Checked out of our cabin and headed to YP to travel the lower loop.
Mandatory first shot
On way from East Entrance to Fishing Bridge is a small sign to Lake Butte Overlook. Grand views of Lake and all the way go Grand Tetons. A must see.
LeHardy’s Rapids
Where trout swim upstream in July to spawn at Lake. Chilly but we had the view to ourselves.
On the drive from Fishing Bridge to Canyon village.
Mud Volcano
Black Cauldron
Haydens Valley
Our next trips transportation
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
South Rim
Upper Falls Viewpoint
Artists Point view of Canyon
North Rim Drive – very crowded as the road went through parking area. We went to the last viewing area and then took a short hike away from the hordes..
Inspiration Point
Hiking along North Rim. Very peaceful and easy.
North Rim Drive ends at Canyon Village. Ate lunch in cafeteria. Checked out Visitors Center that had a great explanation of the volcanic history of Yellowstone. Who knew we were sitting on this ticking time bomb?
From Canyon Village we continued west towards Norris area. We were getting tired but decided to pull in to see one more Geyser. Oh my. The traffic was gridlock in the parking area. We found a spot for the truck…in a space for oversized vehicles. I told Bill, the rule follower, that the park rangers had better things to do than give out parking tickets.
Glad we stopped at Norris Geyser Basin. This area was full of geysers, bubbling pools, steam vents all spread out through a forested valley.
Steamboat Geyser
After traipsing around Norris our step count was at 15000, approaching 7 miles. Time to check in at The Old Faithful Inn and rest. 30 miles to go.
As we were driving the last 16 miles between Madison and Old Faithful, Bill recalled our snowmobile ride in 1997 with the kids. We got started in West Yellowstone with the five of us on 2 mobiles. We rode 30 miles dodging Buffalo along the way. Then by the time we ate lunch at a lodge. We had maybe 1 1/2 hours to get back to our bus. We hauled ass, and every now and then we had to wait for bison to cross the road. I still remember being a little scared. Now I see why!
This old hotel is nice. Our rooms are not in log part of hotel but we have sort of a view of Geyser.
We had dinner at the Inn. Food and service was mediocre, true to all the reviews online. But ambience of being in the historic hotel was worth it.