In the 1980’s, my husband, our two high-school aged daughters, and I took a summer vacation to Yellowstone National Park by car driving across Nebraska and Wyoming. We stopped twice on the way out, first with relatives in Chappell and then after enjoying the Wyoming mountains, stayed overnight in northern Wyoming at a hotel. When we arrived at the park, we stayed at Old Faithful Inn, an old but comfortable inn that was very rustic in appearance. We also ate some meals at the inn. I think everything we saw was fantastic and to make it even better, our Lincoln neighbors who were working in the park (15 years older and retired), drove us around and explained all the sights. At noon time we stopped for a delicious lunch and fellowship. Everything in the park smelled “fresh and inviting.” I remember the sounds of the river, of wildlife and of the bubbling geysers. The weather was cool in the mornings warranting a light jacket as we walked before breakfast and then pleasant (not hot) the rest of the day. Words that come to mind to describe how I felt on the trip are pleasant, peaceful, relaxing, and very enjoyable. One unfortunate thing that happened on the trip was that the day we were scheduled to go around with our neighbors from Lincoln, my husband woke up not feeling well. He was sick with a short-lived stomach flu. So he spent the day between bed and the bathroom. He also spent the time looking out his bedroom window which was in direct sight of Old Faithful! From the park we drove down to Jackson Hole, admiring the mountains and animals. We had to wait while buffalo leisurely crossed the highway. We took a boat ride down the fast water with a guide. It was a very enjoyable summer vacation!
Sincerely,
Yellowstone National Park
America's first national park is named after the river that runs through it. Within the park's massive boundaries, visitors can find mountains, rivers, lakes, waterfalls and some of the most concentrated geothermal activity in the world. The park has 60% of the world’s geysers, as well as hot springs and mud pots. It is also home to diverse wildlife with the largest concentration of mammals in the Lower 48 states, including grizzly bears, wolves, bison and elk.
State(s): Idaho Montana, Wyoming,
Established: 1872
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