June 4 HEADING TO GARDINER, MT (YELLOWSTONE)

June 4  Travel to Rocky Mountain Campground, Gardiner, MT for Yellowstone Visit

Packed up the trailer and headed out by 9am.  Chick did a great job on the steep (10% grade) climb out of Jackson Hole and then for the next 100 miles we rode on the flats of Idaho watching the Teton Range off to our right across the potato fields. 

Potato Fields in front of Teton Range

Idaho Farm

Idaho Farm

TETON RANGE TO THE EAST

We had lunch in West Yellowstone Montana at a diner/café.

 And then into Yellowstone.  Chick asked the Park attendant who looked at our Senior Park Pass what is was she checked.  She laughed and said just noted the name because he was Italian…her husband is Italian.   So now you know what they are looking for!!  By the way, the $10 Senior Parks pass we got in 2007 may be our very best investment ever. For example, it costs $50/vehicle for 7 days at Yellowstone.  Something similar at Teton. And every national park/monument we get in with the pass.  What a deal !

Once inside the park we encountered 7+miles of serious construction between Norris Junction and Mammoth. They are doing some very serious road-widening.  Probably the first major improvements in  50 years.  We understand the road from West Thumb to Old Faithful (South entrance from Tetons) is closed and to get to the south entrance from Madison you have to take the LONG way around…83 miles of park roads – read 30 mph.

YELLOWSTONE CONSTRUCTION AROUND NORRIS

In spite of the construction the bison were still munching away along the road and meandering down the middle of the road at times.  I saw some elk in a field but not much else. I guess they don’t like bulldozers any more than we do.

OUR FIRST BISON ...this year

And the beginning of many more...

The scenery as we entered Mammoth still is awesome and as Chick maneuvered the narrow road, I took pictures of many of my favorite places. 

We pulled into the campground. Got a welcome back from the front desk. We immediately headed to the fly shop for Chick to get his Park Fishing License and the scoop on fishing. Then to pick up the staples of bread, eggs, milk and juice at the grocery.  I took on a week’s laundry, cleaned the bathroom, swept the floors, and Chick got the truck washed and checked on classes at Yellowstone Insitiute.  Keep your fingers crossed that the Gods are with us…there is a BEAR CLASS starting tomorrow.  It is so unlikely to have a space as they only take 12 but hope springs eternal.

We roasted peppers and onions on the grill with the burgers, added coleslaw and wine, and called it dinner.  Long showers and nice music, it is so nice to be HOME.