Road trip! Part #2

On our way to Yellowstone we stopped in Missoula, MT. It was a long drive between northern Idaho and Yellowstone so we decided to break up the drive for Savannah. It also allowed us to do grocery shopping before we headed to the small tourist town of West Yellowstone, MT. We went to Costco and Albertsons and bought enough groceries and ready made meals to last the five nights that we were going to be there. It was still the off season and some restaurants in town would not be open and the others could be quite pricey. It ended up being a life saver. We only ate one lunch in town and the total for only 2 sandwiches was $45! They rest of the trip we ate most of our meals for less than $100 total inside our hotel room!

While driving to West Yellowstone we saw all kinds of wildlife including bald eagles, a golden eagle, bison, elk, pronghorn, and even had a herd of bighorn sheep pass right in front of our truck! It was pretty amazing since we hadn't even made it to the park yet.

 We also drove past a very frozen Lake Hebgen. It was so peaceful and beautiful! Shortly after than we made it to our hotel room at the Abbey Inn and checked in. We have stayed here once before in 2008 and liked it so much we returned. Our room had two king beds, a nice sized table we used to eat at, microwave and fridge.  It also had two doors, one to the inside of the hotel and another to the parking lot. Which means we could park right outside our hotel door! Much easier when hauling everything in and out everyday!

The next day we slept in and decided to we would head down to the Old Faithful area to see how the weather and road conditions were. We also decided to visit the Grizzly Bear and Wolf Discovery Center before we headed into the park. We had never been there before and it was literally right across the street from our hotel. It was very cool to see the grizzlies and wolves close up. The naturalists were very educational and friendly too. I would highly recommend this stop to anyone passing through. The admission is also good for two days!

We were quite surprised when most of the roads were completely void of any snow. Not even old snow. The weather was also quite warm and we didn't even need sweaters most of the time. We did some shopping at the snow lodge, visited the visitor's center, then watched Old Faithful erupt. We took our time driving in and back and stopped occasionally to watch the elk or bison from the road.

So crowded. Could hardly find a spot to watch! HA!

On day two we decided to wake up early, stop by the bear center and then go the Mammoth area.  When we returned to the bear center they were just bringing in a dumpster to bear enclosure. They do bear proof canister testing at the center. If a container can be worked on by a bear for 60 minutes and not be opened then that container is then considered "bear resistant". We didn't stick around long enough to see if this one passed or not. I am also glad we went back for the second day too since the wolf packs were also more active.

 Inside the park the weather was still great cloudy but warm. We first started with the most northern road in the park hoping to find some bears. We didn't find any bears but saw more elk, bison and some pronghorn. We had a relaxing lunch on the side of the road and watched a couple bison with calves as Savannah napped. We then headed to Gardiner, MT go to a gift shop we had been to before and also to take pictures at the iconic north gate.

Look closely. There is a calf lying down on the right side of mama!

Another closed trail! Most were closed.

Our truck (actually Grandpa's truck) at the north gate.

 We then headed back to Mammoth where we shared a couple burgers and some fruit (only $25 compared to in town!) and then hubby put Savannah in her backpack and we hiked around the terraces at Mammoth. After that we got back into the truck and started to head back to the hotel room about an hour away at this point. On the way we also stopped at Gibbon falls so I could snap a few pictures before it was completely dark.

 

 

On day three we decided to head to the Canyon area and Lake Yellowstone areas of the park. On the way there between the Norris Geyser Basin and Canyon we stopped to watch a Coyote on the side of the road to watch a coyote hunting in the snow. We watched as he pounced several times and even came up with a couple of gophers or voles. It was really neat and we could have watched forever. We then headed to Canyon and had lunch at the sports shop. (The ONLY thing open on this side of the park) So we had some self serve hot dogs. There was also more snow on this side of the park and Savannah enjoyed playing in the old snow banks.

 

 

 After lunch we went to Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and Lake Yellowstone. We didn't see much in wildlife but did start raining on an off but it was only heavy for a couple minutes and then it would stop for a while. It was the only weather we saw for the entire trip.

 

 

 

We then headed over to Norris Geyser Basin to hike the 2+ mile loop. It was still raining on and off so we put the rain pod over Savannah's backpack to keep her dry. We didn't get to see any eruptions but it was still a really cool hike. It was one of only a few areas that were still open for hiking. Others were closed due to "bear activity".

