Day 4
SNOW!!!!
Morning started off with the anticipation that our weather.com forecast predicts snow today. Still nothing on the ground but just rain so we didn’t know what to expect.
We got our normal start out the door at approx 10:30am We both got a better nights sleep as we have figured out how the wall heater works and have found a temp that is comfortable. So we took advantage of the sleep.
Our plan of attack was to head over to “tower.” From our town that is about 20 miles east on the north side. We have been advised that we will not be able to make it all the way through b/c the road has been closed for weather for weeks, and won’t open up until later in the season.
As we start through the first part we come across a pretty water fall. Along out drive, there isn’t much in the way of things to do, but just areas that look more like California mountains.
At this time, the rain starts to pick up then we start to notice little floaty things. Not having any upbringing in the snow, after a few moments we realize that this is SNOW. It’s still not cold enough to stick but it’s just very slushy.
As we approach the junction for the East entrance and Roosevelt lodge, we notice that the thing we came out to look at (petrified tree), the road was closed. With no explanation as to why the road was closed we continued on to what little road was still left open. As we pull up the road to “tower falls” we notice traffic was at a total stop. When traffic stops we know to stop. But this time, we were a little annoyed b/c we couldn’t see anything and nobody was moving. Finally we were able to pass….and just when that happened, we saw what people were looking at. Yup it was a BLACK BEAR. This bear looked to be pretty young still but hey, we got a quick picture and checked it off our list of things we are looking for.
We were surprised that tower falls was even open but I’m glad that it was. Yup another waterfall that was pouring buckets of water. I do have to say that spring is the best time for waterfalls.
After that waterfall the only way out was to go the way you came back in. So a thought started to brew in our heads. We really wanted to see this petrified tree and no signs as to why we couldn’t hike in were posted so we pulled off to the side of the road and start to gear up in all snow gear. Yup, snow jackets, gloves, sweatshirts, boots and so on. Only one problem. We forgot out snow pants in our cabin. Oh well….so we start to hike in the ¼ mile, keeping our eyes pealed for bears and bison. We also picked up a stick just in case. Just about the time we approach the petrified tree….the rain starts to turn to snow. Yup full on SNOW BLIZZARD. We quickly take a picture and high tail it back to the car. Once we return to the car, we both agreed….yup, that wasn’t worth it. We could have skipped that part of today, but the snow was awesome. And those snow pants….yeah we could have used them. We were soaked.
So on our way to the second part of the day we stop at the cabin and change into proper snow gear as this was probably the only day we would be able to use it. (glad we did…we were warm and dry now)
The second part of our day was spent on the east side. On our normal road out we come across road block two of the day and boy are we glad to stopped. This was a quick one…something Sean was wanting and dying to see the entire trip. A WOLF! He was moving quickly so I told Sean to quickly take a picture…at that time when the window was down and the wolf was trotting across the landscape, he was making his howling noises. I quickly turned off the air and any noise making just to listen. It was awesome to listen to this wolf in the wild.
At this part of the park, it was just a snow blizzard again and it was sticking. I’m sure our entire front of the car looked white but we didn’t stop in time to take a picture b/c it was too cold and not easy to stop.
So the east side of the park had it moments. It defiantly had a tone of “grand.” Everything that we saw was just huge. First stop was the lower and upper falls of Yellowstone. Just amazing…but I have to say, the water was very dirty. Not white like all the other falls we had seen. At the lower falls was also the grand canyon of Yellowstone. Impressive but not the grand canyon.
Next stop was the Yellowstone lake. Again since it was bad weather, it was hard to make out the full perimeter of the lake but we could tell this thing was HUGE. The lake was still frozen over so we took a quick photo and headed back to our cabin.
6pm rolls around and it’s dinner time. Just before leaving I was going to set the crock pot again but discovered that the meat I had brought went bad so we had to resort to a back up plan…dinner at the dining hall.
This place was a JOKE. We at here on Sunday night, and wasn’t at all impressed but since a full blizzard was here and going to stay, traveling was not an option and we were starving. So as this was the only place in a 30 mile radius we sucked it up and waited the 30minutes to get a table, then had the most horrible service. Boy am I thankful for California places. They know what QUICK is.
