Blackhills/Yellowstone Day 4

RedLodge is the gateway to the BearTooth Scenic Byway, the Most Scenic Drive in the whole U.S.! Have I mentioned I LOVE driving in the mountains? It goes from Montana down into Wyoming and then back into Montana and ends just outside the N.E. Entrance to Yellowstone, which is back in Wyoming. Half the time I didn't know what state we were in!

Marshall scored us a Yellowstone pass from someone at our hotel. He's so the man. So after reaching our crusing altitude of 11,000ft, and a brisk swim for Trent ('Cause he is ALSO The Man!) we came down the other side of the BearTooth Pass into Yellowstone for another lunch in the car because there was an hour wait at the Roosevelt Lodge. (Callie was not thrilled about having to take another picture.

With our Southern route through the Yellowstone loop predetermined, we set off toward the Petrified Tree.

Hours of research went into the planning of our stops througout Yellowstone. HOURS. Next up, our first little hike to Wraith Falls.

Then because it was already getting later in the day we did "drive-bys" of Mammoth Hot Springs Area, Obsidian Cliff and Roaring Mountain, The Norris Area had several boardwalk trails, where our tour guide Marshall, shared with us his vast knowledge (read from the brochure) of the wide array of geological features. As you can and will see, as much research as I did for this trip, it did have it's moments of unpredictability. It was ONLY a 2 mile walk around the boardwalks! "Water, Water all around, but not a drop to drink." At least we can all laugh about it - Callie was parched, she kept moaning, "I have no saliva in my mouth." "I'm so thirsty!"

Another short hike for the Artist PaintPots. By the time we had hit Monument Guyser Basin the kids had seen enough, so Marshall and I went solo. We passed a bunch of stops on the way down to our hotel, knowing that we would hit them tomorrow when we met up with my Aunt, Uncle and Cousin. It was almost 9pm when we checked into the historic Old Faithful Inn. Creaky floors and all. Once again, Marshall coming through with the hook up. Ahem, we made that reservation the day before. Not many people can say they've stayed there, unless of course they booked it a year ahead of time! Dinner at 9:30pm and then back to our room with a view - Old Faithful. Yup, we could look right out our window into the pitch black night!