the tour
ist should carry blankets and bed linen.
However. these essentials can be rented
| If desired. Cabins usually rent for
90 to Sl.50 per night and accommo-
cate two persons. One night we paid
/ $500, but this had private toilet and
shower bath. Nowhere on the entire
! trip did we find any cabin that was
not scrupulouSly clean Usually meals
can be secured at these places If you
do not do your own cooking.
Our route to Yellowstone Park was
selected and the routing approved by
the American Automobile Association.
Leaving Washington by way OF Rock
vile. Frederick. Hagerstown, Green
castle and Mercersburg, the Lincoln
Highway was reached at McConnells-
burg, Pa. This route was followed to
Fort Wayne, Ind, where connection
was made with route "a and later with
"a, now known as the Harding Way
Crossing Indiana, Illinois. and Iowa
the Mississippi River was crossed at
Burlington. and the Missouri River at
Omaha. This is a stretch Of paved
FFoadWay Fos. . for about I,1oo miles and
Leaving Omaha the character OF the
road changes. Paved roads give way
to gravel and crushed stone, the latter
sometimes being quite rough, as there
is no binding material used and the
stone shifts about considerably. There
is also some oiled gravel In Western
Nebraska and Wyoming. Still follow
ing the Lincoln Highway our route
leads through Fremont, Grand Island
Kearney. and North Platte, where we
spent one night at the ranch house OF
Buffalo Bill. From Ogallala, Nebr.
route 26 was followed to Casper. Wyo,
and thence route 20 to Shoshoni, Wor-
land. Greybull. and Cody. This por-
tion of the trip was the most trying OF
deSolate country where mo one lives
and the dogs bark at strangers" AS
the roads are mostly crushed stone
with some oiled gravel and pretty
rough, it is advisable to carry about 5
pounds less pressure in the tires
Houses are many miles apart, and
there is little of interest. However
the roads in manv places are borderec
with brieht-colored flowers, growing
among the rocks and lava-like soil
Many highly cclored birds are seen
Ground squirrels in countless numbers
scurry across the road. and an occa-
sional woodchuck Is seen. Aside from
the flowers sagebrush Is about the
onlv veqet3tiou seen
Nearing Cody. glimpse of the Big
Horn Mountains is obtained. with theil
sncw-capped peaks glistening in the
sun.
Leaving Cody, the famous Cody road
is encountered. 1t is worth a trip across
the country to see this famous piece Of
engineering skill. This road is literally
carved out of the edge CT the cliff anc
there is but this narrow roadway be.
tween the cliff ard the Shoshoni River
which tumbles down a steep declivity
over the rocks Of the canyon. Here is
also located the Shoshcni Dam, which
supplies electric power and furnishes
irrigation water for many thousand
acres of farm land.
Eastern Entrance.
The eastern entrance to Yellowstone
Park is soon reached, where fee of So
is exacted fer the use Of the park roads
Entering the park, the heights of Sylvan
Pass are reached at an altitude of $3.50
feet. On June %, when we arrived, the
road was clear. but STOW was banked
on the side to the height of our ma
chine. From Teton Point a splendid
view of the Teton Mountains is cb-
tanned, the snow-capped peaks glisten-
ing in the sun at a distance of so miles.
After a drive of IS miles within the
park we arrive at Yellowstone Lake,
which is our first stopping place. From
Washington to this point we have trav-
e,ed 1900 miles in ~ days.
Yellowstone Park is for the benefit of
the people end they are free to use it as
they see fit, with certain restrictions.
If you carry your own tent and camp
ing equipment, there are designated
camp sites for use without cost II
you desire, cabins can be rented for 81
per day, and you can rent bedding,
cooking utensils, ETC.. at ncminal prices,
or you may take your meals at cafeterias
located at all of the camp sites. If you
do not cesire any of these, the Lodge
Way is perhaps the most satisfactory.
A cabin is furnished as complete as
| 81 L. tal> ~,
the public dining room. The cost of
this service is $3.50 per day per person,
or $40 for the trip Of four and one-half
days, which Is the minimum time one
should spend in the park.
The entire cost Of the trip from Wash
ington to Yellowstone Park including
all expenses in the park by the Lodge
Way, was $106 for two persons. This
sum, less the $43 paid in the park,
would bring ycu back to Washington If
you returned direct. However, we
elected to return by way of Salt Lake
City. Denver, Oklahoma City and st.
Louis, then east over the National
trails.
Driving in the West is more difficult
owing to the brightness of the sun and
the clearness of the atmosphere Dark
glasses are essential, but an inside ad-
Unstable visor is also of great usefulness.
If practicable, there should be two
drivers on such trip.
BY all means, one should plan to visit
Yellowstone Park some time. The
things to be seen are all described in
the folders which may be obtained from
the railroads and from the National
Parks Commission, Department Of the
Interior, Washington, D. C. If you have
plenty Of time, numerous other national