At dinner Sean decided to try Bison. He said was like a really good burger. I was too chicken (very unlike me) to try it. He’s got something on me then.
Tomorrow is the south, and Tetons
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Day 3, Monday
Day 3 had proved to be the most testing day. Lack of quality sleep and a long day to boot has tested us.
Before leaving our cabin I made sure to put our dinner in the crock pot. We had brought up some stew meat that was frozen and by now has defrosted in our cooler/refrigerator. Sean the previous day was looking around our room and found a sign on our door that says “no cooking with a possible fine.” That scared us but made us wonder if a crock pot was a cooking mechanism. We took the chance and hung the “do not disturb” sign on the door in hopes that no maids would come to tidy up.
Off we go…our first stop was a GIANT hot springs area that we had missed the day prior. Boy am I glad that we had stopped. It was probably the coolest hot springs were had seen all day. Just acres and cliffs full of them, with crazy rock formations, and bright brilliant colors. This was the best photography location by far for the day.
Oh and on a side note…this park is a photographers DREAM. If I only had a $3000 telephoto lens to capture some of the animals like I was sitting next to them this would be perfect. (highly recommend renting an expensive telephoto if you can afford one and you come here).
Our mission was to hit Old Faithful today. During our trip south, we saw many hot spring and I had a few stops of locations in particular that I wanted to check out. Well…since it is EARLY spring here in Yellowstone, we have soon come to the realization that some of these locations are not going to be open just yet. I have come to terms with that in compromise of absolutely no traffic and crowds. It’s been WONDERFUL. I highly recommend coming in an off peak season. Yes some of the “off the beaten path” things are not open yet, and hiking is at a very minimum as most trails are snowed over or “closed for bear hibernation/eating” but you will get to see all the main attractions.
So we finally hit Old Faithful. We wander up to the visitors center to find out what time the next eruption is I forgot to call and find out. To our surprise, we only had to wait about 20 minutes.
Old Faithful kind of reminds me of a show at an amusement park. It attracts everyone. They have it set up like an arena, with rows and rows of benches doing a ½ moon around it. So during our wait a lovely lil rain storm shows up. Yup that is right, sweatshirt and jeans and here we are soaking in the rain. Thank goodness it doesn’t last long.
So at approx 2:09pm (plus or minus 10 minutes) was our eruption time. Just a few minutes after 2:09pm, she starts to bubble then she spewed! After a few short moments her eruption dies down to about half her size then quietly goes back into her hole. Once was all said and done, Sean and I both looked at each other and decided that it wasn’t all that it was hyped up to be. But then again we were sitting 100 yards away for safety.
After that, I wanted to visit the Old Faithful Inn. It was built in 1904 (going off of memory) and has a huge fireplace (8 to be exact) all made out of stone, and the building was built with logs. The map of this area was not very friendly, we missed the turn out and decided to travel south on the main road and see if we saw anything else and then we would come back. Nope, the south end of the park is just snow snow and more snow. Walls of snow. This part of the park was boring! So we made a quick turn around about 10 minutes in and headed back to find that Inn.
We finally arrived. I’m glad we stopped it was pretty cool and Sean finally came around to the idea after seeing it. He wasn’t all to fond of stopping at first. He just thought it was going to be just some “hotel”. The hotel itself was very dark, but that was what it was like for that time period. We then headed up to the second floor where in our book we were advised that this level there was an outdoor deck where you could get drinks and watch old faithful again. By about this time, we had wasted another 90 minutes and in just a few moments it was going to erupt again. Yup, the second time was much better and larger. Still not oober shocked but glad that we saw it again.
Oh yeah…animals. Lets see, crowds have been our friends on the highway. When you see a crowd, you know it’s something good and to PULL OVER. Our first crowd was bear #1. He was a grizzly. He was doing some grazing, but was making the rangers mad as I guess he was crossing the highway several times a day for a few weeks now. They wish he would just sit still but nope, he just wants to show off.
Second animal stopping was grizzly #2 on our way back from old faithful. He had captured a large bird and was having some dinner. He then thought that was boring and went back to grazing, and walking toward the highway. At that point the ranger said for all of us to get back in our cars. I’m convinced it’s the same bear from the AM. He was a teaser.
