Postcards sent by us - Yellowstone, - 23.9.1970

Old Faithful Geyser.  Yellowstone National Park.
Most celebrated geyser in the world.  Discovered and named in 1870, it erupts 150 feet high at intervals averaging about 63 minutes.

To:- The Griffiths, Dominion Circuit, Deakin. A.C.T. Australia.

We saw him spout at 1:20pm today.  Dave says there are better ones in N.Z.

We saw two bears today, they stood up and looked in the windows and we threw them a few cookies and took lots of photos.

Love D & P.J.

U.S.A. - Yellowstone Park, Wyoming. September 1970

Very friendly Grizzly Bears in Yellowstone Park.

 I was horrified to read in our notes that we fed them 'cookies'... they couldn't have been good for them could they!

... but look at those eyes... how could you refuse  :-)

 Mammoth Springs, North end of Yellowstone.

 Norm and Sandy getting some classic footage - writes David!

Gibson Falls, Yellowstone.

 Waiting for 'Old Faithful' to erupt.

 Starting...

... coming up...

... there he blows!

From Virgina City to Yellowstone Park.

Postcards sent by us - Virginia City, Montana. USA - 22.9.1970

Wells Fargo Express Office.
In 1863, Virginia City, Montana.
22nd September 1970

To:- Miss J. Griffiths, Dominion Circuit, Deakin. A.C.T. 2600

Dear Julia,

     They have fascinating Museums here, all about the old days.  We have our booking, see you on November 13th.

     Love, Dave & Pennie

U.S.A. - Nevada City, Montana - September 1970

Check out Nevada City, only 1 mile downstream from Virginia City  Nevada City.

 Montana.

 The Old Amusement Arcade in Nevada City with Nickelodeons, Jukeboxes and a Wurlitzer.

 Railway rolling stock collection in Nevada City, Montana.

 Shaft-drive 3 cylinder Steam Loco, build by Lima, 1917.

Postcards sent by us - Boot Hill, Montana. USA - 22.9.1970

Boot Hill, Historic Virginia City, Montana.
Five of the 'Road Agents' hanged, Clubfoot George Land, Hayes Lyons, Jack Gallagher, Boone Helm and Frank Parish, were buried in Virginia City's old cemetery now known as Boot Hill.

To:-  Mr N.A.Rodd, Crescent Road, Newport. N.S.W. 2106. Australia

Virginia City, 22nd September 1970.

See Nick, Boot Hill really does exist!

Love Dave and Pennie XX

U.S.A. - Virginia City, Montana - September 1970

Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park campsite.

 Pennie checking out Sandy and Norman's tent.

Anaconda copper mine, Butte.

 Earthquake Lake... and below from Google.

  Click to see more of Virginia City, Montana.

 

 Same spot today from Google Maps.

 These were the first real 'Boardwalks' we'd seen.

 Original old house in Virginia City.

 Virginia City Museum and below from Google Maps.

Postcards sent by us - Banff, Alberta. Canada - 21.9.1970

Upper Hot Springs Pool, Banff National Park, Alberta. Canada.  Warm sulphur water bathing, as well as plunges and steam baths are available here throughout the year. Located on Sulphur Mountain, these springs  were the initial reason for creating the National Park, and these facilities are operated year round.

To:  The Rodds, Crescent Road, Newport. N.S.W. 2106.  Australia

Hello All,

     We've just spent the majority of yesterday in the above, fabulous, just like the ones in N.Z., even the smell.

     We have another Australian couple with us.  Works out fine, we cut costs, we sleep in the car, they in borrowed tent.

     Old Falcon going extra well, covered 2,500 miles so far.  Re-enter U.S. Tomorrow into Montana, then Idaho, Utah, Nevada etc.

     Got a 'Himalaya' booking!!  See you on November 13th.  Love P & D

Canada - Calgary-Lethbridge - September 1970

 What a thrill!  The Galgary Stampede Ground with the Calgary Centennials in a training session.  Gosh! we were experiencing so many things that we'd heard about from the USA but never seen of course. 

 Here is Jack Nelson at the Japanese Gardens in Lethbridge.  Jack was the son of one of Virginia's friends from the Hospital in Carmel, they were both volunteers and of course Virginia was on a mission to find young people for us to meet.  We saw a fair bit of Jack while he was in Carmel so it was lovely to see him once again.  Sadly not long after we got home to Australia Jack committed suicide.  So sad, he was such a nice bloke, we have no idea why he did this.

 Prairee, Alberta

This is the Alberta-Montana Border Station.  I remember it well, I also remember the lovely old chap who checked our Passports.   He said, 'Austraaaalia?'  'Where is Austraaaalia?'    In the Pacific Ocean we replied, next to New Zealand.  'OOohh Yes I know, that's the country that has those Droots!'  Droots?? Droots?  we had no idea what he was saying....  eventually it clicked.  He meant Droughts!  LOL  Well at least he didn't think we came from Austria! 

Now this is the same spot today from Google...  it's enormous and I spent a lot of time thinking we must have come back into the USA at a different entry point but... no...  It is 40 years ago I guess, little towns grow.

Back in the USA...

From Banff, Canada... to the US border.