 

We had so much planned for our last day. It was the day that Old Faithful Inn was opening for the season and another section of roads would open inside the park. Unfortunately the truck had other ideas. It had a hard start that morning and then the engine light came on and would not go off. Hubby took it to the (only!) mechanic while I stayed with Savannah in the room. I started to get our stuff packed and ready just in case we had to leave early and tow the truck to the next major town in Idaho. Thankfully, the mechanic was able to fix the truck and we were on our way into the park just a couple hours later! Whew! Since it was getting late in the afternoon we headed straight for the Old Faithful Inn dining room for lunch. We had a fantastic dinner here in 2008 and we really wanted some more of their amazing soup. (Roasted pepper and gouda. YUM!) Savannah was being really good so she got some huckleberry ice cream at the end for a reward.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After lunch we walked around the geyser basin, did some more shopping and then started to head out of the park. On the way out we stopped by Grand Prismatic spring. As we pulled into the parking lot we noticed three bison bulls walking through. We pulled right up to them and parked. They were only about 10 feet away and Savannah had a great time watching them graze and rub on the trees and rocks. We also got to watch a bus full of tourists get amazingly close to the bison. At one point a lady was only standing about 5 feet away from a bull. I had my camera ready but thankfully she got her photo without upsetting the bull.

Then next day we sadly said good bye to Yellowstone and headed out. We drove Idaho and down through Utah and finally stayed the night in Lehi, UT (conveniently close to a Cabelas store).The next morning we drove down through the rest of Utah, a slice of Arizona and then into Nevada. We stopped and stayed in Las Vegas. Savannah had never been to Vegas before and we thought she would enjoy seeing all of the lights. She seemed to enjoy herself and we had dinner at Rainforest Cafe in the MGM Grand. She really liked the cafe but was a little too distracted at times to actually eat! I did feel bad because we told she would see some real lions but the display was closed for a remodel. The next morning we had breakfast at the Silverton. After breakfast we went through the Bass Pro Shops and then headed home. It was a great trip overall and Savannah did amazing. She was overwhelmed at times but still handled it well.

Now where should we go next? Nine states down, forty one more to go!

Road Trip! Part #1

We are back from Savannah's first official road trip. We made it to a total of nine states in eighteen days. Our first major city was Portland, OR were we did hiking in the Silver falls area and visited the Columbia River Gorge area. It was beautiful and we had perfect weather! Next we headed to Eastern Washington to visit my husband's family.

Multnomah falls

Silver falls state park

Some parts of the trail were a little tight especially wearing the baby carrier!

 Savannah had not been feeling well since we left home and seemed to have a cold. But before we made it all the way to eastern Washington we noticed a rash on Savannah's chest. By the time we hit the next major city the rash was starting to show on her neck and face. Soon as we got into Kennewick, WA we stopped at urgent care. The doctor suspected strep throat and pink eye. The instant culture came back negative but they gave us antibiotics and eye drops anyways since it looked like a textbook strep rash. (They also did a regular culture which later came back negative also.) Only 24 hours after starting medications the rash was completely gone and even though the tests were negative we continued her medications since they seemed to be working.
 

Bonneville Dam- watching the fish swim up the "fish ladder".

 After the visit to urgent care we met up with hubby's Aunt and Uncle and had a great time visiting and touring the area. They live on a cherry farm overlooking the Columbia river and it was absolutely beautiful! One of the days we were there hubby's Aunt took us to a friend's house who had young lambs so Savannah could pet them. She was in love!

future 4H?

Enjoying a "spud nut" (doughnut made of potatoes)

One of the great views from the cherry farm!

After a couple days we then headed to northern Idaho to see hubby's other Aunt and Uncle. By this time Savannah was really starting to miss her dog and had cried about him on multiple occasions. She was convinced Daddy gave him away before leaving. It was so sad but she was very happy to get to finally visit with Aunt and Uncle's very friendly pups. After seeing Cody and Tucker there was no more crying the rest of the trip over her dog Scout!

Savannah's newest buddy- Tucker. 

Amazing Idaho view including the fish pond!

We also spent a couple days there touring the area and visiting some of their friends that have a few farm animals. There Savannah got to see chickens, baby goats (awwww!), and horses.

Grace- the baby goat.

We had an amazing time visiting family and wished we could have stayed longer. We all hope that we will get to visit again soon and say longer next time! Next stop -- Yellowstone! (to be continued in another post.)