We were beyond excited to get to Yellowstone, the world’s first national park, after our breathtaking stay just down the road at Grand Teton National Park.
This is the big daddy of national parks. It’s the one on everyone’s bucket list. Being smack in the middle of summer, it sure did feel like a majority of those people decided to check it off this year! Jam packed is an understatement.
If you haven’t been here, what you should know is it primarily a drive and stop park. Meaning you drive to different locations and the attractions are typically just a quick walk from the parking lot. Every fascinating must see stop is in an opposite direction so prepare to spend a lot of time on your tushy.
Your numb behind won’t matter one bit though, because with every stop you make, you will feel like you were transported to another country or another planet all together. Like you went through a wormhole and came out the other side to some new universe.
One moment you may be gazing into pools so blue that you think you are in Greece.
The next you feel like you are on Mars marveling at the steamy, rust colored terrain at Mammoth Hot Springs.
If that isn’t enough, you can find out what it feels like to stand in the middle of a rainbow at Grand Prismatic Spring.
After seeing all of this, we had zero expectations for the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. We have been to the original Grand Canyon. It is pretty grand.
That’s the beauty of going in with no expectations. You are left with the possibility of having your socks knocked off. The picture we took looks like a painting. It has no filter and wasn’t retouched. Imagine the impact it had in person. Or, don’t imagine. Go see for yourself!
Best thing we did?
Upper Geyser Basin boardwalk trail.
Old Faithful tries hard to steal the show. Now, don’t get us wrong. It is spectacular in all of its raging water glory. But, it is also predicable. Anyone will be sure to see it erupt and will have this exact same picture.
While it may be one or two minutes off of the predicted time, much like a corporate meeting, it will definitely be in the ballpark.
The walking trail, just beyond this big guy, is full of funky geysers that go off whenever they damn well please. It also has pools and springs that will make you giggle in their ridiculousness.
For example, you can’t help but think of Van Gogh when you pass the Ear Spring.
What about this psychedelic pool that oddly enough also looks like an ear?
Or this seriously miss-named “Giant” Geyser. Just bubbling up whenever it feels like it, making it nearly impossible to get a proper picture.
Walking on this trail is a bit like walking through the looking glass and is not to be missed.
Best thing we ate?
First, it must be noted–you aren’t going to Yellowstone for the food. That being said, we still must address this section of the post.
While the Old Faithful Lodge might have great food, we didn’t stop there. Where we did go in West Yellowstone was the Slippery Otter (how can you resist that name) for a burger. And yes, it was a bison burger.
What we learned?
Expect the unexpected.
Like snow…in summer. Yes, you can have snow in Yellowstone in summer. Your mom was right. Always bring a jacket.
Also unexpected, bison traffic jams. Actual stop your car, put it in park, sit for a while traffic jams.
In the middle of summer prepare to add an hour or two to your calculated driving time. You just never know when you will stumble upon one of these gangs of giant creatures deciding to migrate across the street. Sometimes, they even go back and forth like they can’t make up their mind. Although, there is a possibility they are just messing with us humans.
They also tend to ignore all street signage. Arrows, shmarrows. They’re rebels like that.
There is no point in being mad at them for making you wait, though. If you are patient, they will give you a show to keep you thoroughly entertained.
Next Stop: Glacier National Park