Saturday, 27 June 2015

First Day In Yellowstone National Park

19 September 2014
Weather: Sunny and 20C

Jackson Lake Marina


We awoke to a fine day, checked out of the cabin and drove around to the marina to have a look at Jackson Lake.  We bought some food for our breakfast at the General Store and then started to drive to Yellowstone National Park.  


Not long after leaving Colter Bay Village, Justin notified me of an Elk Stag in the forest and I catch a glimpse as we kept driving.  I had read that you are not to stop on the road to take photos but one is to continue to a stopping bay which there was none on this stretch of road.  We will later learn that no-one seems to obey this rule but they are in place to prevent motor vehicle accidents and traffic jams. 

Entrance to Yellowstone National Park
We drove north to West Thumb where we stopped to see the geysers.  It was at West Thumb that some Asian tourists spotted a couple of Elk Cows in the forest, great spotting as I would have missed them.  We took some photos as the springs are very interesting because of the different shapes and colours.  At this point we did not see any geysers erupt.  

Elk Cow at West Thumb
Elk Cow at West Thumb




Me at West Thumb
Fishing Cone, West Thumb

We then headed to Canyon Village passing through Hayden Valley where we saw plenty of Bison.  The reason we travelled the long way around was because Craig Pass was closed for roadworks.  A few months before going on our trip I read about the road closure and was disappointed as it meant that we had to travel further and it would have been better for us to fly to Livingstone instead.  But the upside is we got to see the beautiful Grand Teton National Park and more of Yellowstone National Park than what we had planned.  In the Hayden Valley we got out of the car and took photos of the bison.  

Justin at Hayden Valley with Bison grazing

Continuing on our drive Justin drove to Norris and then onto Madison where we stopped to take more geyser photos.  We passed Lower, Midway, Biscuit and Upper Geyser Basins as we neared Old Faithful.  We stopped at the General Store at Old Faithfull for lunch, where I had the Chili Nachos and Justin had a burger and chips.  We checked in the Old Faithful Inn which is a very interesting place to stay, as the architect of the building is fascinating and atmospheric.  That afternoon we attended the Ranger led “Animals in the Wildlife” talk.  It is very informative and even though it is designed for children it is good for adults who have not visited Yellowstone National Park before or for some time.  Once the talk was over we strolled across to Old Faithful to see it erupt for the first time during our stay.  Yes it is truly worth the visit.  

Old Faithful Geyser
Old Faithful Erupting










We spent some time during the afternoon doing our laundry at the Old Faithful Lodge.  Handy note the laundry facilities are in high demand so expect to wait to use the washers and dryers.  At 7:00pm we attended the evening activity a presentation about how Yellowstone National Park came about and how it has shaped the USA.  An hour after the presentation we had tea at the Old Faithful Inn Dining Room.  I had the Smoked Bison Bratwurst and Spicy Chicken & Pheasant Sausage.  Justin had the Bison Pot Roast.  

Bison Pot Pie
Bison Bratwurst and
Chicken & Pheasant Sausage













After dinner we retired to our room for the night.  We showered and called it a night.  I was not impressed as there was no hot water when I had a shower that evening and with the cold weather it wasn't pleasant.

Our room at Old Faithful Inn


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