We're resting now in our hotel room (the Yellowstone River Inn in Gardiner) after a full day of activities. The kids are busy working on their Junior Ranger books, Leslie is reading her Kindle, and I shouldn't have to tell you what I am doing. Everyone is tired and ready for bed; we're going to get up early and start again tomorrow.
A big decision first thing this morning; go to a sit-down restaurant or through a drive through? The thought of McDonalds didn't really appeal to me so luckily we decided to eat at the Running Bear Pancake House. Leslie had asked the proprietress of the hotel where we should go eat and it came recommended. When we arrived it looked like most of the town was there; luckily we had slept in a little and missed the big rush (hah!). Anyway, we all had some of their plate-size buttermilk pancakes and feeling overfed we then headed for the west entrance. Again, as did everyone else in town (or so it seemed).
After surviving the lines at the entrance gate and at the meadows along the Madison river we made it to Madison and got the kids their Junior Ranger packets and a ranger discussion on birds. Oscar the osprey (Devyn named the bird) performed on cue and dove for a fresh fish! Good timing! And with one activity signed off we headed up the road towards Norris.
I tried to go to a few things that I haven't gone before so we saw Terrace spring, the Artist Paintpots, and before hiking we found a good place for a picnic at the Norris picnic grounds. And luckily Yogi didn't try to steal our picinic cooler! After lunch we headed to Norris where the kids agreed to go on the back basin hike. I was determined to see what happened to Pork Chop Geyser; 23 years ago it was going great guns and then in 1989 it blew up, a year after we were there. The kids were excited too.
After Norris we headed north for Mammoth and Gardiner. Afer checking in we returned to Mammoth and drove the Upper Terrace and visited Palette Spring. Palette Spring was gushing water, the sky was blue, and the light was perfect. But we were getting tired; the boys and Leslie were quite the troopers, though. After that last walk up the boardwalk it was time to leave the park for the night and back down the canyon to Gardiner we went.
Dinner was at Rosie's and now here we are. From the sounds coming from the boys they are no longer working on their booklets; sounds like the DSs are being used. I guess that means it is bedtime!
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