Fishing Bridge

Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park. Our Destination, in honor of Don's milestone birthday and it turned out that this year is the National Parks 100 year birthday! How perfect!

Our home base during our four days in Yellowstone would be the Fishing Bridge RV park. From there we would venture out to explore different areas of the park. I had been there once, for a day, about ten years ago, and while I found the park beautiful, it was during this visit, that I felt I got a much better feel for the park.  Yellowstone is a special place, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the world and even though millions of visitors ascend on the park each year, from all over the planet, we still felt small and isolated as we explored the park. Especially amongst the countless bison that we encountered whatever direction we went in. A not so small reminder that natural world runs things.

During our time at Yellowstone, we got to witness and learn about geysers and hot springs. We got up close to wild animals including an eagles nest, elk, antelope and the ancient bison. And we took several hikes amongst brilliant and breathtaking landscape (although, it stopped us in our tracks to see an enormous bison lying just off the trail when we were far, far from the safety of our RV!)

Photographing in Yellowstone was like being a kid in a candy store.  As I poured over what to choose for this post, I realize this one has to be an overview and I will have to breakdown the different days because, there was just so much to take in; so much to absorb. Yellowstone is just that massive and magnificent. 






 

 

Grand Teton

We spent a short but sweet day in Grand Teton National Park. We arrived a little on the late side but not that late that we couldn't unpack our bikes and go for ride down to Colter Bay, near to where we were RV'ing for the night. The awe inspiring mountains were food for the soul. For me personally, it was a wonderful homecoming to get back on my Specialized Mountain bike that has been in my life since it became my mode of transportation when I started Prescott College back in 1987. I took the opportunity to go on a few short rides through the park, off on some trails by myself. So rejuvenating. 

In the morning, after a campground breakfast, we coaxed Havana into a hike (Baby Girl is usually not keen on hiking; usually has a magical time once she gets going but usually ends up on Don's shoulders!) around the lake where we stood in awe of the majestic tetons that have remained the same for ions and we had to do a lot of convincing to leave the rocks they collected on the beach! 

We left Grand Teton relaxed and ready for the next leg of our journey; Yellowstone......

Sunflower Girls

 

Lava Hot Springs

Part of the joy of travel is finding new places to explore.  Thus, I love the pre-trip planning. Yes, it takes me out of the moment but it also allows me to sense into places and get an intuitive sense about it. That helps me decide where to go.

One of the places I got a good hit on, was Lava Hot Springs. Months ago, I found this sweet little town, hidden in a valley in Southeast Idaho, famous for it's hot springs as well as a popular tubing destination. The olympic pool complex, complete with a kids play area, geothermal jacuzzi and water slides (complete with two tube slides and two with a 60 ft drop that took this crazy mama up to a speed of over 30 mph) made for a perfect two day stop after two hard days on the road.

Lava Hot Springs turned out to be a huge hit. Havana who didn't want to tube or "making any campground friends" ending up doing just that! She was brave enough to go down the river twice and made a new friend, Apsara, and her brother Fabio who we would later meet up with at the waterpark and then for dinner with her family (and then days later see at Yellowstone). (another reason I love to travel are the people you meet.) Amara enjoyed all of it. She got afraid at first to try the tube slides but after that girlfriend even went on the high diving board (well, the second highest, the tallest was 30 ft) and later on she tried the hot pools at the mineral springs (they run from 102 to 112).

We sure slept well that night in Lava after a full day of sun and water fun,  our RV parked next to the river. Sweet sounds to drift off to. Thank you Lava Hot Springs for helping us make some great memories.

Lava Hot Springs

408 Miles

That is approximately how many hours we drove on Day 2. If we were in the SUV that may have been brutal but in the RV, with big windows, the ability to walk around and the option of lying down in the loft to watch Rio, it made it very doable. Still, it was a long day. Along the way we:

Had a failed attempt at seeing a Ghost Town.

Picked wild sage along the side of the road.

Saw miles of corn and countless sunflowers.

Stopped at a casino on the Nevada/Idaho border where Amara and I got asked to leave after we found out she wasn't allowed to be there. But not before we won 75 cents.

Stopped in the Walmart in Porticello where we picked up supplies. Who knew I could find a Hawaiian themed beach towel for $7.00 and organic products in a Walmart?!

Passed through breathtaking valleys and stark, majestic mountains and barren plains.

Made new friends at our campground.

Traveling is about being in the moment and enjoying what shows ups. So far, it's been a hit!

Road Trippin

We are officially on the road. We have set off on our 14 day journey in honor of Don's milestone 60th birthday. For years, I have heard tales of the Coughlin family trip to Yellowstone. Don's retelling of seeing Old Faithful, a bear being stuck under their tent and other lasting memories inspired him to want to take our family on a similar adventure. 

There is much to say of our first days;  mostly photos of our days on the road. So far this is what we are experiencing and know about RV'ing and mind you we are only on Day 3.

Pro's:

It's great being self-contained; Unlike packing up to move from hotel to hotel, all we have to do is unplug our hookups, make sure things are secure (we learned the hard way about falling objects) and off we go.

It's really nice being able to make a quick PBJ or get some snacks without having to stop. That and having the bathroom has saved us several hours in pit-stop time.  As it was, we drove about 6-8 hours the first two days. Or rather, Don did. He rocks.

The RV communities so far have been supernice. Havana initially said "I don't want to make any campground friends" but by day two she made a friend who we ended up spending a good portion of the day with in and about Lava Hot Springs.

Con's:

The RV is a bit of a beast so you have to keep two hands on the wheel to drive and you have to be careful navigating turns and being mindful in parking lots.

The cost of gas is obscene. Yes, it hold 55 gallons but it only gets 8 miles to the gallon. Still, by the time you add up restaurant costs, hotel rates, car rental and air fare, the cost is equal to air travel.

Don feels it is not like 'real' camping and he has a point. But at this stage in my life, being older parents with younger kids, having all these comforts is appealing. 

We are currently in Lava Hot Springs. We spent our first night in Winnemuca, NV and then drove here the second day. We attempted to see a Ghost Town in Deeth, NV but it was a dud! Not one old house, not one Ghost! We did stop at a Casino where I played one slot machine and won .75 cents! Woo hoo!

Next post I will share our day river tubing, water park sliding and mineral springs soaking. Oh, that and losing my phone to water damage after I foolishly tried to take a photo by the river and it fell in. It was yet another lesson in letting go!  For now, we are going to hunker down and call it a night because we are all pooped after a sun drenched day of fun.

 

 

 

Road Trippin