Tuesday, August 7, 2007
August 7: Drove from Badlands, SD to La Crosse, WI
We drove 580 miles from the Badlands, SD to La Crosse, WI. We left at 9:30 am and arrived in La Crosse, WI at 7:30 pm (8:30 pm here. We crossed a time line). We drove through endless grasslands, then huge corn and wheat fields. Pretty, but boring after 10 hours. We drove on route 90 the whole way. We stopped at a huge Carbel's store. That's it... nothing exciting. we staying at a Econo Lodge tonight.
August 6: Mt. Rushmore, Jewels Caves, Crazy Horse & Badlands
The KOA had a pancake breakfast for $2.50... all you can eat. Bikers are everywhere because it's biker week in Stergis, SD. Over 500,000 bikers are in the Black Hills area this week. It's wild. Cars are out numbered.
Mt. Rushmore, Black Hills, SD
Crazy Horse
The Badlands, SD
Sunday, August 5, 2007
August 5: Driving from Yellowstone to Mt. Rushmore
Sunday, August 5, 2007:
We got up by 6:00 am, packed up and headed out by 6:45 am. It was clear, but chilly this morning. We could see our breath. We drove through the East entrance of Yellowstone, through Sylvan pass, which was very pretty. We did not see any wildlife though. By 9:00 am, we were in Cody, WY, which is the home of Buffalo Bill (Cody). Before Cody we past by Buffalo Bill’s State Park, which had a reservoir. We had breakfast at Irma Hotel, which was Buffalo Bill’s stomping ground. It was very busy on a Sunday morning. There were many bikers around too; in Yellowstone and in Cody… their everywhere! After breakfast, we got back on the road. We drove up and over the Granite pass, which was part of the Shoshone National Forest and the Big Horn National Forest. The next stop was H F Bar Ranch in Buffalo, WY, where Kreh and Storry had worked for the past 6-4 summers. We had a hard time finding the ranch because it was tucked back up against the Bill Horn National Forest about 15 miles down gravel roads. Along the way we saw a few Prong Horns, which are the fast animals in North America, They look like small deer with a white tail and white hind quarters. It was well worth the drive because the place was idyllic, the setting was gorgeous and the people were so friendly and welcoming. We met Justin in the River Brooke Fish and Game shop and Jamie, Aleca in the office. We met Margi, the owner too. Great spot. I hope that our children will be fortunate to work there too. Storrs is heading there on Thursday from Denver for their annual Gin and Tonic party. Too funny! We were almost out of gas, so we drove to the nearest gas station in Buffalo, which was 18 miles away. On to Mt. Rushmore!!
We got up by 6:00 am, packed up and headed out by 6:45 am. It was clear, but chilly this morning. We could see our breath. We drove through the East entrance of Yellowstone, through Sylvan pass, which was very pretty. We did not see any wildlife though. By 9:00 am, we were in Cody, WY, which is the home of Buffalo Bill (Cody). Before Cody we past by Buffalo Bill’s State Park, which had a reservoir. We had breakfast at Irma Hotel, which was Buffalo Bill’s stomping ground. It was very busy on a Sunday morning. There were many bikers around too; in Yellowstone and in Cody… their everywhere! After breakfast, we got back on the road. We drove up and over the Granite pass, which was part of the Shoshone National Forest and the Big Horn National Forest. The next stop was H F Bar Ranch in Buffalo, WY, where Kreh and Storry had worked for the past 6-4 summers. We had a hard time finding the ranch because it was tucked back up against the Bill Horn National Forest about 15 miles down gravel roads. Along the way we saw a few Prong Horns, which are the fast animals in North America, They look like small deer with a white tail and white hind quarters. It was well worth the drive because the place was idyllic, the setting was gorgeous and the people were so friendly and welcoming. We met Justin in the River Brooke Fish and Game shop and Jamie, Aleca in the office. We met Margi, the owner too. Great spot. I hope that our children will be fortunate to work there too. Storrs is heading there on Thursday from Denver for their annual Gin and Tonic party. Too funny! We were almost out of gas, so we drove to the nearest gas station in Buffalo, which was 18 miles away. On to Mt. Rushmore!!
August 4: Mark & Anne visit Yellowstone
Saturday, August 4, 2007
George and I got a shower in pre-coffee. We made pancake for breakfast and Owen and Drew eat them! Maslin was still on the edge. We spent the rest of the morning packing up, since we planned to shove-off by 6:00 am on Sunday morning. The kids got in showers too. Mark and Anne arrived from Jackson around 12:00 is. We hung out, then went for a dip at the Firewall River, which was north of Old Faithful Lodge, where we were planning to have dinner that night. The Firewall River was downstream from all the geysers basis around the Old Faithful area, so the water is a bit warmer. We got in and started swimming against the strong current. Up a the stream a bit was a small gorge that had a strong stream current leading into it that you could jump into and ride down. Unfortunately, the weather-changed quiet suddenly the wind was extremely strong. Drew was determined to “ride” the stream current into the gorge, but the rest of us headed back. We all got back to the car and quickly changed because it was now raining and windy. As we drove back south toward The Old Faithful Lodge, we past several fallen trees that had blown over due to the high windy. We even were held up a bit due to a tree across the road. That night, we treated ourselves to a very nice dinner at the Old faithful lodge. Before dinner we purchased some tea and hung out up on the third floor over looking the great room below. Te Mellicks ordered the buffet, so for dinner we were able to try bison, which tasted a bit like pot roast. After dinner, we were able to see Old Faithful go over and a rainbow appeared. Very sweet. We headed back to our campsite to hang out by the fire. Mark and Anne had brought the wrong tent poles for their tent, so we spent some tine trying to see if we could get the poles they brought to work with the tent. We did not have any luck, so we set up a little shelter with their tent fly. We crashed around 10:00ish, since we had an early start planned for Sunday.
