May 23, 2015 - Our Day Off - Trip to Yellowstone National Park

It was partly sunny and in 55˚ when we were up at 7 am.  It was really a restful night at Missouri Headwaters State Park campground. The hot water ran out while Erwin was taking a bath and had to finish rinsing with cold water.  The hot water button was reset and Edith had to wait about 15 minutes before she could take a bath.

It was our day off from helping Keri Traver and her family, so we decided to venture down south to visit the west part of Yellowstone National Park. We knew it was going to be a long drive for the day, but we wanted to do it.

Erwin fixed breakfast consisting of bacon and hash browns and eggs.  After cleaning up a bit we set out for Ennis, MT at 8:40 am.  Clouds started to roll in, but it was not that cold.  The temperature started to rise to 59˚.

Instead of getting on I-90 to get on Rt 287 we went through the town of Three Forks to drive on Yellowstone Trail Road to Willow Creek., MT  Somewhere along the route there is a sandhill crane nest with 2 eggs in the ditch and we wanted to see if the eggs were  hatched, they were not! The landscape was vast and the view of the mountains was so breathtaking.

Checked out sandhill crane nest, but the crane was still sitting on eggs.  Saw Swainson hawk on the branch near the nest, spotted one baby chick 

Lots of yellow-headed blackbirds at the marshland

Got on Rt 287 at 9:25 am

We pulled into a ranch where there were Belted cows and calves in McAllister, MT

It started to rain lightly. Temperature started to drop below 50˚ and the fog started to develop here and there.

First tourist attraction we visited was Virginia City, MT.  Many stores and attractions were open because of the holiday, so we took our time strolling around the town.  After Virginia City we drove past Nevada City without stopping.

                                      

We went back to Ennis, MT and after checking out few dining places we decided to have lunch at Nacho Mamas, got steak quesadilla with guacamole on the side for $10 (enough for 2 hungry adults)

                                         

                                  

After lunch we continued driving on Route 287 going south toward West Yellowstone. 

Abandoned building with mountain backdrop in Cameron, MT

The sun was trying to come out, but the cloud cover was heavy all around.  Rain clouds were stubbornly hanging over the mountain peaks.

We made a right turn to Route 191 for West Yellowstone, MT.  The traffic was very light, much to our relief because of the holiday weekend.

Gas was $2.72 and diesel was $2.89 in West Yellowstone.

Before entering Yellowstone National Park (YNP) we wanted to check out Grizzly Bear RV Park in West Yellowstone to get information and to survey the area for future stay there.  

Instead of getting on Route 191 to Bozeman Erwin wanted to visit the west and north part of YNP.  At the West Entrance booths the traffic was slow and long.  

Erwin mentioned that he felt spiritually connected with bisons. Few minutes later we spotted one bison and Erwin was very happy to see it.

Few miles down the road the traffic was backed up for a couple miles. Before the next pullout there were 4 bison walking along the road.  We turned into a parking area to get pictures and videos

Checked out Madison campground to get information. The rate for seniors is $12.75 a night.  Campground was full, but has vacancy after the holiday. When we were ready to exit the campground there was a lone elk cow grazing the grass not far from the office.

                                       

There was a road sign notifying drivers that the road between Old Faithful and West Thumb was closed, but we wanted to go to Mammoth Springs and exit at the North end of YNP Mammoth Springs. 

There were lots of bisons and babies at Gibbons Falls' auto route loop.

A couple miles after exiting Gibbons Falls the traffic was backed-up 27 miles from Mammoth Spring, and it was slow moving. It started to rain, so we gave up and made an U-turn to go back to West Yellowstone.

It started to rain heavily and steadily, so photo shooting opportunity was not good!

From West Yellowstone we chose to go on Route 191 toward Bozeman.  At Big Sky we toured briefly.

Gallatin National Forest in Big Sky, MT

It was around 7:45 pm when we got back to Missouri Headwaters State Park campground. We were too tired to go over to the Travers' residence to play games. Instead, we stayed put and played Mexican train domino games. Erwin won 3 games in a row.

Miles driven: 350