Well, today was a very bad day, but every cloud has a silver lining.
Short version: I lost my wallet in Yellowstone Park, and didn’t find it. I have no ID, no credit cards, no money. But my wife saved the day!
Long version:
I normally have really good wallet discipline. I keep it in a tightly-zipped top-tube bag, and I always put it back. But today, when I took it out to get out my debit card to pay for entrance to Yellowstone Park, I put it in my handlebar bag, which is very full. Of course, it was on top of everything, too.
Right after the park entrance, I pulled over to remove some clothing. I have a Click-Stand “kickstand,” and pulled it out of my handlebar bag. I am 80% certain this is when my wallet popped out, without my knowledge. MANY people stop here, so someone likely found it within minutes, or even seconds. The entrance is fifty feet away, and the ranger station is also.
Anyway, I continued my journey to the campground I decided to stay in: Lewis Lake. When I got there, I went for my wallet in the top-tube bag. It wasn’t there. I remembered putting in the handlebar bag, so I dug for it. Within seconds, I realized it wasn’t there, but I carefully removed everything just to be sure.
Now I was desperate. The only money I had was a $20 bill in my tool bag. This would pay for one campsite for one night. I felt like this would be the end of my journey – the end of my dream. I didn’t cry, but I wanted to.
I decided to retrace my steps and check every single spot I stopped at. This was pretty easy, because I only stopped at official turnouts, and there aren’t that many.
I raced back to the entrance, checking every single turnout, and also scanning the side of the road. When I got to the entrance, I checked that spot, and asked at both entrance booths and the ranger station. Of course, no luck.
On the way back to Lewis Lake, I checked a few trash cans, to see if someone had tossed it away after taking the cash. This wasn’t very fruitful, because they are all bear-proof.
The wallet was stuffed with cash, because I knew I was going to be camping at sites that don’t take credit cards, as well as churches and so on. By the time I got back to Lewis Lake, I knew my wallet was gone.
There is no cell phone service in this part of the park. None. But, thankfully, I decided to spring for a Garmin inReach Mini when I planned this trip. I started texting my wife as soon as I knew I’d lost it, and we exchanged messages for the rest of the day. I feel like this device has earned its keep!
My amazing wife, Susan, spent the day cancelling cards, and sending a new debit card to a motel in West Yellowstone, Montana. The owner of the motel agreed to let me pay her for the room Monday, when my new card arrives. She wouldn’t let me hug her, and she made me leave when my tears started coming. I couldn’t control myself, and just started sniffling, with tears streaming down my face. I love her!
I didn’t see much of Yellowstone Park, which is certainly karma, because my aforementioned wife has been asking me to bring her here for decades.
In fact, as I passed tourist spots, like Old Faithful, I muttered, “F**k you, Yellowstone Park! I hate you!” This frustration sustained me while I climbed the hills on my loaded bike on the way to the exit. Don’t worry, Yellowstone, I don’t hate you. 😁
Bottom line: I will probably be leaving Tuesday morning, and will continue my trip, a couple more days behind, but I can continue, thanks to my wife, Susan!
When I realized I wouldn’t have any way to buy food until Monday night, I cataloged my supplies (see the picture below!):
* 1 can of vegetarian chile I’ve been carrying so long I don’t remember when I bought it. I think it may have been in Kentucky!
* Some lemonade powder
* Six sweet rolls I bought last night (I ate two this morning)
* Two “emergency” dehydrated meals (it says two servings, but gimme a break)
* Four instant oatmeal packets
* A banana that endured a hot day squished in my pannier
* Thirteen “granola” bars.
I figured that would get me through Monday night, even though I burned almost 5,000 calories today.
But I talked to my eldest daughter, and she pointed out that my wife can order food to be delivered to me! Kids are so smart! 😁
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