West Yellowstone, Montana: You know things are changing fast when you wake early on Friday to run before it gets too hot, and by Tuesday you are waiting... and drinking coffee... and waiting... hoping the temperature will rise about 40 and the fog will lift enough for you to go on a run.
I told you we were expecting interesting weather on this trip.
We did run this morning and then hit the road around 10 o'clock into Yellowstone National Park to drive the northern loop through the park. It was still cold and foggy, but by eleven o'clock we were able to remove one layer of clothing. Luckily we wore layers too - they went on and off all day! No rain, to speak of, today.
Would you believe we saw a grizzly bear today in Gibbon Meadow? We did! And you will just have to believe me too, because the bear was too far away for a photo - but he (I am thinking he because of the large size and the bear was solo) was beautiful. Only our second "in the wild" grizzly.

We stopped at nearly every turn-out and drove nearly every scenic drive on our loop tour today. Yellowstone National Park is absolutely stunning in August (if you ignore all the people!).

We spent a little time around the Mammoth Hot Springs area. Seriously, it was so crowded, I was beginning to become a little agoraphobic - but DT took me to one of my favorite features in Yellowstone and I calmed right down.



We spent most of the afternoon in the Norris Geyser Basin. The National Parks Service has built miles and miles of boardwalk over the basin as it is alive with bubbling pools, geysers, mud pots, steam vents and other assorted geological and seismic features that you probably would not want to walk over. Scary beautiful. An afternoon in the Norris Geyser Basin reminds you Mother Nature is in charge.






Here is a little video for your viewing pleasure:
Are ya'll feeling sorry The Lovely Lisa gave me the Flip Ultra-HD Camcorder? I will keep practicing and hopefully my cinematic skills will improve.

We arrived back to our campsite at 6p - our earliest night all week. We took a walk through town and poked our heads in a few shops. Didn't buy a thing, but enjoyed window shopping and people watching. I made dinner tonight (fourth night in a row!) and we watched the Mariners win and a steady-stream of fellow campers drive to the garbage bin in this RV resort. Come on, people. Do you really have to drive your garbage fifty steps?
Until my next update, I remain, your sulphuric correspondent.
RV Park: Grizzly RV Park. We feel this is the best big-rig park for a visit to Yellowstone. Just outside the west gate, the park has 50-amp pull-through and back-in sites. Wifi, laundry, bathhouse, playground, dog walk area, store - everything you will need, plus all the amenities of West Yellowstone, Montana - post office, shops, groceries, restaurants, tour companies, museums, etc. We are paying $48 per night.