Little Camper in the National Park

A few Yellowstone highlights…

Hiking was incredible. We chose short and medium hikes with a level of difficulty that was moderately strenuous—although Princess A says they were “difficult in her book”. The trails were mostly switchbacks, right up the side of a mountain of course, so it was a good workout. The views, once we reached the top were undoubtedly incredible!

The wildlife. We had bison at the campground that just hung out in front of our camper--it was like a dog in the yard.

Here’s the big highlight for you…while touring the Mud Volcano area we were greeted by this sign,

then this bisonI noticed the bison had some lazy birds trying to rest upon his back (so I snapped a photo) when suddenly he was not pleased with his back company…and before I could put the put my camera to rest he took off running--BUFFALO STAMPEDE! The dam thing took off crossing right in front of me sending women running saying things like “I’m getting the hell out of here” or “if that didn’t make you crap your pants”. He then flopped to the ground rolled his back in the dirt, rose and stampeded up the hill were the rest of my family stood. Nevertheless exciting.

The weather. One word for the night…brrrrrr! On Tuesday night I awoke to look at our traveling thermometer (we refer to now as our thermostat) to see not only my breath puffing white clouds inside the camper but a temperature read of 48* (20 degrees warmer than outside). Obviously this little propane heater was cutting it! I immediately prepared hot chocolate for all. But the day weather was fantastic. We had moments where we were rather chilly and then moments when we removed our layers and acquired nice backpacker’s tans.

We managed to catch geysers at the moment of eruption, never having to linger like a typical Yellowstone tourist. We saw incredible waterfalls and breath taking views never to repeat themselves. (Fountain Geyser)

(Tower Falls in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, which I climbed Uncle Tom's trail, 328 steps down and then up again to see it from this view...exhausting!)

Next we took in a day at the Grand Tetons. Hiked and did gads of laundry.

We are now in Thermopolis enjoying the mineral hot springs. (The camper next to us has a delightful sign attached to the window that reads “if this camper is a rocking don’t come a knocking”,yuck…I want new camping neighbors!)