As we arrived home, we didn’t know if out crock pot to be gone, or a fine slapped on our bills. We lucked out and our crock pot was still in our room, plugged in and dinner was ready.
PS – dinner was yummy!
After dinner we headed off for a little historical walk in mammoth springs and then turned in early for a movie “bolt” on the laptop and early bed it was. We were both spent from our few days.
Before leaving our cabin I made sure to put our dinner in the crock pot. We had brought up some stew meat that was frozen and by now has defrosted in our cooler/refrigerator. Sean the previous day was looking around our room and found a sign on our door that says “no cooking with a possible fine.” That scared us but made us wonder if a crock pot was a cooking mechanism. We took the chance and hung the “do not disturb” sign on the door in hopes that no maids would come to tidy up.
Off we go…our first stop was a GIANT hot springs area that we had missed the day prior. Boy am I glad that we had stopped. It was probably the coolest hot springs were had seen all day. Just acres and cliffs full of them, with crazy rock formations, and bright brilliant colors. This was the best photography location by far for the day.
Oh and on a side note…this park is a photographers DREAM. If I only had a $3000 telephoto lens to capture some of the animals like I was sitting next to them this would be perfect. (highly recommend renting an expensive telephoto if you can afford one and you come here).
Our mission was to hit Old Faithful today. During our trip south, we saw many hot spring and I had a few stops of locations in particular that I wanted to check out. Well…since it is EARLY spring here in Yellowstone, we have soon come to the realization that some of these locations are not going to be open just yet. I have come to terms with that in compromise of absolutely no traffic and crowds. It’s been WONDERFUL. I highly recommend coming in an off peak season. Yes some of the “off the beaten path” things are not open yet, and hiking is at a very minimum as most trails are snowed over or “closed for bear hibernation/eating” but you will get to see all the main attractions.
So we finally hit Old Faithful. We wander up to the visitors center to find out what time the next eruption is I forgot to call and find out. To our surprise, we only had to wait about 20 minutes.
Old Faithful kind of reminds me of a show at an amusement park. It attracts everyone. They have it set up like an arena, with rows and rows of benches doing a ½ moon around it. So during our wait a lovely lil rain storm shows up. Yup that is right, sweatshirt and jeans and here we are soaking in the rain. Thank goodness it doesn’t last long.
So at approx 2:09pm (plus or minus 10 minutes) was our eruption time. Just a few minutes after 2:09pm, she starts to bubble then she spewed! After a few short moments her eruption dies down to about half her size then quietly goes back into her hole. Once was all said and done, Sean and I both looked at each other and decided that it wasn’t all that it was hyped up to be. But then again we were sitting 100 yards away for safety.
After that, I wanted to visit the Old Faithful Inn. It was built in 1904 (going off of memory) and has a huge fireplace (8 to be exact) all made out of stone, and the building was built with logs. The map of this area was not very friendly, we missed the turn out and decided to travel south on the main road and see if we saw anything else and then we would come back. Nope, the south end of the park is just snow snow and more snow. Walls of snow. This part of the park was boring! So we made a quick turn around about 10 minutes in and headed back to find that Inn.
We finally arrived. I’m glad we stopped it was pretty cool and Sean finally came around to the idea after seeing it. He wasn’t all to fond of stopping at first. He just thought it was going to be just some “hotel”. The hotel itself was very dark, but that was what it was like for that time period. We then headed up to the second floor where in our book we were advised that this level there was an outdoor deck where you could get drinks and watch old faithful again. By about this time, we had wasted another 90 minutes and in just a few moments it was going to erupt again. Yup, the second time was much better and larger. Still not oober shocked but glad that we saw it again.
Oh yeah…animals. Lets see, crowds have been our friends on the highway. When you see a crowd, you know it’s something good and to PULL OVER. Our first crowd was bear #1. He was a grizzly. He was doing some grazing, but was making the rangers mad as I guess he was crossing the highway several times a day for a few weeks now. They wish he would just sit still but nope, he just wants to show off.
Second animal stopping was grizzly #2 on our way back from old faithful. He had captured a large bird and was having some dinner. He then thought that was boring and went back to grazing, and walking toward the highway. At that point the ranger said for all of us to get back in our cars. I’m convinced it’s the same bear from the AM. He was a teaser.
