July 28th: I had suffered allergies since we parked at the RV Park, and woke up with red-rimmed eyes, a stuffy chafed nose, and more shortness of breath … but I was determined to enjoy the Day we had planned. Holland was concerned about my breathing, and insisted I use and pack my inhaler with me all day long. I conceded, and obeyed my husband ;-)
I didn't bother with make-up, so I looked as rough as I felt. But Holland, bless his heart, loved me anyway. Hahahaha
Neither Holland, nor I, had ever been to Yellowstone National Park.
We were excited to go visit it - we'd heard so much about it; we'd read glowing reports of it in History books; seen the big bold and colorful representations of wildlife and scenery in movies, documentaries, etc.
We were excited to go visit the Park.
Nothing prepared us for the reality of a trip "go see Old Faithful!"
About half an hour from where we had parked Independence in Cameron-MT, we came upon a ghost lake as Beast Betsy climbed in elevation.
Quake Lake-MT:
https://timeline.com/hebgen-lake-earthquake-yellowstone-aa49743cea03
The earthquake measured 7.2 on the moment magnitude scale, caused a huge landslide, resulted in over 28 fatalities and left $11 million in damages.
There is a Ranger-led 1.5 mile hike here where survivors sought higher ground every day at 1'noon, in July. We passed on it.
A bit further up the road, we pulled over to enjoy a peaceful little lake that flanked both sides of the highway.
Tranquil little lake about a half hour outside of Yellowstone.
I enjoyed watching the ducks for a few minutes.
About half an hour later, we entered Yellowstone National Park; we didn't have to pay the entrance fee because I was able to use Bob's Senior Lifetime Pass Card, which we paid a heafty fee for - and is good for all National/State Parks. Bob bought the card because we had planned to travel, and it is transferrable to the spouse if anything happens to the primary card holder. Well, "something" did happen in December of 2018, and I used it for the first time by myself in 2020. Today I used it with my new husband … and I am positive Bob was smiling as we passed into the Park ;-)
We were excited: this was a new experience for both of us - a new memory, in our new life together :-)
Yellowstone National Park-MT from Cameron-MT; via US-287 S. 1 hr. 1 min (60.7 miles)
We have arrived at Yellowstone National Park …
Lodgepole Pines; thin trunks, tall stature - compact limbs.
Crossing from Montana into Wyoming. Yellowstone National Park covers parts of Idaho, Montana, & Wyoming States.
The excitement began to dim as we got further into the drive.
Most of the scenic snap-shot-moments are impossible to get; turnouts are far and few between, and the turnouts that are available … are barely big enough for a compact car, and totally useless in regards to scenic snapshots or video footage. The one or two large turnouts are stationed along the Madison River, which trout fishermen make good use of: this area really caters to trout fishermen - and that's okay. But if the aim is to draw tourists, there should be larger turnouts that cater to photo enthusiasts, also. MPO
I understand that the Rangers want to keep gawkers in their vehicles and out of the path of roaming wildlife, to safe life and limb … but that concern also should apply to the fishermen that are "exposed" to the roaming wildlife - they are literally standing in the water with their attention focused on the fish they hope to catch, and barely thinking of the passing traffic; let alone thinking of the {roaming wildlife}.
Campgrounds are small and very compact: most of the campers were using roof-top/pop-up-tents atop their vehicles.
Main attractions are not easily accessible: they are miles away from the parking lots.
No where to get 'gotcha' snapshots.
Madison River - people can trout fish here, but that's {it}.
Checked out a campground in the Park … our rig is too big. A 25-30 ft. limit on RV & vehicle combo is the standard at Yellowstone National Park Campgrounds. People are warned to be aware of bears - the bears here are not zoo 'pets'.
Most of the campsites were filled with these type of camping rigs.
There was plenty of wide-open meadows, forested areas, and waterfront views … but there were no animals! Nada - we didn't even see a scurrying chipmunk.
I was able to see, and get some video footage of a beautiful sulfur pool; but Holland only got to see it when I got back to the pickup - the walk was too far for him to go; so, he stayed behind in Betsy with Bleu in the air-conditioned pickup, and plotted more sights for me to see; while I happily walked the boardwalk with camera in hand in 90-degree weather, over ify shifting ground, with my inhaler stuffed into my bra within easy reach (I did not have a single pocket on my shirt, or shorts).
Expansive landscape near the Nez Pierce Creek.
Fountain Paint Pot: https://rove.me/to/yellowstone/fountain-paint-pots
I only walked as far as the 'Fountain Paint Pot' - my lungs couldn't handle any more sulfur stench.
Starting the boardwalk walk … sorry about the quick panning; people on the boardwalk are not patient - they are in a hurry, and want you to move quickly. Gawking is not encouraged.
That viewing platform is as far as I went.
The 'Celestine Pool'; this was VERY stinky; I held my breath as long as I could when passing thru the smoke.
I held my breath as long as possible when passing through the stinking steam cloud (both times I passed through) - not only does it stink, but the silica in the steam will stay in the lungs 10 to 30 years and do long-term terminal damage to the lungs.
Holding my breath was hard to do given that the weather was sticky hot and my lung capacity is shorter than most people; but I managed without passing out ;-)
'Celestine Pool'.
Deposit of sinter, also known as Geyserite = silica, fine glass dust.
Muddy area around the 'Fountain Paint Pot'.
This is what drew me in … I saw it from the roadway, and Holland pulled in.
Beautiful blue HOT water.
Another example of the SAME 'Fountain Paint Pot' - this would have been COOL to SEE; internet surfing pic.
Backtracking past the stinky 'Celestine' Pool.
Elohim mercifully made a safe passage for me.
Finding a way to 'Old Faithful' geyser.
Most of the attractions to see following the Fountain Paint Pots draw, were too far away to enjoy :-(
And several access roads were blocked off from vehicle traffic, with orange cones - hiking was allowed, but no bikes or vehicles.
I'm 66 yo, and in relative good hiking condition; but Holland is disabled - we want to do things together. Most of the "main attractions" are waaaaaaay off the beaten track, steeply uphill, or otherwise mountain goat attainable: attempting any of those draws in 90-degree weather wouldn't work for me; and poor Holland spent the entire day in the pickup. I, at least, got out and about twice - for short stints.
Yellowstone is basically a Park for college kids, and young families.
Crazy Park layout; accessibility for disabled and elderly people is nonexistent.
DON'T waste tour $ or time to come here - this Park is for the young and able, only.
We were able to pull over in a beautiful scenic spot a little further up the road, and let Bleu out to relieve himself: but this was only the second time in the entire 6-hour drive that we had found a pullout large enough for The Beast.
The view was beautiful - so we sat there for a while letting our eye soak it in :-)
Gorgeous view …
We located the exit to the Old Faithful geyser; but never got to see it: the packed parking lot was a freaking paved Mall setup with lodges, hotels, motels, cafes, restaurants, shops of every type that covered blocks of ground. Walking to the geyser viewing platform would have been a nightmare scenario through the throngs of people crowding the area like human ants … and Holland would not have been able to do it at all.
Aside from the Fountain Paint Pots, and 2 gorgeous meadow views, the West Side of Yellowstone was very disappointing.
Never even got to see 'Old Faithful'.
Majorly disappointing.
DON'T COME; spend your time and $$ elsewhere.
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