Yellowstone - old faithful area

Today we planned to do the southern loop of Yellowstone. We were starting with the Old Faithful area and moving up through the different geyser basins. Then, on to Norris Junction and east to Canyon Village, and back to our home base at Fishing Bridge. 

On our way to Old Faithful, I suddenly got a text message. So we need to make a technical stop to use the cell signal and get caught up on voicemails and emails. The kids enjoyed the stop because they ran down to the lake to skip rocks, float boats, and collect obsidian. Ky even took off her shoes and waded into the freezing cold Yellowstone Lake. They said, "It's just like grandpa's pool."

We got emails taken care of but still did not have enough signal to post any pictures online. From there we went over the continental divide and the kids found snow to play in at that summit.

Old Faithful was our next stop and we got there just in time. The geyser was scheduled to go off about five minutes after we got there, so we watched that first and then explored the other geysers on the boardwalk. 

Another geyser, Daisy, was supposed to be erupting shortly afterward. We rushed over so we wouldn't miss it, but then we sat for almost 2 hours waiting for Daisy. You just can't count on her like you can Old Faithful. (:

Another geyser, Daisy, was supposed to be erupting shortly afterward. We rushed over so we wouldn't miss it, but then we sat for almost 2 hours waiting for Daisy. You just can't count on her like you can Old Faithful. (:

Yellowstone - fishing bridge & lake village

We got checked in at our campsite and got the trailer unhitched (for the first time since we bought it!) We let the kids play in the woods and made some lunch. We made some plans for tackling the park over the next couple days. 

He snowman built with a cup noodles cup (something we introduced our children to on this trip that they promptly asked if they could eat every day!)

And the snowman admiring our trailer.

Finally, we headed out to Lake Village. We visited the general store (where a cheap loaf of bread is $6) and the original Yellowstone hotel. It happens that the hotel just celebrated its 125th birthday! It is so elegantly decorated with historic charm but modern and comfortable amenities. Amazingly, the hotel had a little library! I was so excited I had my photo taken there AND, of course, I checked out a couple books! One is a field guide of plants and animals of this area. The other was 52 nature activities for kids. I was suffering from library-withdrawals, so this was perfect. (:

With no cell service, it's tempting to use this relic (phone booth). Ky was "stuck": "Mom! I can't get out!" So funny. 

Old-school tour bus we found by the post office in Lake Village. 

Saw a bison about 10'from our car! Took video because it was rolling then got up to walk around. So neat to watch. If I'm ever savvy enough to add video, you may see it. 

We decided that we would dine in the local "restaurant" at Fishing Bridge, where we were staying. Typically, we've been eating in, but we were a little low on dinner-ish supplies and food was so expensive at the store that the restaurant prices were (comparatively) very reasonable! So we headed back over and found that the restaurant  was more like a diner with stools at a bar. There were only 26 spots and we needed 6 of them! But it worked out and we had a lovely dinner. 

After dinner we came back "home" and let the kids continue their fort in the woods. It turned out great. They built a strong structure that even Scott and I could stand in!

We got bundled up and headed to the evening ranger program. It was advertised in our campground as "9:30 at the amphitheater" and there was a sign the pointed in the direction of said amphitheater. We gave ourselves 10 minutes to walk there and 25 minutes later, we arrived. It was so much further than we thought! But we enjoyed hearing the talk about who the national park service is and the scope and goals of their "protection" of national places. Funny side note: on the way home, we passed the bathrooms we would never have passed had we not walked to the talk to find signs on the doors that said, "Please do not let your children build structures in the forest".  Oops! We'll have to de-construct tomorrow! Right now it's 11pm and for out park plans to work we have to be up and around by 8 tomorrow - super challenging for Grubbs! 

Yellowstone - west thumb

This morning we got up early, so that we could get to Yellowstone early, so that we can get a first come first serve spot early. When we entered Yellowstone, we were hilarious! The ranger was calmly handing papers to us through the car window and we were all 6 swatting toward the windows trying to keep the mosquitos out. It was a funny moment - us all freaking out while the ranger calmly waited for us to take his brochures. 

Where I found Ky outside visitor center!

Once we were in, we stopped at the first visitor center to inquire about camping. There's only one campground with full hookups in Yellowstone and I could try to get a spot by calling. If I didn't get one, another 3 campgrounds were already full for the night - so we knew where not to go. And we knew we should start moving. Well somehow it was the only 5 minutes of the entire day that I had cell service - thank you, Lord. And even though the ranger couldn't give me a phone number, google got me to the right number. I called and got the last available spot. (: hooray!