As we arrived home, we didn’t know if out crock pot to be gone, or a fine slapped on our bills. We lucked out and our crock pot was still in our room, plugged in and dinner was ready.
PS – dinner was yummy!
After dinner we headed off for a little historical walk in mammoth springs and then turned in early for a movie “bolt” on the laptop and early bed it was. We were both spent from our few days.
Day 2 Sunday
Morning started at about 8am with a good workout. I’ve gotta keep moving if I’m going to ever drop some pounds but more importantly, my legs were itching to get some movement.
After a shower, getting the boy out of bed (and asking if he slept well, and we both agreed no…the hotel thought that putting “tempurpedic beds in would attract people. We couldn’t figure out how to roll over. It just sucks you in), breakfast and packing up the car we were off once again. A few minutes later then anticipated but none the less, still on the road.
Once we hit the highway panic set in. I started looking at the directions I forgot that they put me into the middle of
About 1 hour before the park entrance we started climbing into mountain territory. In the distance we saw a mountain range just COVERED with blankets of snow. I told Sean to hold on it might be a few rough days with the cold. He said he was ready.
As we were getting deeper into the mountains it started getting AMAZING. Bright blue skies, dense forests of green pine trees, ground covered with snow, and glass looking lakes. It couldn’t be any more beautiful.
About 45 minutes into pleeeeeeeease pull over…I want to take a picture and Sean saying, you’re going to have 3 days of this, just hold your horses, we arrive at
I had informed Sean to see if we could get a second park map when we paid our dues (one for the scrap book), the park ranger informed us that he could not give out a second due to tight funds and not enough to go around. Everyone is feeling it. So sad.
The next part of our journey is the part in which we say “
Oh and by the way, the weather, yeah snow is on the ground but nothing more than a sweatshirt and a Kleenex to keep your nose from running will keep you from hiking and seeing everything that it has to offer. We have lucked out big time. Thunder storms were predicted for tonight but nothing so far but Tuesday is saying snow/rain…we’ll see.
So we continue on. Just shortly after leaving the field of animals we are greated by yet another bison just chill’n on the open road going for a stroll in the opposite direction. By now we’re thinking this is a VERY usual occurrence.
22 miles into the park Sean quickly pulls over for our first hot spring. Talk about colors. We were expecting smell, but this one didn’t smell at all. It defiantly was bubbling and steaming though.
After about 45 more minutes on the road (PS – nice roads…not like mountains, these are flat and straight. Nice for the lady with a race car husband) I’m being told to look over a cliff. I immediatly tell him I don’t know what he’s talking about and what all these people are looking at. So I get out of the car and look over. I’m glad I got out of the car b/c this was a priority list of things to see….A GIANT WATERFALL! I love these. And with all the snow melting it was just pouring buckets of water.
Ok, skipping to our hotel. We arrive at our hotel/cabin about 5:30PM. We check in and the lady that was helping us was very nice. So I was curious about how employment worked in this giant park. So I questioned her do you guys drive in every day…She responded that they live inside Yellowstone in dorms and that pretty much everyone in the park that works also lives in the park. I thought that was very interesting given her age (40’s and all the others working with her). Sean and I afterwards kinda went, uh well what do they do in the off season. (Side note, everyone was wearing a name badge that also listed where they were from and it ranged from all over the
So hotel, I thought that we were going to be inside the main building. No I guess we get an individual bungalow cabin. We pull around back and check it out. Yup, it’s our own cabin. Separated from the main building but with all the things I knew it was going to be lacking. TV, Internet, Phone…I knew it was not going to be in the room but then reality set in. Hmm….what are we going to do with our time?
By this time, the crankies and the grumps have arrived…hunger, exhaustion and all the emotions that go with a road trip. So we quickly decide to check out the 1 and only dinner facility on our side of the park. The only other place is about 100 miles away. We take a look at the menu and most of it is pretty obscure including a lot of bison. Sean and I didn’t seem in the mood to try anything funky at a very expensive price tag so we stuck to something simple and enjoyed.
