The run northward had kicked off really well in Jackson, and the next move was to Yellowstone National Park. The drive is a non-stop scenic view show that seldom disappoints. I had travelled this road a few years back on a solo epic of my own, and was blown away. It was no less spectacular this time around. Plus, now I was able to share it with my wife, Christine. We were getting good luck all the way north so far, and it seemed the blessings would continue.
^North of Jackson, and on the way to Yellowstone, is Grand Teton National Park. It has a unique history, and this view of Christine and I overlooking Jackson Lake with the Tetons towering over it is all-time. Pretty spectacular.
^After the scenic drive north through Grand Teton National Park, we soon entered the destination at Yellowstone National Park. We quickly set up our campsite, and got back on the road because we were only going to have barely two days in the park. We began on the west side near our camping spot at Grant Village. We worked our way up the western side of the park. Our first stop was the all to famous, Old Faithful. When I came through years ago I did not stop there so neither Christine nor I had ever seen it. We decided it had to be in and thankfully we rolled up, took a seat, and within five minutes of our arrival it was erupting.
^Oooohhh, aaaahhhh. Click... and see ya. We were gone, and on to the next. The whole experience was crammed into about a twenty minute show. Then we were off to another Yellowstone attraction. It was kind of funny to us how we were just working our way up the road north like a Disney style attraction from one crazy natural feature to the next. We downloaded an app for our iPhones that also guided us through the park, but it was sub-par at best. Despite any disappointing technology, or corny amusement park jokes, we saw some amazing sights that truly blew our minds. It really is like no other place that I know of. I will let the pictures do most of the talking.
^What the?
^Really, really hot, but pretty damn cool.
^Really?
^"Seriously... are we here right now. Is this for real? You better take my picture."
^It is all real, and it is all so crazy. You really are in the belly of a volcano. It is a surreal experience. Colors so vibrant that you want to touch them, but water so hot it would scorch your ass if you tried. Sometimes, I'd try to envision the early explorers coming upon this place and just freaking out at what they were seeing. We called it a day as the sun was going down so that we could operate around our camp with at least a little light. We had to make dinner and get to bed early, because the next day we were cruising up the east side toward a rendezvous with our good friend Spencer Porter in Gardner, Montana, at the north entrance to the park.
^As we were sharing a breakfast burrito, and speeding up the east side of the park, we ran into all sorts of wildlife. This stoic fella was feeding in the meadow near the road. He was unphased by our pulled over picture extravaganza. He gave us this look, and then proceed to eat his breakfast. It seems we are all on somewhat of the same schedule despite our vastly different existences. So, Christine and I got back on the road, and did the same with our own steamy monster burrito breakfast.
^This big guy is doing some breakfast grubbing of his own.
^Dealing with the morning commute.
^He is in no hurry. He makes the rules around here.
^ As we neared the northern entrance we passed through this wild hoodoo section. It was pretty eerie in there. It was a really neat spot, and the app did inform us that it had historical significance to almost every culture that ever passed through it. I can see and feel why.
^Of course, at Mammoth Hot Springs, near the northern entrance to the park, was a fitting good-bye for us. As we passed through the small outpost spot there were deer just laying out in the sun in the town square type area. It was pretty entertaining to see them milling amongst the humans without a care in the world. They know where they are. There was a park ranger on point watching over them to make sure no silly human felt too invited by the deer's calm welcoming attitudes to make a bad human decision. I smiled as I drove by and put the cap on the Yellowstone leg of our trip. We were looking forward to our next adventure that was to accompany our rendezvous with Porter. Yes, we all call him by his last name. I had not seen him in some time. Both Christine and I were super excited to get there. He was going to be taking us down the Yellowstone River in his drift boat in the afternoon. We'd also be bunking at this crash pad in a more proper home with a real bathroom that night. All that alone was exciting enough, but we also had our sights set on riding near Big Sky resort, and partying a bit with our good friend in Bozeman, Montana.