Laundry day

Since I am staying in a camping area that has no showers, electric or cell/WiFi, I kinda have to make a trek every once in a while to get a good hot shower and wash my clothing. Again a very helpful ranger clued me in that if I went down to the the old faithful inn and used the secret code word (please) they would provide me access to an available shower area for the sum of $4.25 and a dollar extra if I wanted a towel. Sounded like a deal to me since the effects of three days or so of “baby wipe baths” was starting to wear a little thin, I thought it would be a good opportunity. She also informed me that they had a coin laundry somewhere near by that was open to campers in the park. Bravo! Double score! So off I went to the old faithful site which was about a slow 16 mile drive from where I was camped. Upon arrival I made my way to the front desk (looking like a very dirty prospector) laundry back touted on my shoulder. Now keep in mind the Old Faithful Inn is a quite posh hotel outfitted to give people that wilderness rustic charm visitors seek, without actually experiencing it, I understand the rooms started at $450 a night. So anyway… I explained that I was told I could get a shower here. I’m not sure whether it was my appearance or the ripe pungent perfume a few days in the wilderness creates, but she rang a bell and had an employee show me to the shower facilities on the second floor. I decided to look past the possibility of observation or judgement on the clerks part and followed the bell hop upstairs feeling like a high roller at the Borgata who had just learned the penthouse suite.

I spent the better part of the day showering and doing laundry. I had a fine time in the small laundry room helping an elderly couple from Germany figure out and navigate getting change and operating the machines. The man insisted on powdered detergent and the only thing available was liquid soap. After a moment or two of explaining (through some charade technique and the best Stalag 13 accent I could replicate) I finally gave him the “I give up” shrug and went on to fold my clothes. Ah the life of a nomad, never a dull moment!