Provo was a beautiful suprise. We drove north following the mountains of Utah to find our very windy spot near Utah Lake at the quaint and convienient Lakeside Campground where the showers were long and free and the walk by the lake was serene and elegant. The snow was still on the mountains rising sharply from the crystal blue lake. We had a spaghetti dinner as the wind calmed down and rose early the next day to head to Yellowstone.
The drive from Provo took us by the campus of BYU and then through 4 states (NOT just the "state of confusion")...starting in Utah, then north to Idaho, into Montana for the Continental Divide and up into the snowline into Wyoming. Yellowstone is the first National Park and it is now obvious why. The drive up and into the park through snowfields and forests of lodgepole (aka telephone pole) pines was breathtaking. We were greated within a few miles by herds of Bison, a complete double rainbow (ending in a Yellowstone meadow), a drive by multiple Geysers and a brief rainstorm.
Our campground borders Yellowstone Lake, the largest pine lake in the Lower 48. Snow nearby on the ground made for a COLD night! We have since bought a mini heater at the Yellowstone General Store! Classic camping dinner of dogs and beans hit the spot. The first full day at Yellowstone was full of adventure, starting with Old Faithful and the many hot spot geyesers and exquisitely colored pools and mud pots. So many unique geological features! Dinner of flank steak and smores left us very satisfied.
The walk along the lakeshore in the morning is beautiful and breathtaking with the surface as glass. We can't stray far from camp alone due to grizzlies nearby. In the evening we encountered 10 or so momma elk and their babies, grazing near the road.
A morning of pancakes and a scenic boat trip on Lake Yellowstone with a visit to the Historic Lakeside Hotel - yellow to match Yellowstone! as well as the Historic Lodge and General Store at Fishing Bridge. The water level is near its all time high due to a long winter and heavy snowmelt. Bison for dinner at Grant Lakeside Restaurant and now with a fire by the campsite. Andrew and Alexander are playing badminton. Grammy is reading on the architecture of the National Parks. Bobby posting pictures on Facebook. Jordan writing in her journal and Kendall organizing the van.
Tomorrow is an early day with a 2 h drive south by the Grand Tetons for whitewater rafting and an afternoon in Jackson, WY. It's gonna be chilly! We will be supplied with wetsuits and boots. Two more days still here in Yellowstone after that! So much to see - waiting to see a bear and a moose!
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