After some delicious bacon at breakfast, we set out for Yellowstone. Yellowstone was pretty amazing - mountains, rivers, waterfalls, prairies, hot springs, geysers, wildlife - it really has it all. We got to see elk, bison, and antelope. We didn't spot any moose or bears, sadly. (But we did spot camels on the road just before the park entrance - random!!!) In terms of scenery, I liked the mountainous areas the most. The hot springs and geysers were neat. We did get to see Old Faithful, though I must admit I was kind of underwhelmed by it. There was a lot of anticipation, I don't know what I was expecting but it was still neat - not something you see everyday...
We stayed in Cody, WY for the night, a drive that took 2.5 hours from Old Faithful. That was difficult especially since we had to come back into the park basically the same way the next day. Much of that drive was through forests that had been burned down in a forest fire, presumably years ago. But we also got to drive along the huge Yellowstone Lake with pretty mountain views.
Day 8 - Wednesday, July 13We got a very early start back through Yellowstone this morning. After getting lots of pictures by the lake, we left the park through the southern gate, which basically leads you right into the Grand Tetons. That was magnificent, easily the best views of the trip for me so far. The mountain views are spectacular, the lakes were pretty, the skies were clear. It was a perfect day there.
After leaving the park, we headed south through Wyoming towards Colorado. We went through Jackson Hole and I kept an eye out for Harrison Ford but I didn't spot him. Alas, maybe next time... Much of this drive, all 189 miles of it except for parts at the beginning and end, were on a rural highway - meaning one lane in each direction. It was fun to pass the slow trucks using the oncoming traffic lane. Fortunately, the roads aren't exactly heavily travelled... If the scenery in northwestern Wyoming is beautify, the same cannot be said for the rest of the journey. Very brown, very plain, very dry, very hot. We spent the night in the bustling metropolis of Rock Springs, WY... Tomorrow we get to Colorado and plan to visit Rocky Mountains National Park before finally turning East and heading home.
Day 9 - Thursday, July 14It took a few hours to drive from Rock Springs to Rocky Mountains National Park. We went through Laramie and Cheyenne - all I could think about was Oregon Trail. Fortunately, I did not get dysentery and die and we didn't have to get our covered wagon across any rivers. I do not think I would have survived a real journey on the Oregon Trail...
At Rocky Mountains National Park, dad had the brilliant idea to drive the scary one way barely paved road up the mountains rather than take the normal road. That was alarming, especially the parts on the very edge of the mountainside with no guard rails. In fact, practically all roads in the park were lacking guard rails, something I personally would have included if I were in charge...
The views from the top were phenomenal, though. I do love mountain scenery. We also saw lots of elk, including an entire herd grazing on the hillside. It took a few tries to find the right field, but I got my "Sound of Music" moment. It would have been better in one of the meadows at the top but we weren't about to go back up to get that shot...
Tomorrow we head for home, driving as far as we can each day across the Midwest back to Connecticut. We might get home by Saturday night, otherwise definitely on Sunday. Not a lot of exciting scenery to stop for in Kansas...
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