After dinner, we knew that we had passed a huge set of
It was almost like a cemetery for some of the
After our adventure we headed to the gift shop. I wanted to check out the “purchasing selection.” Upon checkout and Sean asking out cashier what he thought was cool he informed us that right at that very moment 7:30pm was the perfect opportunity to find wolfs and bears. I guess they like to come out right before night fall and just before sunrise. We jumped at that opportunity and drove down the road about 30 miles. After much searching, we were not as lucky and were not able to find any bears or wolfs but did find out that it stays light out until about 9pm. Something we both didn’t anticipate.
Now in our “cabin” we find ourselves listening to the drone of a refrigerator cooler, and any little noise that we might make. I have to admit, the cabins is VERY clean and very newely renovated, but as Sean and I walked back from dinner and reminisce and try and put a finger on just what we’re feeling, we finally nailed it. It feels like 6th grade camp.
More adventures to come tomorrow
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Day 1 - Saturday May 9th, 09
Beep! Beep! Beep!, the alarm sounded at 7am to alert me that it was time to get out of bed and finish up packing and load the vehicle. Just about 7:45am, Seans out of bed and ready to help. We finalize the packing and start loading. Just about 8:20am the car is packed and to our surprise we are out the door only 20 minutes late (very shocking for a Plunkett) and we hit the road.
11:45am rolls around and we've hit Vegas. We had to cancel plans with a friend/cousin who was in town b/c she started shooting for the day on "Top Chef" just about the time that we would be arriving in Vegas. We miss her dearly. We fill up on gas and get a bite to eat our of cooler and hit the road once again.
Just a few short hours later we're cruising along and I quickly point out to my driver (aka Sean) that we're making AWESOME time. He quickly glances over and chuckles, uh don't look at how fast we're going. Soon after that point and just a few hundred miles into Utah, whoot whoot.....sirens.....and a black dodge charger come roaring around a big rig and Sean got nailed! My thoughts quickly turn to not anger but rather laughter and the thought "AH HA!, You can no longer rib it in my face that you don't have a ticket...."
The officer did hand over the ticket and said he wrote the ticket down...and also a list of the fines and how to pay it as well as complete traffic school. After a quick tabulation, the fine was only $82, but the ticket processing was $55 and traffic school another 30. Hehe, and it wasn't even in the cobra. :P
Just about 5pm, we're sick of seeing the car but have had miles of beautiful Utah mountains, snow and greenery. We pass by BYU and then just a few short miles later we hit our exit. Thank goodness! We check in to our holiday inn express, and find a place to eat.
While locating our place for dinner, we locate a movie theater and arrange an 8pm movie for Star trek. I'm totally not a "trekkie" but the husband wanted to see it, so I said lets go for it.
Now we have prepared to settle in for the night and get some sleep, then up early to work out and get my tired legs moving and then off to YELLOWSTONE. More to come later....
11:45am rolls around and we've hit Vegas. We had to cancel plans with a friend/cousin who was in town b/c she started shooting for the day on "Top Chef" just about the time that we would be arriving in Vegas. We miss her dearly. We fill up on gas and get a bite to eat our of cooler and hit the road once again.
Just a few short hours later we're cruising along and I quickly point out to my driver (aka Sean) that we're making AWESOME time. He quickly glances over and chuckles, uh don't look at how fast we're going. Soon after that point and just a few hundred miles into Utah, whoot whoot.....sirens.....and a black dodge charger come roaring around a big rig and Sean got nailed! My thoughts quickly turn to not anger but rather laughter and the thought "AH HA!, You can no longer rib it in my face that you don't have a ticket...."
The officer did hand over the ticket and said he wrote the ticket down...and also a list of the fines and how to pay it as well as complete traffic school. After a quick tabulation, the fine was only $82, but the ticket processing was $55 and traffic school another 30. Hehe, and it wasn't even in the cobra. :P
Just about 5pm, we're sick of seeing the car but have had miles of beautiful Utah mountains, snow and greenery. We pass by BYU and then just a few short miles later we hit our exit. Thank goodness! We check in to our holiday inn express, and find a place to eat.
While locating our place for dinner, we locate a movie theater and arrange an 8pm movie for Star trek. I'm totally not a "trekkie" but the husband wanted to see it, so I said lets go for it.
Now we have prepared to settle in for the night and get some sleep, then up early to work out and get my tired legs moving and then off to YELLOWSTONE. More to come later....
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