Gallivanting Grandma

Sunday – August 31, 2014  Sunny & breezy – 53 degrees

It took us most of yesterday to drive north from Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming to the city of Great Falls, Montana.

Morning on the Missouri River

We found a comfortable all-suite motel and decided to spend two nights in Great Falls. We had been on the go in Yellowstone Park for four days and it had been a long tiring drive north. I also wanted to do laundry. When I travel, I always pack one small suitcase regardless of the length of the trip and that means stopping for laundry.

Entrance to the Charles M. Russell Museum

Great Falls, Montana was the home of western artist C. M. Russell and a large museum was built to honor their most famous citizen. No photography was allowed in the museum, so I couldn’t take any pictures. I learned he was a prolific artist who painted more than two thousand paintings in his lifetime. We spent more than two hours there until Jeff said he had seen enough western pictures to last a lifetime.

Quote in the Lobby

The most interesting part of the museum was the Native American exhibit on the first floor. It contained an extensive collection of contemporary and historical artifacts created by several local tribesmen and women.

Russell’s Log Cabin Studio

Charlie & Nancy Russell’s House

Missouri River

In the afternoon we drove along the river to see the Lewis and Clark exhibit. This region was the place that presented some of the greatest obstacles to the explorers. They had to portage their boats and heavy supplies across the land because of several large waterfalls along the Missouri. Stephen Ambrose’s book: Undaunted Courage was a good account of the expedition.

Lewis & Clark Interpretation Center

We learned there are several broad waterfalls along this section of the Missouri River. Today, the largest ones provide electricity for several states.

Rainbow Falls

Black Eagle Falls

We stopped at the large old Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Station which was converted to office space, but it was a reminder that the railroad helped to build the city of Great Falls, Montana.

Old Railroad Station

After passing vast wheat fields and huge silos, we found a giant General Mills grain elevator next to railroad tracks in Great Falls. Now I know where my Wheaties comes from.

General Mills Grain Elevator & Storage Facility

Saturday, August 30,2014        48 degrees & drizzling

As they say in Scotland, it was “misting” this morning. We didn’t mind since this was only our second day of rain on this entire trip. As I checked out of the Snow Lodge, I noticed that Old Faithful was scheduled to put on her show in ten minutes, so we rushed over to the Lodge.

View of Old Faithful Geyser From the Lodge

We had noticed indoor viewing from the large windows when we explored the Lodge yesterday. It was 7:30 in the morning so there weren’t many people around for the eruption.

Rustic Lodge

We had front row seats and watched as the old geyser puffed and spewed with increasing force then she ‘let it rip’ with great strength and height. I guess Old Faithful was a “morning person” because this eruption was higher and stronger than the one we watched a couple of days ago. It restored my faith in geysers.

Old Faithful

On The Road Again

Afterwards, we had coffee in the Lodge then drove out of Yellowstone’s Western Gate toward Bozeman, Montana. Several hours later, we stopped for lunch and walked around a bit. Bozeman seemed more like a college town than a tourist destination. In comparison, Jackson Hole seemed lively and more fun.

Lunch in Bozeman

Sign in Burger Bob’s

Jeff had found a reference to the American Computer & Robotics Museum near the University. We had to go. With the help of Google Maps, we found it.  The young woman at the reception desk said it was one sixth of one man’s collection. There were several rooms arranged chronologically telling the story of communication and the development of computers. It was much better than we expected and well worth seeing. The best part of the museum was a life-sized copy of Robbie the Robot, from the film Forbidden Planet.

Bozeman Attraction

Old Computers

Rain Clouds Along Rt. 89 North

Driving Into White Sulphur Springs, Montana

Local Hot Rod

Sports & Western Wear Shop

Clearing Weather Along Route 89

The road continued through vast wheat fields as far as we could see along the horizon in all directions. We passed through small western towns for several hours. We were in ‘Big Sky Country’ and the ever-changing cloud formations were amazing.

Route 87 in Montana Among Wheat Fields

Friday – August 29, 2014     48 degrees & sunny

There had been a huge thunderstorm last night with dramatic lightening and loud rumbling thunder.  This was our last full day in Yellowstone and we had a few more sights to see. We checked out of the lovely Lake Hotel and drove to the eastern Norris section of the park..

Entrance to the Norris Geyser Basin

Norris Geyser Basin

There was a self-proclaimed “Geyser Gazer” sitting on a bench in the middle of the boardwalk surrounded by steaming sulphur-smelling pools of hot gas. He encouraged visitors to stay to watch Constant Geyser erupt. The Geezer said the eruption occurred every seventeen minutes – give or take a few minutes. A small crowd gathered and on cue, Constant did its thing.

