Day 8, morning, Keyhole State Park, WY..

I decided to get to bed — i mean sleeping bag and ground— early (9pm) but the incessant rumble of distant thunder and continuous flashes of lightning (hardly a second between flashes) continued for hours, then the heavy rain came. Only twice did the thunder crack over our heads. Finally, i called on some earplugs and St. Ambien to help me get some sleep, and i did, for a few hours anyway. The chaos outside continued on and off throughout the night, and we woke to a light drizzle. Unless the rain stops, it'll be breakfast on the road as we head toward Buffalo.

I am getting second thoughts about Yellowstone as we get closer. Had i left on September 3 as i had planned, or even 10, things would have worked out perfectly. i am trying to figure out whether i am still intending to pay a visit simply because i planned to or want to. The essential facts have changed, and now i need to figure out if my plans should.

Ed and Donner, from the road