Yellowstone National Park

We avoid crowds at all expense and in order to do so in high season we started our day at 5:30 am. It was worth it! We watched the sun rise in Yellowstone National Park.

The paint pots were stunning, but at 28 degrees the steam was staying close to the ground.

We had the place pretty much to our selves, other than some bison, elk, and birds

By the time we got to Old Faithful at 9am the crowds were building, but nothing like it would be in a few hours.

We were fortunate to enjoy a docent led tour of The Old Faithful Lodge. 

The entrance was designed so as you arrived you would view Old Faithful.

Above the entrance is a view area, so you have many options to watch the event.

The lobby is made entirely of lodge pole pine harvested from within 5 miles of the Lodge. The bent pieces were scavenged from trees that grew bent from snow or wind

The lodge was built with the surrounding forest in mind. It is 70 feet tall - the same heights of the lodge pole pine trees. The only persons allowed to go to the "tree house" at the top are those assigned to raise and lower the flags posted outside on the roof top.

The stones for the fireplace are also from within the 5 mile radius

Our tour also included an original room that is still rented. The staircases speak for themselves.

The second floor opens to the lobby. The furniture is period original. This is a shared desk with beautiful  stained glass light.

We were heading out at 11 am when the crowds were coming in. There was a 5 mile back up inside the park from the West Yellowstone entrance. Usually it's bison holding up traffic but it was these guys causing the traffic jam.

This is Steve's  1934 Plymouth that was in a car show this weekend.

He had previously come in first place so he wasn't eligible to win again. It sure was fun to ride in to go for ice cream.

Friends Boots and JoManda were at the show too. That was a surprise. We know them from the River in the winter month.

Scooter and Maggie

We had a fabulous thunderstorm one afternoon. I walked the couple of blocks to town and had some alone time.

This year was a brief visit into the Park. Last year we visited the Canyon area. We always like to save something for next time. Tomorrow all three motorhomes will drive through the park at 6 am to our next destination: Cody, WY.