Gardiner Wyoming

Had an amazing dinner at a new restaurant (six weeks old), the Iron Horse Bar and Grill. An Ahi Tuna steak, seared and presented with fresh wasabi and a wonderful dipping sauce. Was talking with someone who had lived there for 14 years and she mentioned that the town was supposed to be called Gardner but a typo by an illiterate trapper -- a Mr. Johnson Gardner -- caused the town to have the 'I' while the nearby Gardner River does not. Jackson Hole was fun but very much overpriced and the town center is now populated by big-money venues -- Louis Vuitton and such cheap crap. Gardiner will be there in another 20 years but I do love it the way it is now -- this is America, not J.H. Looking forward to getting home and exploring all that I learned at the blacksmithing conference -- I got to learn about a new steel that seems to be incredible for knifemaking, how to anneal and temper metals not by rote but with an understanding of what is exactly going on in the crystalline structure. My relationship with Lulu has gotten deeper and deeper (I will be posting THAT story in about three weeks) and despite the hassles and expenses of the truck malfunction, it has been a wonderful wonderful trip. Seen lots of critters, now we just need to see a bear or two to get the list complete. Up early to go through Mammoth Hot Springs as well as look at the hotel and museum before the tourons wake up. On the road home.