We Might Not Be Back: Three Days in a Tent in Yellowstone

Yellowstone should probably be its own state. It is HUGE! Our campground was part o the southeastern section of the northern loop. The Northern Loop is 69 miles and the Souther Loop is 84 miles. On our first day after setting up camp and getting our ranger books we stuck close to “home” and went to check out the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. This is where we found out why they call it yellowstone. The colors of the rocks was beautiful. The falls we got to see were amazing. We went for the climb down Uncle Tom’s trail which included descending about 300 metal grate steps. Lottie by this time was completely out of her mind tired and apparently wanted to fit in with the wild surroundings and bit my arm. Dan graciously carried her the whole way. Thankfully she took a nap in the car while we drove down so Gabby and I could check out some of the other views of the falls.

The next day we drove the entire southern rim and saw all kinds of amazing animals and geological features. It really is like being on a different planet when you walk around all the geysers, fumaroles, and mud volcanoes. After a while the smell can be a little much but it is well worth it to see all the colors of the boiling waters. By some amazing twist of fate we showed up at Old Faithful 15 mins before it was going to erupt. It is unbelievable how many people circle around to watch this event.

On our third day at the park we headed north to find my hot springs. I had read about one of the “best kept secrets” being where the Boiling River runs into the Yellowstone River making pools of warm water people are allowed in. On our way we came as close to a bison as I ever want to come again when we took a short detour in the Lamar Valley. Then we headed up to the Mammoth Hotsprings to see the travertine. Again it was like a different planet. I don’t think there’s anywhere else you can see things like this, which is apparently why it is packed full of people from all over the world. After this we drove out of the park into Montana just so we could say we were in at least two states that day. Then we found my river. I am hear to tell you the secret is out. It was packed. Also the river current was apparently a little stronger than normal. I lasted a few minutes trying to drag both girls with me and then gave up. I went in on my own and thought I was going to have to call Dan in to rescue me because although I could stay upright in the knee deep water walking against the current was challenging to say the least and I have what is probably an unhealthy fear of being swept away in a current. After that it was time to head back. We decided to retrace our steps instead of going the whole Northern Loop in the hopes that we’d see a bear. No such luck. Instead we went back to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and got a closer look at the falls.

The next day we had to head off to the Grand Tetons. Naturally that night was by far the coldest night we’d had. I’d say it was near freezing. We packed up in the cold and headed down to National Park number 3.