6.25.01

11 p.m. Madison campground Yellowstone Park Car camping is a trip! Pulled in here just before the ground closed to find the place packed spot to spot with trailers, campers, RVs what-have-you all lit up with lawn chairs under awnings and camp fires churning out smoke I couldn't see but only smell. And people galore. Tromping up and down the pavement waving flashlights like something important was lost and clanking around the bathroom, the dumpster, etc. Haul everything out of the car and into the tent except for the food so the bears don't get at it. In the morning, haul it all back and fold up the tent. Then you can go. Easy. Plumbing just a few feet away for quick, effective clean up. Lit too. Trash cans. I'm getting rid of two-day-old bagels and bags that used to hold ice. I am sitting in the tent in my sleeping bag with the laptop on my lap. And get this: I've got my clothes bag and my pillow (can bring pillows when you car camp) stacked against the back wall and I'm leaning—no, reclining-into it. It's quite comfortable. The candlelantern illuminates the hard-to-find-in-the-dark keys on the keyboard. Only an electrical socket is missing. But I am sure one is nearby. No matter, I can recharge this thing in the car's power port tomorrow. Woo!

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