Last Day at Yellowstone (Howie day 85)

Harris is sitting in his red chair having finished his second rum and coke. The Mariners vs Indians bb game is on (top of the second with no score as Guiteras leaps up at the wall to make a spectacular catch to end the inning) as he takes his turn at updating the blog. Marilyn (the birthday girl), Jean, Jeff, and Mary were up at 5 to have breakfast out before a 2 hour horseback ride near Canyon. Harris and Judy slept in until 8:30. Breakfast consisted of the remaining 2 eggs, half a package of bacon (2 slices for Judy and the rest for Harris), and three slices of toast (all that was left). We have become used to using the generator in the morning to spoil ourselves with toast.

Today we decided to take an easy 6 mile hike between West Thumb and Old Faithfull called De Lacey Creek Trail. It is best to describe the hike as a blood battle. A battle between the mosquitoes and us. They lulled us into their trap by hardly bothering us as we left the road and descended into the forest. About 2 miles into the walk they made their move. Judy who had sprayed liberally with bug spray merely had dive bombers who distracted her as she swatted her hands around her body. Harris who as usual rejected the proffered bug spray can regretted his decision as he became bug meat as he danced his way down the path. The mosquitoes won as we turned back just shy of seeing the lake at the end. We were content to see meadows, shaded woods, and a meandering creek which needless to say supplied a never ending air force of mosquitoes ready to give their lives to drain quarts of Thomas blood for some undisclosed purpose.
Btw, the Mariners won today!


Our hike to Mystic Falls



Marilyn and Jean on the hike to Mystic Falls



Jeff and Mary on the hike



All of us on the hike

Friday at Yellowstone

Yellowstone's Grand Canyon



The pelicans were huge!



Today we drove to the Canyon area and hiked along the South Rim trail to Artist’s Point and back. We were going to take the Uncle Tom hike down to the bottom of the canyon, but it was closed (perhaps a blessing since it’s a stairway down 400’). The area is called the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone for a reason. There are 2 beautiful falls, and high walls full of colorful minerals. It was another gorgeous day. Except for those first couple of thunder showers, we’ve had clear, sunny and downright hot weather. Temps have been in the 70-80 range during the day and 35-50 during the nights. We also stopped at the LeHardy Rapids, and saw several fish in the water trying to make their way up the rapids to spawn. Gene took some great pictures of the pelicans waiting to do their fishing. We played cards in the afternoon, and Marilyn cooked a roast in her oven for dinner. We enjoyed a hot fire until dark, and then retired. We were taking our showers inside Howie, when Harris discovered we were running out of water entirely. So, we drove down to the dump station to get more water at 10:30 PM. We didn’t want the pump to burn out and we wanted water for morning. Surprisingly, we had to wait in line! There were 3 other RV’s waiting to dump. But we got some water, returned to our site, finished our showers and hit the sack.
PS. The Mariners won

Yellowstone River waterfall



Us at Artist Point

Wednesday and Thursday at Yellowstone

Marilyn, Jean, Mary, and Jeff looking for wildlife in the truck



We split up today. Marilyn, Gene, Jeff and Mary hiked Elephant Back Mountain, which we declined to do again so soon. Judy and Harris hiked the Storm Point 2.3 mile trail that started at Indian Pond, not far from Fishing Bridge. It was an easy, scenic hike that started in the meadows, moved through forests and ended on the shore of Yellowstone Lake. There were areas of deep sand, like you’d find at an ocean beach. There were huge boulders to clamber on. There were areas that smelled like sulphur although we didn’t see any active hot springs. We saw marmots among the rocks and enjoyed their scurrying antics. We stopped at Fishing Bridge on the way back to claim another geocache and watch the pelicans swimming and fishing.
Marilyn cooked a wonderful salmon dinner for us this night, with blueberry cobbler for dessert…gourmet camping at its best.

One of several waterfalls we saw or hiked to




Neat bridge hugging the side of a mountain




Thursday
Another drive day. We explored the geyser basin areas between Old Faithful and Norris. Black Sand Basin, Biscuit Basin, Fountain Paint Pot, and the Firehole Lake Drive were on the agenda. Beautiful deep hot pools, full of blues and greens and browns. We hiked to Mystic Falls from Biscuit Basin, which was a great falls to visit. While on the Firehole Lake Drive, we sat at the Great Fountain Geyser for almost an hour, waiting for it to erupt. People all around us said it was due any minute. Alas, our patience this time ran out, and we left without seeing anything but bubbles and steam. The White Dome Geyser erupted twice during this time, and we got some pictures the second time because we just happened to be driving by it when it spouted. Marilyn and Gene were in Jeff and Mary’s car, and they went back to camp the long way around through Norris and Canyon Village, but we went back the way we came to get another geocache. Harris took some leftover pasta from last night, added Mary and Jeff’s packaged pasta,our Costco chicken and made a marvelous meal for us all which also included salad with all remaining fixin’s, left over artisan bread from last night, and Lemon custard ice cream and cookies!
Dang…The Mariners lost.

Part of the Grand Loop road in Yellowstone



Some roadside geysers

Tuesday at Yellowstone

Buffalo we saw on the way to a hike



Today we drove to Mammoth Hot Springs to explore that area and walk around it a bit. The drive to the area took us through the areas full of buffalo. Even when we’re seeing the hundredth one, it’s still a thrill to see them up close and personal. Some are so majestic and totally unconcerned with the hoards snapping the pictures. Some have this look in their eye…come any closer and we’ll see who really owns this park!

