We’ve been able to take vacation trips pretty regularly since about 2000. Over the years, we’ve collected various sayings that have stuck with us and have entered the lexicon of our everyday lives. Since we’re about to embark on another trip out west in a few days, I thought it would be good to rehearse some of these sayings.

“Lock the car.”

The Beartooth Highway in Wyoming and Montana is one of America’s great drives. From west to east, the Highway begins at the northeast exit of Yellowstone National Park (@7,300 feet), ascends toward Beartooth Pass at nearly 11,000 feet above sea level, before descending to the town of Red Lodge, Montana, 68 miles in total. Switchbacks abound. As you begin, U.S. Highway 212 (its official designation) dips briefly into Montana at the towns of Silver Gate and Cooke City. It then turns back into Wyoming before making the serious climb to the Pass. Although it is a well-paved and maintained road complete with guardrails, it is a close-to-the-edge drive. Many people find it a harrowing, grip-the-dash experience. Others find it exhilarating. Count us in the second group.

We first drove the BTH in 2019, and looking back, it was a rushed experience. Oh, for sure, we stopped at several pullouts, including the Pass itself. Took some pictures. But we didn’t really slow down and…savor. So, when we returned to WY/MT in 2020, we wanted to truly take it in.

As we were ascending toward the Pass, right at the first of the many switchbacks the road takes, Carolyn says, “Pull over.” That in itself is surprising, like when she actually has a preference for what restaurant she wants to go to. She generally acquiesces to whatever I plan or do, but to hear her express herself in this manner was a minor shock.

I pull over into a small pull-out and immediately see what caught her eye. A tiny lake, one of thousands in the area. Had she not pointed it out, I would have missed it.

As I was gathering my things, she said the words that from thenceforth became part of our travel lexicon.

“Lock the Car.”

Next thing I know, she’s gone walkabout. Not waiting for me, she headed down the road and onto a short path that led down to the shore. It is a small reservoir, at times broken into two parts, depending on the water level. It has crystal-clear water, as most of the alpine waters in this area. Not much in the way of wildlife. Peaceful as can be.

We walked the perimeter and explored into the surrounding area for awhile. In 2021, we went back and bushwhacked deeper into the area and had lunch. We returned again in 2023. And it will be our first excursion when we return next week.

I’ve looked it up on several maps, but it apparently has no name. So we’ve dubbed it “Loc-the-Car.”

Sometimes, the best parts of travel are the little surprises tucked in between the planned, “Named” sights. Old Faithful. El Capitan. Be open to them. Be spontaneous and stop. Lock the car. Go walkabout.

Next: “What kind of fool…?”