Boardwalk Across the Basin

It was weird to walk above the warm bubbling earth that looked like pictures of the surface of the moon. The pungent odor of sulphur filled the air and tickled inside my nose.

Like a Moonscape

Algae in the Water

Algae and other micro-organisms grow in the warm water. The wide varieties of algae cause the different colors.

Visitors Above the Steaming Ground

Constant Geyser Erupting

Steaming Pools

Colorful Algae

Female Elk on the Road

After we visited several Geyser Basins, we drove to the Snow Lodge where we had a reservation for the night. It was located near Old Faithful and we walked around that area to explore the buildings. Snow Lodge was the only facility in the park which is open to visitors during the winter.

The Snow Lodge Reception

Snow Lodge Lounge

Our room was very clean and comfortable despite no cell phone, no television, and no internet. The decor is rustic modern and practical for skiers. It reminded me of an alpine hotel we stayed at in Switzerland.

Old Faithful Inn

Back Door of the Inn

The Old Faithful Inn was a glorious log building built in 1903. It had a sweeping five-story center area and a huge fireplace. It was quite elegant for a wilderness “log cabin.”

Interior of Lodge

View of the Clock From Balcony

We found a comfortable leather couch on the second floor overlooking the main level and made ourselves comfortable to enjoy the view. After a few minutes, a little girl, about four years old, joined us and sat next to me. I greeted her and asked her name. “Sage,” she said with a bright baby-tooth smile. “S – A – G – E,” she spelled for me. “Like sagebrush,” she added proudly. A true western kid, I thought…. 

View Across the Great Lounge

Lodge Dining Room

There’s nothing like creature comforts in the wilderness! Especially at my age…..

Thursday – August 28, 2014   42 degrees & sunny   Elevation: 7732 feet

Lake Lodge

We had a leisurely morning at the Lake Hotel and explored the surrounding area. There are cabins, camp grounds, a lodge, dormitory for workers, a post office, and a general store in the vicinity. 

Main Room in the Lodge

The Lodge is rustic and houses a cafeteria and a large laundry room. It also has a comfortable lounge area and rustic porch complete with wooden rocking chairs.

Guest Telephones

Hot Gases on the Northern Banks of Yellowstone Lake

Fishing Bridge Raven

After we explored the Yellowstone Lake area, we drove north to the Norris area to visit the Geyser Basin. We saw the Mud Volcanos and walked on the boardwalks above the warm fragile earth.

Mini Volcano

Cooking Hillside

Sulphur Cauldron

The Dragon’s Mouth Spring roared and grumbled loudly as it spewed hot vapor into the air. Warm water splashed out of the hole causing waves onto the opposite side.

Dragon’s Mouth Spring

Hot Spring

On the way back to the Lake Hotel, we stopped at the Upper and Lower Falls of the Canyon. We drove out to Inspiration Point to see the magnificent view then drove back to the civilization of our hotel.

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Upper Falls

Wednesday – August 27, 2014

Sign in the Park

We spent the night in Jackson Hole, checked out of the hotel, and returned to Yellowstone National Park in the morning. It was a beautiful day and we drove along the scenic road through Grand Teton National Park instead of the main road.

Ride Through Grand Teton National Park

The scenic road goes along Jackson Lake. We stopped to take photos and met a young family from New Jersey who had been camping for the last week. The two daughters were having a good time, but Mom yearned for the creature comforts of a good hotel. I was impressed that Jersey Dad was able to drive a huge pick-up truck pulling a very large camper. We wished each other ‘Happy Trails’ and continued on our way.

Jackson Lake

We ate our picnic lunch and continued to Mammoth Hot Springs which is located at the northern end of Yellowstone. The bubbling gas pools were impressive and huge.

Bubbling Gases

Sulphur Hill

Mammoth Hot Springs

Colorful Algae River

On our southbound drive, cars were stopped on the road to allow a herd of bison to cross the road. Toward late afternoon, the animals feed closer to the roads. We stopped and jumped out of the car to take photos with the other tourists.

American Bison

Crossing the Road

Hello!

American Tourists

Calf

Herd Near Our Car

After a time, we decided we had taken much too many bison photos, so we pressed on to The Lake Hotel where we had reservations for the next two nights.

Yellowstone Lake Hotel

Major renovations had been completed this year and the interior was like a new hotel. It was very comfortable and almost elegant. Lake Hotel had the services of a five-star hotel (bell hops, concierge, valet, dining room, great location, etc.) except there was no cell phone service, no wifi, no internet service, and no television.

Lounge With a View

We had all the creature comforts set within the great outdoors of the national park far away from world problems. It was a great place to stay!

View of Yellowstone Lake