George and I got a shower in pre-coffee. We made pancake for breakfast and Owen and Drew eat them! Maslin was still on the edge. We spent the rest of the morning packing up, since we planned to shove-off by 6:00 am on Sunday morning. The kids got in showers too. Mark and Anne arrived from Jackson around 12:00 is. We hung out, then went for a dip at the Firewall River, which was north of Old Faithful Lodge, where we were planning to have dinner that night. The Firewall River was downstream from all the geysers basis around the Old Faithful area, so the water is a bit warmer. We got in and started swimming against the strong current. Up a the stream a bit was a small gorge that had a strong stream current leading into it that you could jump into and ride down. Unfortunately, the weather-changed quiet suddenly the wind was extremely strong. Drew was determined to “ride” the stream current into the gorge, but the rest of us headed back. We all got back to the car and quickly changed because it was now raining and windy. As we drove back south toward The Old Faithful Lodge, we past several fallen trees that had blown over due to the high windy. We even were held up a bit due to a tree across the road. That night, we treated ourselves to a very nice dinner at the Old faithful lodge. Before dinner we purchased some tea and hung out up on the third floor over looking the great room below. Te Mellicks ordered the buffet, so for dinner we were able to try bison, which tasted a bit like pot roast. After dinner, we were able to see Old Faithful go over and a rainbow appeared. Very sweet. We headed back to our campsite to hang out by the fire. Mark and Anne had brought the wrong tent poles for their tent, so we spent some tine trying to see if we could get the poles they brought to work with the tent. We did not have any luck, so we set up a little shelter with their tent fly. We crashed around 10:00ish, since we had an early start planned for Sunday.
August 3: Yellowstone Grand Canyon
Friday, August 3, 2007:
No jumping out of bed today as our viral trials continues to wipe out both Maz and Owen. Drew is back to his usual and much awaited self and taking nourishment. Dad cooked toast over the fire and unfortunately made the “t” in brat taste like coals. Big Favorite! Not! We moved on to the days activities with plenty of liquids and motored up to the Canyon Village area where we could see the Lower Falls of Yellowstone Canyon. Crowds filled the area immediately so we took in the view and scrammed.. Luckily, on the way up we were able to run into Nat. Geo. People and Rangers at the Hayden Valley, a wonderful bison filled valley that is also home to the Hayden Valley Wolf pack. An “alpha” male and female (if that is possible) and their three cubs were romping in a river about a ½ mile away. The rangers and some other folks were letting take time on their super scopes to see these wolves up close. That was cool! Anyways without the “geyser geeks” and the “super scoopers”, we probably would not know where to stop on the Grand. Loop to see most of theses things. As Baud put it, just another Buff Jam. While in the canyon area, we also drove up to Dunraven Pass to Chittenden Road, which went part way up Mount Washburn. We drove up a dirt road that got us part way up the mountain. George, Maslin and Drew walked a little further up the mountain to see the view and to see if we could find any bears. Owen’s tummy was not feeling great, so he rested in the car, while Laura called in al out medical activities to our insurance company. The hikers returned with o bear stories. We started heading back to out campsite, which was about an hour drive to the south. On the way, back we ran in to a “buff jam” – a car traffic jam created by a bison, which was grazing on the side of the road. We also stopped at the bubbling mud pots. It was a quick visit because it was too smelly. Some German visitors where looking at a streaming cave geyser called “Dragon’s Mouth” and said, “That is not a dragon’s mouth, but a dragon’s butt!” It was raining when we got back to campsite, so we set up the larger table inside the tent. George and I taught the children how the play the card game called Pitch. While I played cards with the kids, George got the laundry going and dinner prepped. I am not sure what happened, but it was 9:00ish by the time the laundry was done and we had eaten. Maslin and Owen were still not felling 100% and were not eating much.
