Yellowstone at last! (Day 1)

We finally made it! Turns out there's basically no cell coverage in Yellowstone, so this will be a couple days worth of posts in rapid succession.

Day 1 (June 17)



About an hour drive from Grand Teton (plus 20 minutes in line to get in) and we're finally here. 5* nights in Grant Campground on the shore of Lake Yellowstone.

The drive up was fantastic. We saw miles of endless Lodgepole pines, crossed and paralleled the snake river (with one waterfall) and while waiting in line, actually saw a mother Moose with two (2) young moose crossing the river maybe 50 yards from our car. Unfortunately no picture came out, but Lisa and the kids hopped out to watch. 

Syney tells us it is very rare to see a mother Moose with two babies. Based on experience, I tend to believe her when it comes to animal facts, so pretty cool thing to see right off, I guess.

After setting up camp, we took a stroll/hike back to the visitor center and general store. It went along the shore of the cold, but beautiful lake.

Finally time to bust out the bin of cold weather clothes we've trailered through 5 states!)

The hike took us across a pedestrian suspension bridge...

Which Caitlin proved to be a "strong bridge" upon the obligatory Short Round reference.

The Grant visitor center was, as always, fantastic. They had a hands on display if animal bones/horns/antlers/fur...

And an entire exhibit about fire in Yellowstone.

With the colors above representing various 10 or 20 year spans of fires....

Except for the pale yellow/brown. That's, by itself, the summer of 1988, and the subject of most of the rest of the exhibit. 

So now we know how tall a 30 year old Lodgepole pine is. Cause they're all the same here.

The kids also got their junior ranger books (which cost $3 each here, but are bigger and reward with a patch instead if a pin) and went to work.

And we did some souvenir shopping...

And enjoyed another dinner with a view (though not as spectacular as last night, especially with he rain/fog) at Grant Village Dining Room

A good day for sure.

But it wasn't over.

In the parking lot after dinner we found Deleware! 2 plates to go.

Then in the campground lot, on the same drive....

<key "hallelujah" music>

(Also, how on Earth does a camper van from Hawaii get to Yellowstone? Anyone?) (Update: apparently there is a provison to allow military folks to transfer license plates for very low cost?)

Now c'mon Rhode Island! Show yourself and we're done!

Tomorrow it's old faithful and the surroundings.  (Post coming...soon)