Heeeeyy, Boo Boo...
Trip Start
May 07, 2011
1
9
22
Trip End
May 30, 2011
Where I stayed
Hampton Inn
What I did
Dinner at Yellowstone Inn (Old Faithful)
Gardiner, Montana
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Yogi Berra
The big sky was littered with clouds as we crossed over the state line into Montana. The sun still managed to sneak through several areas to spotlight random mountains in the distance. We were on our way to visit the Custer Battlefield Monument.
After crossing the Little Big Horn River, we made our way past the empty guard gate and went into the visitor center to present our park passes. I love the passes. It feels like we're getting in for free, something that the excites the cheapskate in me.
We watched a short movie about the battle and then toured the national cemetery and the markers where the bodies of the soldiers ( including Custer) were found. "There we were against the Indians... two vs. a thousand....toughest two Indians I've ever seen" Bob Hope gets the credit for the line but I stole it for the moment.
We left the battlefield and headed to one of our ultimate destinations, Yellowstone National Park. About five miles shy of Yellowstone we had a slight traffic delay due to a bison (or buffalo, depending on your preference) that was walking in our lane on the highway. We passed within about 10 feet of him. This was a prelude of things to come. Photographs of several bison encounters are included.
Yellowstone is HUGE. Old Faithful is located 52 miles from the north entrance to the park. We rode the distance through the park, much of it with snow banks piled four to six feet high on either side of the road. Had dinner waiting for the next eruption but then managed to miss it as the waiter was slow bringing us the bill. I wanted to go back in and take back his tip. Photos of the near miss are included.
Total Miles: 3067
Comments
Awesome photos, cool shots of the bison too!
Don't feel too sorry for Wayne not getting to see Old Faithful in all it's glory. He somehow managed to get us seated in the dining room of the Old Faithful Inn which is a reservation only restaurant. Two parties were turned away while I was looking over the menu posted at the entrance. The prime rib buffet was the best meal of the trip. Missing the first thirty seconds of the geyser was not that much of a hardship.
I'm a day late in commenting but, I must say that in my opinion this was the most beautiful place yet. The mountains, the animals, the views. Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing the pics and the thoughts. Stay safe guys!!!
Thank you, Dawnie