So – MiniMagic and Magic Carpet headed north to Yellowstone NP. ALWAYS taking the road less travelled, the Pioneer Historic Byway was the route this morning. Sights such as the Soda Springs Geyser, a landmark on the Oregon Trail attracting pioneers to its mineral springs, and the Bear River Massacre Site, where the single largest massacre of Native Americans by US troops west of the Mississippi took place, were seen along the way. On a more positive note, there was beautiful scenery including fall colors, which were sadly lacking in Park City;-(

Our home base while visiting Yellowstone would be Gardiner, MT, the little town at the North Entrance to the park, which is guarded by the Roosevelt Arch. A wonderful structure that probably would NOT be approved today, it provides a grand entryway to the first National Park. In 1903, the arch was dedicated by President Theodore Roosevelt, who laid the cornerstone. It is composed of hundreds of tons of native columnar basalt that were hauled from a nearby quarry and rises 50 feet high. The inscription on the plaque on the Arch is from the 1872 legislation that established the National Park: “For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People”. We love this area of the Park and drive through the Arch every chance we get;-)

Gardiner is only a short 5 miles to Mammoth Hot Springs, a favorite area of ours for so many reasons. Since it is at the very northwest corner of the park (and some distance from Old Faithful), it is not as heavily visited. Yet it is full of history, ever-changing travertine terraces AND herds of elk;-)!!

Just imagine in 1872 the creation of a “National Park” -the first NP – and what that might have meant. It was established as such to protect the land, its features and the animals. But, there was no Bureau or National Park Rangers to watch over the land or administer/admonish visitors. But, now people were coming to see what was so beautiful and unusual that it had to be protected and saved for “the enjoyment of the people”. Visitors were just as stupid then as now – jumping into bubbling pools, throwing rocks into geysers and climbing on fragile ecosystems. Finally the US Army was called upon to protect the park in its first decades. Therefore, an Army fort was originally housed at Mammoth Hot Springs and one can still take a self-guided tour of the installation.

Travertine Terraces are also found at Mammoth Hot Springs, where the interactions of water and limestone create chalk-white travertine. These terraces are among the fastest changing features in the park. Canary Spring is a beautiful cascade of terraces – and just happened to provide a resting area for a bugling stag elk and his harem the day of our visit – –

The Lamar Valley drive is a must when visiting Yellowstone. It is home to herds of bison and elk AND black and grizzly bears as well as wolves. Unfortunately, no wolf sightings this trip and the only bear was some distance away. But, lots of other wildlife.

If one continues out the northeast entrance of the Park, it is possible to experience the Beartooth Scenic Byway. Designated an All-American Road in 2002, it has been described as ‘the most beautiful drive in America’. This 68-mile drive reaches heights of nearly 11,000′ and offers skycap views of snowcapped peaks glaciers, alpine lakes and plateaus. Here we go on a new experience – and one that should have come long ago!

Another day and back into the Park – today was geyser day. First up – Norris Geyser Basin, the park’s hottest, most dynamic geyser basin. It includes Steamboat, the world’s tallest geyser. Unfortunately, Steamboat is VERY unpredictable erupting every 3 days to 50 years!! It did go off on 9/11/21 at 6:39 in the morning – but we missed it;-( The Basin is a must (sometimes one needs lunch first, though!).

A short drive south to Lower Geyser Basin and another favorite – The Great Fountain Geyser on the Firehole Lake Drive. The Great Fountain Geyser is a little more predictable than Steamboat, as it goes off almost every day. The hour varies but is estimated by the park rangers +/- 2 hours. So – everyone just goes out, parks and waits – with several hundred of one’s closest friends – –

Yellowstone NP is truly a wonder to behold. Get out there and enjoy it!!!

And, if you are camping, consider Rocky Mountain Campground in Gardner. It is the best and comes with a herd of elk that bugle morning and night and wander through the campground. What could be better?!?!

And it was time for us to move on, also. It is very hard to say good-bye to Yellowstone. But, we’ll be back for more I’m sure. For now, on to Chelan with a temporary stop at a wonderful little campground (Nugget RV Park) in St. Regis, MT.

Can’t say enough about our National Parks – except get out and find out how wonderful they are for yourselves!!!

Enjoying – E & G