We are nearing the end of our stay here in Gardiner, Montana, the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park. We never thought we would visit Yellowstone, never gave it a thought. But since we are in the production of seeing as much of national parks and sites, we said - why not, we are this close. After all - this is the nation's first national park, and this park is the pattern for all national parks throughout the world. Glad we came here. The park is very people friendly, plenty of pull offs to view wildlife, plenty of parking, lots of picnic areas, plenty of camping and 7 major areas to go to where there are stores for food, lodging, restaurants, and camping supplies or get general information within the park. If you want to stay in an area that is raw and scenic and NO geysers or hot springs, you will find it. You want to stay away from people and be in nature, here also. You can horse back ride, hike, go fly fishing in the rivers, go to areas known for wild life viewing - it's all here. And - winter is accessible only through the north entrance and you need a permit to have your snowmobile here - the park offers to rent these as well as move around in what they call snow coaches (big enclosed sleds that protect you from the cold). Wild rivers and waterfalls are abundant. There has been enough time for this park to correct any problems that have risen and made it more friendly.And then there are the geysers and hot springs and pools. You have to like smelling sulphur to stay in this area. Of course no camping is anywhere near any of these, nor would you want to camp there! And no flowers, no berries for the bears - they must be in the north east area, no other trees than lodge pole pine - and many burned up ones too!
But we both feel that as beautiful and serene and 'back-to-nature' this park is, it is not for us. So many times I remarked that I wonder when the earth will blow apart, feeling the heat of the ground, or seeing the bubbling water percolating right in front of you. There are not a lot of hiking trails because of the amount of hot springs and pools - they don't want them vandalized, and the ground is hazardous. You see so many signs saying to stay on the path - the ground is unstable and very hot/scalding.
One main problem while here, but not because of the park - we are surrounded by wildfires. 4 are going on within the park and they are not being suppressed, just watching them. Then there is a bad one - called the Millie Fire - 20 miles south of Bozeman, or 30 miles north of here. The wind either brings the smoke from the park or from Bozeman fires depending on direction, and you cannot get a clear shot of anything. And our eyes sting from the smoke. You can smell it too. We also found out the wildfire that started near us when we were in North Fork, Idaho has grown tremendously and the area we were in is shut down and evacuated. Not good. Will be glad to move more south and away from fires. Speaking of which - we will be leaving here Tuesday morning for Thermopolis, Wyoming - south of Cody, for about a week. Will have to drive through the park one last time, which is okay.
One last image for you - when we got back yesterday there was this Rotel - a road hotel - just setting up in our campground. Another one is coming in today. Don't think I could travel like this - I am a tidge claustrophobic and the narrowness of the sleeping quarters and people - not for me. Dave talked to someone about this rotel - very regimental - you get up by a certain time, have x time to shower, etc. - eat at a certain time, see something for a short time then move on. One lady said she has been doing the rotel thing for 13 times. Don't know if same trip, or different trips, etc. From the Internet -
While the Rotel rooms are only 3ft high, they are wide enough to deliver passengers a comfortable night’s sleep as long as you don't measure much more than the bed's length of 6ft. Though the lack of showers and bathing facilities may test you if you were expecting five-star luxury, the Rotel does include an extensive drop-down "camp kitchen" and a single toilet. The coaches also stop whenever possible at campgrounds with bathing facilities to ensure the passengers don't become too funky.
Whoa - don't think I want to be around those folks when they haven't been to a campground in awhile! Phew!
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