September 20, 2021

        We are big documentary people. Suggest a blockbuster movie to us, a dramatic Netflix golden globe nominated original, you name it… we will nod our heads and tell you we’ll be sure to watch it. We will never watch it. We are too busy being educated by David Attenborough on ring tailed lemurs. Sorry. However, it is through our love for documentaries and nature shows that we realized, if there is one place in the USA that has been documented extensively, and for good reason, it’s Yellowstone National Park. Larger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined, Yellowstone is 3,472 square miles of boiling mud, hot springs, over 500 steamy geysers, and pools of water that gleam colors you would never imagine exist on this planet. It boast the largest high elevation lake in North America, is home to the largest concentration of mammals in the lower 48 states, and has 290 waterfalls that grace the 2.2 million acre park. It is no wonder why President Ulysses Grant was compelled to make Yellowstone the very first National Park in the World.






 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        One of the highlights of moving to Big Sky, is the National Park is practically in our backyard. It’s been on our bucket lists long before we moved, and although we’ve only been here two weeks, we hopped on the opportunity to get to Yellowstone before the weather shuts it down. So yesterday morning, we packed our mittens, layered up, and headed out. It was mind blowing to the two of us just how close the park is, and how majority of the drive there is technically in Yellowstone. Snow started falling on us on the short drive, and was dusting the trees with a beautiful white frost. As we entered the park, there was already a line of cars stopped, all trying to get a photo of a lone bison walking through the trees. With the snow, everything was absolutely beautiful. In fact, we recommend going in the snow, as the crowds are much smaller and the park can be seen from a different perspective than all the photos you’ve already seen. We had to pull over multiple times just to take in the scenery, no animals in view, just landscape that blew our minds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        As you drive the loop that goes through the park, you will see all sorts of stops and parking lots. We had plans to go one way and see some of the major attractions, but a road closure sent us the opposite direction, and we are so glad it did. It was the places we were not planning on seeing, the places seldom mentioned on must see lists or blogs, that we can’t stop talking about. Sure, we still stops at a few majorly popular sites. But it was the unexpected spots, where we didn’t have any idea what we were walking a mile and a half to see and then met with something extraordinary, that were the extra memorable sights.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        It was snowing almost the whole time, so it was definitely cold, and we were sopping wet, but it was almost unnoticeable with the excitement we felt. Every time we got back in the car, it was on to the next place to see, searching the roads for wildlife as we went. Never a dull moment. We felt as if we were on a different planet. The boiling ground beneath us, mud bubbling up like the contents of a witch’s cauldron, holes in the mountains blowing up billowing clouds of steam with no warning, THE COLORS! It was simply incredible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even the drive is one of the most beautiful drives you will ever be on, bison walking along side, steam coming off the mountains in the distance, a random geyser letting off it’s steam as you happen to drive by. We were lucky enough to have not one, but two bison walk right next to each of our windows, and elk bedded down and grazing next to our car on the way out of the park. We were there all day and barely made a dent on the list of what’s to see. So we are going back next weekend. They won’t be able to get rid of us at this point, we are hooked.
















A few tips if you want to do Yellowstone right:
-Wear (comfortable) shoes with incredible traction. You will be walking on rather narrow boardwalks that rest a few inches off of the hot ground, boiling water and mud, with no railing or fencing. I still don’t understand that, but I guess it’s kind of a thrill? Watch for people around you who are not watching for you! There is no shortage of clueless walkers, who will back up into you while trying to take a picture, and like I said, there is nothing to catch your fall.
-Don’t wear a hat, or loose fitting glasses, on a windy day. As you walk through some of the more popular areas, you will see hats and glasses sitting in the thermal features. There are plenty of signs warning about the high winds… Don’t be that person.
-Hike a little further to see Grand Prismatic Springs from above. Yes, it was cool to be super close to the third largest hot spring in the world, and all its beautiful colors. But it’s best seen from above. They just built an overlook where you can see it from a higher perspective, and I recommend making the most of that option.
-Bring snacks, water bottles, and pack a lunch. There are food options dispersed throughout the park that are ok, but we say, pack a picnic! There are tables everywhere, in stunning locations, and I’m sure you will enjoy whatever food you bring more than what they are offering in the gift shop cafeteria.
-Go to the gift shop! What an amazing little shop with so many cool souvenirs and gift options. We stopped at the one by Old Faithful, labeled “General Store” and were not disappointed. If it’s cold outside, grab a hot chocolate from the back left snack area. Perfect addition to the beautiful drive.
-There are stores, gas stations, and auto repair shops in the park, in case of emergency.

-Look for wildlife on the way to the park, before even reaching the gates. We saw Bison, Elk, and Deer on the drive home.
-Stop at the Artist Paint Pots, Gibbon Falls, Fountain Paint Pot, Great Fountain Geyser, Grand Prismatic Spring (Midway Geyser Basin), and Lower Falls if you are okay with heights and a little leg burner hike :)
-Go with someone you love. This is seriously an experience you will remember for a lifetime. You will likely never experience anything close to Yellowstone. Make sure it’s with someone who can appreciate the beauty, the splendor, and the experience as much as you will.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        As for us, we are already planning what to pack for lunch on our next trip. Priorities. We will be sure to make detours and take in the little details a lot of people miss. We can’t wait to get back. To be continued…