No jumping out of bed today as our viral trials continues to wipe out both Maz and Owen. Drew is back to his usual and much awaited self and taking nourishment. Dad cooked toast over the fire and unfortunately made the “t” in brat taste like coals. Big Favorite! Not! We moved on to the days activities with plenty of liquids and motored up to the Canyon Village area where we could see the Lower Falls of Yellowstone Canyon. Crowds filled the area immediately so we took in the view and scrammed.. Luckily, on the way up we were able to run into Nat. Geo. People and Rangers at the Hayden Valley, a wonderful bison filled valley that is also home to the Hayden Valley Wolf pack. An “alpha” male and female (if that is possible) and their three cubs were romping in a river about a ½ mile away. The rangers and some other folks were letting take time on their super scopes to see these wolves up close. That was cool! Anyways without the “geyser geeks” and the “super scoopers”, we probably would not know where to stop on the Grand. Loop to see most of theses things. As Baud put it, just another Buff Jam. While in the canyon area, we also drove up to Dunraven Pass to Chittenden Road, which went part way up Mount Washburn. We drove up a dirt road that got us part way up the mountain. George, Maslin and Drew walked a little further up the mountain to see the view and to see if we could find any bears. Owen’s tummy was not feeling great, so he rested in the car, while Laura called in al out medical activities to our insurance company. The hikers returned with o bear stories. We started heading back to out campsite, which was about an hour drive to the south. On the way, back we ran in to a “buff jam” – a car traffic jam created by a bison, which was grazing on the side of the road. We also stopped at the bubbling mud pots. It was a quick visit because it was too smelly. Some German visitors where looking at a streaming cave geyser called “Dragon’s Mouth” and said, “That is not a dragon’s mouth, but a dragon’s butt!” It was raining when we got back to campsite, so we set up the larger table inside the tent. George and I taught the children how the play the card game called Pitch. While I played cards with the kids, George got the laundry going and dinner prepped. I am not sure what happened, but it was 9:00ish by the time the laundry was done and we had eaten. Maslin and Owen were still not felling 100% and were not eating much.
August 2: Yellowstone lower circle drive
Thursday, August 2, 2007:
We had another slow start to our day. Maslin was feeling better, but not all together back. Owen was making a very slow recovering and was still not eating. His stomach still ached, but she was not throwing up. Everyone is still battling diarrhea. Slowly, but surely, we were making progress. Laura took Maslin over to the showers since she had not had one since Salt Lake KOA, which was a week ago! Thank goodness, there was a beautiful lake to swim in at our Grand Teton NP campsite in Jackson Lake. By noontime, we got on the road. Our plan as to go around the lower Grand Loop Road to check out Old Faithful, Midway Geysers Basin (Grand Prismatic Spring), Fire hole Lake Drive (beehive geyser), Fire hole Canyon Drive (with swimming hole) at Madison, Artist Paintpots walk by Norris. At Old Faithful the weather was foreboding, so we hung out at the Old Faithful lodge, which was magnification, while we waited the 90 minutes for old Faithful to go off. We saw it go off!! Amazing. We also made reservation for Saturday night to have dinner at the Old Faithful Lodge with Mark and Anne. At Canyon Village, we went to the Visitor Center, which had a large relieve map of the Yellowstone National Park and explained about the volcanic eruption that happened 640 thousand years ago. It also showed the volcanoes caldera boundary and the remaining hot spots where the hot springs and geysers are today. Afterwards, we drove north 10 miles over the Dunraven Pass in hopes of seeing some bears or wolf action. Typical for us, as we drove up to a “hot spot” we saw a bear run across a field in the distant, but once we were parked, there was not remaining action. We drove back over the pass and headed back to our campsite. It was a beautiful drive through a valley with elk and bison grazing in the distance. We ran in to a traffic jam because a bison was right next to the road. We got back to the campsite around 8:00 pm to a wet raining scene. We made chicken noodle soup, rice and lean hamburger. We eat inside the tent and went to bed!!
We had another slow start to our day. Maslin was feeling better, but not all together back. Owen was making a very slow recovering and was still not eating. His stomach still ached, but she was not throwing up. Everyone is still battling diarrhea. Slowly, but surely, we were making progress. Laura took Maslin over to the showers since she had not had one since Salt Lake KOA, which was a week ago! Thank goodness, there was a beautiful lake to swim in at our Grand Teton NP campsite in Jackson Lake. By noontime, we got on the road. Our plan as to go around the lower Grand Loop Road to check out Old Faithful, Midway Geysers Basin (Grand Prismatic Spring), Fire hole Lake Drive (beehive geyser), Fire hole Canyon Drive (with swimming hole) at Madison, Artist Paintpots walk by Norris. At Old Faithful the weather was foreboding, so we hung out at the Old Faithful lodge, which was magnification, while we waited the 90 minutes for old Faithful to go off. We saw it go off!! Amazing. We also made reservation for Saturday night to have dinner at the Old Faithful Lodge with Mark and Anne. At Canyon Village, we went to the Visitor Center, which had a large relieve map of the Yellowstone National Park and explained about the volcanic eruption that happened 640 thousand years ago. It also showed the volcanoes caldera boundary and the remaining hot spots where the hot springs and geysers are today. Afterwards, we drove north 10 miles over the Dunraven Pass in hopes of seeing some bears or wolf action. Typical for us, as we drove up to a “hot spot” we saw a bear run across a field in the distant, but once we were parked, there was not remaining action. We drove back over the pass and headed back to our campsite. It was a beautiful drive through a valley with elk and bison grazing in the distance. We ran in to a traffic jam because a bison was right next to the road. We got back to the campsite around 8:00 pm to a wet raining scene. We made chicken noodle soup, rice and lean hamburger. We eat inside the tent and went to bed!!
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