Yellowstone Day 10

Still driving. Stopped at McD's in Wisconsin (just over the border) for breakfast. GPS is estimating 3:44 pm. ETA for home.

Yellowstone Day 9

Got up early and broke camp. Left at 7:40 am. Drove out north exit into Montana.

Arrived at Mt. Rushmore at 5:00 pm. Drove by and stopped on road for quick photo. Did not go in park. Motorcyclists everywhere because of rally in Sturgis, SD. (To start Monday, but already crowded.)

A quick stop along the road near Mt. Rushmore.

Decided to get out of Rapid City, SD for supper because so congested. Big mistake. Nothing for hundreds of miles! Nothing! Finally stopped at a gas station for pizza. Saw Badlands from a distance - looked cool. Intended to stop in Mitchell, SD for hotel, but all completely booked with bikers. Tried Sioux Falls area, too, but all full. Kept driving through the night. M took nap at a rest area for an hour and a half. The rest of us slept most of the night.

Yellowstone Day 8

Drove up through Mammoth and into Montana. Stopped at Mammoth Visitor Center to collect Jr. Ranger badges. Drove north loop. Stopped at Tower Falls. Spotted a coyote near Mt. Washburn.

Our Jr. Rangers by Tower Falls

Ate lunch at a diner in Canyon Village. Went to campsite and changed into bathing suits. Went back to Firehole River and everybody rode the current. Nice afternoon. Nice weather.

Drove out West Entrance. Drove to Idaho border. Kids kissed the ground. Turned around and went to eat in West Yellowstone. Headed back to camp.

Popped popcorn and drank hot chocolate by the best campfire yet. Rain threatened, but missed us.

Yellowstone Day 7

Woke up and went to Canyon Village for breakfast. Drove into Hayden Valley and saw wolf pack. Generous people let us use their telescopes to see. Pack had 4 adults and 5 pups.

Went to Mud Volcano and many other Jr. Ranger stops (fishing bridge, West Thumb Geyser Basin, Paint Pots and Grand Prismatic Spring - a favorite).

Went to Old Faithful and waited in the rain.

Drove to Firehole River. M and kids rode the rapids over and over.

Went back to camp. Drizzly. Roasted hot dogs and made smores in the rain. (Great fire)

Went to bed. It rained all night.

Yellowstone Day 6

Breakfast and packed up camp. Went down (walked) to lake one more time to throw rocks. Left at 9:30 am.

Arrived in Yellowstone National Park. Tried Madison Campground at 12:00, but already full. Drove to Norris Campground and claimed a campsite (only a few left).

Set up tent and it started to hail. Visited Ranger Museum, then drove to Norris Geyser Basin.

Saw Steamboat - small eruptions. Rained on us a little and got Jr. Ranger guides. Went back to camp and kids worked on Jr. Ranger stuff. Drove to Canyon Village for supper at the soda shop. Visited Canyon Visitor Education Center. Drove to Inspiration Point (view of canyon) and Lower Falls. Rained pretty hard. Saw elk by side of road on drive back. Then saw large grizzly bear in a field. Walked across field and right across the street only a few cars ahead of us.

Went back to camp and watched The Incredibles in the tent. Went to bed.

Yellowstone Day 5

Took ferry across Jenny Lake. Hiked to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. Continued to Cascade Canyon. Saw one moose.

Drove to Jackson, WY. Ate at Teton Steakhouse. Saw park with antler arches. Walked around and checked out art galleries and shops.

Drove back to campground. M & kids went swimming at picnic area (Jackson Lake) and I slept.

Ate spaghetti at camp. Went into camp village for showers, then ice cream. Watched sunset from picnic area at the beach. Went to bed.

Yellowstone Day 4

Packed up camp. Left at 9 am. Shopped for t-shirts in Estes Park. On the road again at 9:50 am. Ate at BK in Wellington, CO.

Arrived at Grand Teton National Park at 7pm. Took several attempts to find a good campsite. Ended up in the RV loop - we were the only ones in the woods. The RVs park on the road. Short walk to Jackson Lake. Very pebbly - kids like throwing rocks into the water.
Bought groceries at cmap store. Made mac & cheese and sandwiches at campsite. Went to bed.

Yellowstone Day 3

Drove up Old Fall River Road. Stopped at Alpine Visitors Center. Walked up all the steps (12,005 feet elevation) and saw elk. B was feeling some altitude sickness. Came down Trail Ridge Road.

Talked to a ranger at Sheep Lakes about the bighorn sheep, but didn't see any. Ate at McD's in Estes Park.

Waited out a rainstorm at Glacier Gorge Trailhead. Hiked to Alberta Falls. Continued on to Mills Lake (5.6 miles round-trip). Kids were exhausted and we paid them $2 to continue to hike.
Saw a mother and young moose at the lake. Felt so good to take our boots off and soak our feet in the water!

Hiked back down (much more pleasant) and ate at Village Pizza in Estes Park. Went to bed!

Yellowstone Day 2

Arrived at Rocky Mountain National Park around noon on Saturday. Set up camp at Estes Park Campground. Kids loved the hummingbird feeders and tetherball. I enjoyed a shower. We visited the Alluvial Fan and I was worried about the kids falling down the water as they climbed around. Guess who was the only one to slip and get wet? (Me.)

Took an easy hike around Bear Lake.

The fire pit was pretty muddy and smokey (everything was wet), but we got a fire going and roasted hot dogs for supper.

Yellowstone Day 1

Left at 5:45 pm.