Rafting Day is here…YAY! However, we don’t depart until 3:30 in the afternoon out of Gardiner. The plan was to meander our way up to Gardiner with a few key items to see, but really just kind of decide what we wanted to see as we got there. Our first stop ended up being the Fountain Paint Pot Loop Walk. We did see this last time, and we greatly enjoyed it again this time. Zach didn’t remember it at all, so it was like his first time.
As we came up on the Firehole Canyon Drive, we decided to turn in. We were so glad we did. This was a gorgeous drive with many fun stops. The first was along the river with a big cliff in the background. One of my son’s favorite things to do is throwing rocks in the water. There were tons of rocks to throw in this river, so he had a blast. Next, we stopped at a short trail that went down a steep hillside to the river. There were lots of rocks to climb on. While at the river bottom, we found another trail that went back up a hill, and we were able to see a beautiful waterfall that cascaded over mossy boulders. After that stop, we saw Firehole Falls. Next, we drove by the swimming area. It was still pretty cool at that time. Although a lot of people were out there, I don’t know if anyone was actually in the water.
Our next stop was Gibbon Falls. We couldn’t see it last time we visited YNP due to all the construction at this spot. It was very pretty, and it gave Glenn a chance to practice his waterfall picture taking. Zach announced that he had to go to the bathroom, and when a 4 year old says this, you immediately find a bathroom. Unfortunately, there are no bathrooms at Gibbon Falls. We got back on the road to find the closest bathroom, which happened to be at the Beaver Lake picnic area. This had to be the most disgusting bathroom I’ve visited in the park. I literally had to hold Zach up over the toilet or is feet would have been standing in other people’s urine. Thank goodness he’s a boy!!
After wiping ourselves down with baby wipes, we headed towards our picnic area: Sheepeater Cliffs. This was a busy area, but lots of fun. We weren’t getting eaten by mosquitoes and the kids (adult kids included) were having a great time climbing all over the rocks. Tables were limited, and we were lucky to score one. There was a family looking for a table, and we invited them to eat with us. It turns out they were from Italy. Zach made soon made friends with them through playing with his jack a lope. They had a 4 week trip to the US. I’m so jealous of the 4 week vacations the Europeans get. Yes, I may have that much vacation time, but I can only imagine what would happen if I asked off for 4 weeks in a row at work. I’m sure it would include being required to take a drug test. LOL!
We had a little bit of time to kill before arriving in Gardiner for our rafting trip. I wanted to see a little bit of the Mammoth Springs. Glenn and Zach didn’t. They parked, stayed in the air conditioned car, and I walked around the upper terraces a bit. Not only do I enjoy these springs, but this area really offers a gorgeous view of the surrounding mountains.
Our rafting trip was booked with Yellowstone Raft Company. The lady who checked us in was super nice and was really good with Zach. Our rafting guide was very entertaining as they usually are. This was a “Scenic Float,” so I wasn’t sure what exactly this would entail. We were glad to find out that we did go over some small rapids, and everyone in the boat got wet at some point. Zach enjoyed the bumps. He did go swimming in the water for a bit, but he immediately wanted out because it was too cold! He is definitely a Texas boy!! Glenn enjoyed swimming in the cold water. I didn’t have my swim suit on so I didn’t get in the water. We definitely had a great time! Zach actually fell asleep on the bus ride back to the raft shop. I couldn’t believe it since it was loud and bumpy.
Once we were back in dry clothing, we went out to eat and decided on Rosie’s. I had the Alaskan salmon, and Glenn had a steak. We both enjoyed our dinner very much. Zach didn’t eat his spaghetti very good, but he enjoyed the bread and butter. Afterwards, we went to the grocery store to stock up on fresh fruit, sandwich supplies, juice, etc… I was in need of Allegra D, which is only available at pharmacies. I learned that the Yellowstone Perk (coffee shop/ice cream shop) was also the pharmacy! After arriving at the Yellowstone Perk, we discovered that the pharmacy was closed, but since a prescription isn’t required, the girl at the regular counter was able to sell it to me. YAY! I got my medicine and a yummy mocha latte. Glenn and Zach each got an ice cream cone. (I got to finish Zach’s cone, and it was delicious!!).
On our way back, we were on the lookout for animals. We spotted some elk on the Mammoth to Norris area. Shortly afterwards, there was a large group of people looking at something. We of course stopped, and couldn’t believe what we were treated to seeing: a black wolf!! I didn’t even know that wolves roamed the Norris/Mammoth area. We were so excited!
Once we were back in dry clothing, we went out to eat and decided on Rosie’s. I had the Alaskan salmon, and Glenn had a steak. We both enjoyed our dinner very much. Zach didn’t eat his spaghetti very good, but he enjoyed the bread and butter. Afterwards, we went to the grocery store to stock up on fresh fruit, sandwich supplies, juice, etc… I was in need of Allegra D, which is only available at pharmacies. I learned that the Yellowstone Perk (coffee shop/ice cream shop) was also the pharmacy! After arriving at the Yellowstone Perk, we discovered that the pharmacy was closed, but since a prescription isn’t required, the girl at the regular counter was able to sell it to me. YAY! I got my medicine and a yummy mocha latte. Glenn and Zach each got an ice cream cone. (I got to finish Zach’s cone, and it was delicious!!).
On our way back, we were on the lookout for animals. We spotted some elk on the Mammoth to Norris area. Shortly afterwards, there was a large group of people looking at something. We of course stopped, and couldn’t believe what we were treated to seeing: a black wolf!! I didn’t even know that wolves roamed the Norris/Mammoth area. We were so excited!
Unfortunately, we stopped longer than we should have, and it started getting dark on our way back. We were behind another car in the Madison to Old Faithful area, and saw a car traveling towards us in our lane. As we slowed down, we discovered it was because that car was going around a bison that was in their lane. We saw one more bison after that walking alongside the road, but it really made us aware of how careful you need to be once it’s dark. We did arrive safe and sound.