A close up of a hot spring



Another of the many hot springs we saw



Us at the bottom of the Mammouth Hot Springs



One of many erie looking views




Harris cooked marinated chicken thighs with a honey mustard glaze over the fire for dinner. He was happy since he was able to cook it over a wood fire and not burn the skin to crisp. It was too cold to sit around after dinner and play cards, although we did enjoy the fire for a while before turning in.

Monday at Yellowstone

Today we hiked to Lone Star Geyser, visited Old Faithful and did some virtual geocaches. Lone Star Geyser was an easy hike. The geyser is sitting all by itself at the end of the trail, smoking away. It spouts a geyser about 45 feet high approximately every 3 hours, give or take 15 minutes. We saw it a few years ago when we were here, and we were lucky again. We ate our lunch, trained our cameras, and waited. Our patience was rewarded with the whoosh of hot water shooting up into the blue sky. It’s not as high as Old Faithful, but far less crowded! There were perhaps 10 other people there when we arrived, and they didn’t all wait for the show.


Us and Jeff and Mary at Lonestar Geyser



The tallest geyser cone at the park is Lonestar



When we drove on to Old Faithful, we encountered the masses….and again, didn’t have to wait long for the spectacular show. Harris and Jeff hiked around the back of Old Faithful on trails that lead to other geysers and hot springs to do a couple of virtual geocaches. Then, back in the car for the long drive back to camp. This park is huge and it takes some traveling time to get from site to site!

Cool looking Treehouse decor inside Old Faithfull Inn



The tradional Yellowstone tourist pic!

Sunday at Yellowstone

Candy and Rick left Sunday morning, and Marilyn, Gene, Jeff and Mary arrived. Harris had been patiently asking at the check in place every day if something would open up for Marilyn and Gene, and his persistence paid off. They are in our loop, a few campsites away from us, but at least we’re all set for the week. Jeff and Mary parked next to us and set up their tent….which made us appreciate our Howie all the more. The weather has been gorgeous, sunny and downright hot until late Sunday afternoon. Marilyn, Gene, Harris and Judy went for a short hike to Natural Bridge, and the clouds rolled in just as we returned. Thunder cracked and the rain started coming down. We do have a netted shelter over the table, courtesy of Mary. We’ll see how long we can stand to be out there…we’ve become so spoiled!

Mary and Jeff trying to remember how it all goes together



Looks good!



The sun came out again in time for dinner. Mary and Jeff brought beef fondue for everyone…wow! What a meal for campers! We played hearts after dinner with a double deck, which makes it just about impossible to shoot the moon. Sometime in the middle of the night we were awakened with a booming thunder and lightning storm, and the rain poured down. We saw lots of people this morning packing up their wet tents. We don’t miss those days one little bit! We put in our time, paid our dues, and we deserve our comfort in our old age, right?

Us at the top of the Natural Arch



Us at the bottom of Natural Arch



The Marina just below our campground

At Yellowstone

July 12, 2009

Our lunch spot toward Candy and Rick's house...beats McDonald's!




We left Candy and Rick’s place in Hamilton, MT at 7 AM. Rick had told us it would be about 4 hours to Yellowstone. Ha! We now know that there is Pacific, Mountain, Central, Eastern and Rick Time. It took us all day…but what a beautiful day it was. We first drove down the Bitterroot Valley, then up over the mountains via Lost Trail Pass and Chief Joseph Pass. Incredible views. As we descended on Highway 43 into the Big Hole, we drove into a complete fog bank. We stopped for breakfast at a café, and Rick and Candy told us the fog was preventing us from seeing the Big Hole’s beauty. But as we left the café, the fog began to lift and we saw some of this huge valley surrounded on all sides by mountains. The landscape was dotted with ranches, cattle and houses that were few- and- far- between. We traveled on to I-15, then joined I-90 in Butte. At Livingston, we turned south on highway 89 to the north west entrance to Yellowstone. Some construction slowed us a bit (adding to the Rick time), but we finally entered the park about 4. Then the fun of finding a spot began. At the entrance, several campsites were listed as open, but as we got to each one, the signs said “full”.


A fisherman on Lolo Pass river



Finally Candy had the bright idea of calling the reservation number, instead of driving to each camping area. Her cell phone also got coverage here, ours didn’t. :< We were told the only places still available were at Bridges Bay, so off we went. We did get 2 sites there, but what sites. The A,B,and C loops are all in a meadow, wall to wall campers, tents, what have yous. There was a very narrow road between campers, and we felt like we were sleeping on the road. But, beggars can’t be choosers, so we set up and ate a quick dinner. Harris and Rick went off in Rick’s van to get propane, and Candy and Judy sat talking inside Howie. As the sun went down, a buffalo wandered through the very crowded campsites. He was supremely unconcerned with all the people, eating grass and getting his photo snapped every few minutes. He came back again the next morning.

Eating ice cream after arriving at Yellowstone



We did some exploring, and asked at the check in place if we could be moved to G or H loop, further off the road and in the trees. Luckily, we were able to be moved for the second night to a very nice, quiet spot. We set up our house in the new spot, then drove Candy and Rick’s van (Goldie) to go for a hike up Elephant Back Mountain. It’s a “moderately strenuous” hike according to the guide. 3.6 miles, 800 foot elevation gain, and the view at the top is stunning. “A sweeping panoramic view of Yellowstone Lake and the surrounding area.” Candy and Rick had no trouble with the steepest parts, and at first were polite enough to wait for us. We convinced them to just go at their own (fast) pace, and Judy huffed and puffed her slow way to the top, with Harris staying right behind her to encourage her at every turn. We ate our lunches at the top, then continued the loop down back to the car. After dinner we played cards, and again, Rick seems to have all the luck. (or strategy, or something?)


The only positive of where we camped on our first night at Yellowstone




Rick, Candy, and us at the top of Elephant Back mountain