2007 06 14 – Big Trip – Day 45 – Yellowstone National Park

Fishing Bridge Campground, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Tachometer – 4642 miles

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Nez Perce Picnic Area, Yellowstone National Park

We started the day late, the kids all woke up close to 9am. Our first stop was the visitor center to get some information on hikes here in the park. There is so much to do.

We drove to Mud Volcano, another stinky boardwalk overlooking various geothermal attractions. Hot springs, mud springs, fumaroles galore. We did not get to see a geyser though, that will wait till old faithful. There was a lone bison though not too far from the trail.

We drove to a nice picnic spot on the banks of Yellowstone River and we had a tasty lunch. We drove north to the Canyon area of the park and waited in the parking lot of Artist Point for the girls to wake up. I took a nap as well.

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is a 20 mile canyon created by the Yellowstone River. The walls of the canyon are yellow, red, orange and brown, dotted with green pine trees. It truly looks like an Artist’s palette. Add to that 2 waterfalls, and you’ve got a mega photo opportunity. This place and the Old Faithful geyser are the 2 top tourist attractions here in the park.

We drove to several other viewpoints on both the south and north rim of the canyon, and just couldn’t get enough of the fantastic view. The kids were getting a bit restless and we did not want them to go to sleep as late as yesterday, so we drove back to the campground area and had supper near Pelican Creek.

At the campground we got the children ready for bed by 8:30, and I went out for a jog. It was amazing that at this late hour the sun was still in the sky. I ran along the river trail, worried about encountering bears along the way. I only saw hikers on the path though.

Just in case, on the way to the campground we bought Bear Spray, a $45 canister of something that you are supposed to spray on a bear’s face if it attacks you. Most chances are we won’t need to use it, but it will feel good to have it handy here in bear country. Kind of like a nuclear bomb.

Good night,

-Hemi

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