After the long drive from Seattle and an overnight at a truck stop, we pulled into West Yellowstone ready to rock. We enjoyed the sights and sounds of the tiny western town with some bike riding, an IMAX about the National Park, and visiting a wild animal sanctuary/rehab center next to our RV park. This facility rehabs and maintains park animals that have been injured or resorted to a life of trash raiding and are therefore to unsafe to stay in the wild.

Speaking of wildlife – our up-to-date list of animals seems in the wild:

1) three Bald Eagles

2) one actual grizzly bear!

3) Tons of bison

4) tons of Sea Lions

5) one wild Coyote

6) Loads of Elk and several Deer

7) and course our absolute favorite….Squirrels!

Yellowstone was completely otherworldly – steaming vents were just popped up everywhere! This “volcano” was just unmarked on the side of the road.

We first went to Norris Basin – boardwalks over steaming vents with sulfur and mud boils and red, green, white and bright blues everywhere. It blew us away!

Next we went to the raging Yellowstone River with its deep cut canyon and double raging waterfall. Morgan and I hiked down to the cusp of the waterfall – Epic!

Finally of course we hit “Old Faithful”. The weather turned on us at that point – driving rain and the temperature plummeted. But we braved the elements for two geyser eruptions and some yummy hot chocolate and chili in between.

Thanks Yellowstone!

Ben