The Abyss

Now on to the fun...

We visited the south eastern parts of the park today. We visited the west basin (not sure why it's called "west"), we saw our first geysers and thermal pools. We were introduced to the idea of all the geo-thermal activity in the region at a ranger presentation.

Old photo (above) and present day (below)

This was a "fishing hole" spot in the early 1900s. There was a dock built around it and men would fish in the lake off the dock, then reel in he fish and dip them in the thermal pool to immediately cook them! Fast forward to now: too dangerous. (Apparently one man really was killed when it geysered so that's probably a good call.)

The Crossing

We headed north out of the park towards Yellowstone. We were planning to camp between Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks.  We stopped at the last campground before entering Yellowstone to ask about availability for camping in the park. Nothing was available in Yellowstone, but I asked about local free options and was given a few. All three options would require crossing a stream (!?!), but after being assured that small passenger cars had made it, we were willing to go look. 

We took the turn onto a narrow dirt road for Sheffield Campground. I was already so amazed we were attempting to take the trailer (because of its width and height) along this path that I was taking photos. Little did I know what was ahead!

This is what we saw. 

I waded across because it already seemed risky, and would totally not be worth it if none of the 6 campsites on the other side were available! Water was up to my knees and rushing rapidly. Step by step I made it across, checking the road for the trailer the whole way. Then I ran up a little hill and around a bend to find only one spot taken. So...

We pressed on. A motor home had followed us into the area and were eager to see if we'd make it across before they tried so he wife took photos of us crossing. (:

Once across, and feeling quite accomplished, we set up camp for the night - our first time in the wild. We learned to level the trailer after using our backing in skills that we had honed this morning in the church parking lot. So, now we have leveling skills too!

Once set up for the evening, we collected wood, built a fire and cooked up some hot dogs and baked beans for dinner. While hanging around the fire we saw 2 deer come by only across the road from us!

They're really small in the photo. 

The sun sets super late because were farther north and were almost to the summer solstice.  Consequently, 10 PM comes upon us very quickly and we think it's seven or eight, but we're exhausted like it's 10, so it's time for bed. Looking forward to waking up in the morning and heading into Yellowstone!

Grand Teton National Park 6/3

We woke up after our first night in the trailer in Jackson, Wyoming. Since we had stayed on the edge of the city, we headed to a local church parking lot to practice backing and turning the trailer and to solidify the hand motions and instructions that both Scott and I could understand.

Since we were going to store next few days, we loaded up on groceries and gas in Jackson and then headed out to grand Teton national Park.

While we were in grand Teton national Park we first stopped in moose, Wyoming at the visitor center and got acquainted with all of the opportunities for hiking and beautiful view in the park. We also found out that the hikes for Hidden Falls and Inspirarion Poiny were closed. And since they're doing construction at Jenny Lake, there were only a couple RV parking spots available - so we couldn't park anywhere to do that section of the park. 

Disappointments aside, we went on the beautiful Lake Taggart hike, stopping to play in their Creek, watch some horses, and take a lot beautiful photos.

We also stop at Colter Bay visitor center and were able to watch a movie about the wildlife during different seasons. 

And on to Wyoming!

Such a beautiful drive today! 

They put this sign in the perfect spot!  I was complaining that it was just off a curve in the road making it difficult and dangerous to try and slow for a photo. But once we made our 2 u-turns and pulled off in the turnout to take this photo, I was raving about how great a spot they chose. (Leave it to Kik to remind me, "You were just complaining about the location." I hadn't even realized the 180 I just did - I was so enthralled with the beauty!)

Jo found these bones and was identifying them for Sy. 

Notice the super great outdoor kitchen which we used to make dinner at the summit turnout! It has a stove, sink, and little fridge. 

This was our dinner view!

This was our driving view - nasty bug splatter all over the windshield while taking photos of elk fighting overhead as we entered the little town of Afton.  

We got the trailer!

Today was a big day!

Our kids played computers for 2 1/2 hours at Best Buy while we picked up the trailer. We actually dropped them at a park but they've been without electronics for over a week and were apparently drawn in. When I went in to get them, the manager only laughed and said I should buy a $5k TV to go in the trailer. (:

Here we are with our trailer and Ty from Rocky Mountain RV who taught us how to use everything. 

(Pictures of the inside to follow once we get moved in and pretty.)

First stop... The beautiful Salt Creek just outside Logan. 

And straight to Idaho. 

We were planning to stay the night at either bear lake or drive on toward Jackson,WY if we were doing well and were comfortable with the trailer. 

Bear at the grocery store.