I have no idea what is so different about Yellowstone this time compared to the last couple of times that I visited but it definitely seems more impressive this trip. Maybe it's because my previous visits came after seeing the Tetons and this time we came into Yellowstone from the Black Hills; it's like we are slowly increasing our mountainous views. Another theory is that things are greener this visit than past trips. It sure seems like a wetter, cooler trip than our last one. I think it's rained at least part of every day of our trip but no total washouts so we've been lucky with that. The resulting runoff is making for dynamic views of all the streams and rivers that we've been driving along and over.
Our day got off to a little slow of a start because we took a little bit of time at Canyon for laundry and showers. Two showers were included in our Canyon reservation so that was a nice bonus; the laundromat there was really nice too. I took Max across the street for some breakfast in the little cafe - that boy sure likes his home fries. After everyone took care of what needed to be done, we were on the road north to Tower Fall. Nice little trip up to the overlook and another chance to see the Yellowstone River crashing down. There was road construction just past the store there but we got lucky and were waved through as the last vehicle as we were approaching. Turns out that this was extremely fortuitous since near the end of the construction we couldn't figure out why the cars were stopping in the middle of the one lane road...that is until we saw the bear off of the passenger side! Just a little black bear but pretty awesome nonetheless. Tom and I weren't sure if we'd be able to show the kids a bear on this trip and that was the best scenario for seeing one: in the RV, going slow, near the road. So lucky! We did catch a glimpse of another one further up the road but it was over the hill and a piece of its head was all I saw.
The plan was to head just north of Mammoth to the Boiling River, a spot where the geothermal activity heats the water that runs into the creek there. My information wasn't that good though and I wasn't sure about the turnout that we needed until we passed it. We ended up just turning around and heading back to Mammoth for lunch. The error did give us a chance to drive into Montana and cross the 45th parallel (in addition to a very scenic drive along the Gardner River) so all was not lost. After lunch at the Terrace Grill in Mammoth we made a short trip along the boardwalk to the Mammoth Hot Springs. Though we didn't venture far (and Tom didn't venture at all because we couldn't find a parking spot for the motorhome) it was cool for me because it was the first time I really saw water flowing over the terraces. Max of course has to stop at every sign and map. I indulge him though because I think it's pretty cute (and cool) that he wants to learn about that stuff. He spend a lot of time with Papa on the drive looking at the map and trying to learn about the different symbols (no camping, no dogs, campground, etc.)
After Mammoth we headed south to the Norris area and did the Artist Paint Pot Trail. (Oh, but before that we stopped for some firewood along the road. You can collect and burn an dead, downed wood in the park but by the time you get to the campground everything is picked over pretty darn well. We got smart though and stopped to get dead wood at a turnout before we got to camp for the evening.) The Paint Pot trail was nice - not difficult but still a little bit of a hike. Lots of geothermal features, including mud pots which were on Tom's list of things to see this time. One of the coolest things about this trip is how different it is from our last trip to the area. The kids may have necessitated a change in plans from the previous itinerary, but I really feel like we are making the most of it.
Ughh, as I write this (9:15 MST) it is raining again. Big thunder too. Oh well, at least the tent's been holding up well.
Our last stop of the day was just south of Madison Junction: a swim in the Firehole River. We almost didn't take this little trip because the one way road cautioned RVs and buses to not enter but Tom figured it would be OK and we pushed on. After some of the VERY narrow two-lane roads that Tom navigated in South Dakota this one lane wide track seemed like a piece of cake. It as a nice drive along the Firehole River with river canyon rising up around us. We were rewarded with a couple of different falls views and did eventually find the swimming spot. Though the storm was approaching, we still decided to get the kids down and give them a chance to swim in the river (and us too). It was a short trip in the water but worth it in my opinion. The water wasn't too cold (as we were getting out a guy asked me if it was cold as he was getting ready to get in. I asked him where he was from. "Ohio" he said. "No, not too cold then" was my answer. Really, it wasn't that bad. Tom and Sophie made it to the middle of the river where the current was stronger. There were people further up river that were jumping off of rocks and riding the little rapids down. Definitely a cool little stop.
Leaving Firehole we were just a few miles from our camp for the night at Madison. We were going to try and get in and set up the tent before the downpour but didn't make it. Fortunately, that first rain didn't last long and we were able to set up camp and get the fire ready and still have time to go down by the river. We weren't lucky enough to see elk at camp (but we did see some on our drive around Mammoth, forgot to mention that) but it was still nice to hang out by the river, throw some rocks, and watch the fly fishermen. Max and Sophie had fun chasing the prairie dogs around along the riverbanks too. We are so fortunate that the kids have each other and enjoy each other's company. Max is really learning from Sophie and is so considerate and caring toward her (most of the time...they are still kids!)
That's the recap for the day. Not sure when we'll have WiFi to post this - I'm thinking probably not for a couple of days in Jackson.
