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.
A bit further up the road, we pulled over to enjoy a peaceful little lake that flanked both sides of the highway.
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 :-)
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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.
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).
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 ;-)
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.
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 :-)
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.
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