We had plans to start the day early and start the day early we did.
Pete and I up by 4 am to get ready for the day and Noah and Wes up not long after. AND in a surprisingly good mood.
All in the rental car and on the road from West Yellowstone to Yellowstone National Park by 5.30, just before sunrise.
As predicted the roads were quiet. We saw an amazing sunrise and Elk grazing on the side of the road.
Down to the Midway Geyser Basin where we saw hot springs and large Bison (a humpbacked shaggy-haired wild ox, native to North America and Europe) crossing rivers and grazing in the meadows.
Next, a stop and walk along the boardwalk at the Fountain Paint Pot (a mud pot). I have forgotten to mention that it was absolutely freezing this morning and the kids and I did NOT dress appropriately (our shorts and light sweaters did not quite cut it). By the end of the walk, we could not feel toes nor fingertips.
Onto the Grand Prismatic Spring (the largest hot spring in the United States) and another lovely stroll along the boardwalk. It was difficult to see it in its full glory from the boardwalk (much better from a height) but It was still quite impressive. By now the sun was also beginning to show us some warmth.
Back in the car and our next stop, Old Faithful, a cone-shaped geyser (hot spring) with predictable eruptions, approximately every 94 minutes. We had about 40 minutes to wait for the next eruption, the boys went and grabbed some coffees and hot chocolates and I saved our prime position seats at the front of the viewing platform (which I nearly lost).
Waiting, waiting, waiting and then finally it erupted. It was a bit difficult to see the eruption of hot water behind all of the steam, however, it was still impressive and worth the wait.
More touring and stops at the Kepler Cascades and Gibbon Falls, both lovely waterfalls but not quite as spectacular as some of the other waterfalls we have seen.
There is nothing better than making and enjoying a hike to see a waterfall. It appears and feels a lot more glorious and satisfying than stepping out of the car, in the carpark, to the viewing platform.
We have noticed that Yellowstone National Park is more of a drive around and stop and look at the scenery and wildlife, instead of hiking to them. A bit like a safari.
This is probably because the park is huge and the wildlife unpredictable. They take bear safety very seriously here (be bear aware). With no bear spray, this time I am happy to take the car.
More driving and a view of a deer along the river and another huge Bison along the road. Another stop and a break to eat our packed lunch and browse the gift shop at Canyon Village Visitors Centre.
Then, time to drive along the South Rim Drive to Artist Point, an overlook point on the edge of a cliff on the south rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, with a beautiful view of the canyon’s most famous feature, the 308-foot Lower Falls.
By now the roads were getting very crowded, it was becoming difficult to get a park at the attractions and Pete had been driving, once again for hours. It was time to return to the RV park for a rest.
Oh, and I didn’t realise that we had crossed the border into Wyoming while in Yellowstone, another state, tick…
On returning Noah and I had a lovely bike ride around the RV Park and town and some housekeeping, not a surprise, washing.
A lovely casual dinner at the log cabin restaurant Bullwinkle’s and then an early night for the Browns, ready for another early start to Yellowstone National Park.
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