After leaving Utah, we headed up to Yellowstone National Park to spend a couple of days with some of the Bergstrom family. We met up with Grandma Bergstrom, Keith, Lysa, Laine, Christina & Nathanel & family, Cindy & kids, Stacey & family.
We camped for two nights. It was the beginning of July. It was FREEZING!!!! I figured it was summer - it wouldn't be too bad - I was sorely mistaken. Temps got into the 30's at night.
Our first night there the plan was to set camp and then go into West Yellowstone to see a play at the Playmill Theatre. Grandma Bergstrom had purchased tickets to The Secret Garden. What an awesome treat that was! Beautiful music, talented actors & crew, very well done show. We all loved it. (THANK YOU GRANDMA!)
Most families arrived ahead of us to secure camp spots. They set up in the rain. Brrrr. We arrived late, which actually worked out as the rain had stopped. Then it was a mad dash to the Playmill before the seats were given away.
After the play we all went to Grandma's hotel - a very nice, warm, comfy, cozy hotel - for dinner. None of us really wanted to brave the 30 degree weather for camping. Alas, the hotel only allowed 6 guests in the room, not 27 - so off to the campsite we went.
I really can't complain though as camping was my suggestion in the first place...that was months prior to actually realizing how FREEZING it can be in July in Montana. Next time we'll either convince ourselves it wasn't really that bad and try it again - or spring major $$$ for a hotel.
First day in Yellowstone was beautiful. The weather during the day was in the 60's and 70's - perfect.
Some of the highlights are in the following photo collages:
One of our first "stops" was to pull over and Oooo and Ahhh at a huge herd of Bison. This picture doesn't even show a 1/4 of the herd. There were well over 100; all lying around or grazing. What the photo does show accurately was how close we were. A little too close for my comfort. As the kids walked behind groups of people taking pictures they got WAY too close at times. Very cool sight though.
Next stop was the Fountain Paint Pot. It was a little thermal area that is still evolving - according to the sign. It had a nice boardwalk to stroll around the area. It did smell awfully bad, as Oliver points out in his photo. I also remember the bathroom line taking almost as long as the actual hike.
We drove to Old Faithful and had a picnic in the trees. The kids had a great time playing...so much fun in fact that they kind of forgot to eat. So lunch lasted a really long time. However, by the time we finally packed up there was not much food left. They must have really worked up an appetite!
We drove to Old Faithful and had a picnic in the trees. The kids had a great time playing...so much fun in fact that they kind of forgot to eat. So lunch lasted a really long time. However, by the time we finally packed up there was not much food left. They must have really worked up an appetite!
(More to come)
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