Yellowstone - Day 1

We are reviving the blog to share pictures and tips on Yellowstone!  We went to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons last July and had a wonderful time.  Meg and Katie still talk about how much fun they had and how they'd like to go back some day.

Our first day was a driving day.  We drove as far as Pocatello, Idaho, where we stayed in a hotel for the night.  The next morning we got up bright and early to drive to Yellowstone.  We arrived in the morning, and found a camping spot in Norris Campground.  After setting up camp, we drove north to meet up with friends in Mammoth Springs.  Along the way, we stopped for a picnic lunch and a short hike at Sheepeater Cliffs.

hike along the river

Erin, Katie, and Meg at Sheepeater Cliff 

walking through the willows

 

 

Katie, Erin, and Meg at Rustic Falls

Mammoth Hot Springs

Liberty Cap

watching the elk 

Wraith Falls hike with friends

getting up close and personal with a marmot

wading in the water to cool off

After exploring the Mammoth Hot Springs trails/area, we drove a short distance to the trail head of the Wraith Falls hike.  This is a short, easy hike to a beautiful waterfall.  The kids enjoyed splashing in the water on the way back to the cars.  We planned to float/swim in Boiling River, but it was closed due to high waters.  We had dinner (pizza) in Gardiner with our friends before driving back to Norris for the night.

Yellowstone - Day 2

On our first morning in Yellowstone, we woke up to 2 bison in the vacant camping spot directly across from us!  

After packing up camp (we were moving to Madison, where we had reservations, for the remainder of our time in Yellowstone), we explored the Norris Geyser Basin area.  The girls enjoyed seeing the various geysers around the Back Basin loop.  It was getting very warm, so after stopping in at the museum, we left to set up camp at Madison.  

After setting up camp and having lunch, we went to the Madison Junior Ranger Station to attend a short program about beavers, which we all enjoyed.  Then we drove to Canyon Village, so Jenn could take a shower.  Erin and the girls walked along the upper rim trail to look at Upper and Lower Falls.

 

 

After dinner back at our campsite, we took an evening walk along Madison River.

Yellowstone - Day 3

On our third day in Yellowstone, Katie and Meg earned their Junior Ranger badges at the Madison Junior Ranger Station.  Then we headed for Old Faithful.

We waited for the morning eruption, and then headed to Snow Lodge to rent bikes.

 

 

We biked along the path out to Morning Glory, stopping along the way now and then to walk on the board walk to see various pools and geysers.

We made it to Fan and Mortar Geysers, just as they started to erupt, and the girls got soaked. :)  

 

Meg (above) and Katie (below) by Morning Glory

We biked back to Snow Lodge and had lunch at Geyser Grill.  Then we watched Old Faithful erupt again and explored Old Faithful Inn.

hanging out in Old Faithful Inn

On our way back to Madison, we drove the Firehole Lake drive and the Firehold Canyon drive, both of which were practically deserted and very enjoyable.

 

We got caught in a buffalo jam!

dinner at Madison Campground

Yellowstone - Day 4

On Saturday, day 4, we drove from Madison to the Artist Paint Pot area.

 

This was an easy, fun loop hike, that both girls really enjoyed.  They still talk about the bubbling mud.

 

 

 

After the Artists Paintpots we drove the Virgina Cascade Drive on our way to the brink of the Upper Falls.

After exploring the Upper Falls area, we drove south, toward Yellowstone Lake, and stopped for a picnic lunch along the Yellowstone River.

We stopped and explored the Mud Volcano trails,

and then drove on to Yellowstone Lake.

 

We had ice cream at the Lake General Store and then went wading in Yellowstone Lake.

 

We drove back to Old Faithful Inn, where we all took showers.  (Just ask at the front desk, and for a small fee ($3, I think) they give you a towel, soap, and shampoo.)   We were all hungry, so we opted to eat dinner at the Geyser Grill before driving back to Madison.

On our way back to Madison we stopped at Midway Geyser Basin, which was beautiful at dusk, and hardly anyone else was there.