Day 2: Yellowstone National Park

Day 2:  Yellowstone National Park

QOTD:  To announce there must be no criticism of the President…is morally treasonable to the American public

Pics: In and around Yellowstone NP; the pic of the couple taking a pic is while we were stuck in traffic awaiting road construction to free us and then we saw them later except either she’s with a different guy or he changed his t-shirt

Weather: Gorgeous, clear, breathtaking visibility, starting in mid 50s and ending in low 90s

Breakfast of Arizmendi rolls and moccachinos, $1.75. Off around 6am to Yellowstone, 50 miles from Livingstone. Touring the north, northeast and middle of the park interspersed with short hikes. Picnic near peak of Mt Washburn of chicken salad, leftover watermelon and feta salad, Sinclair’s baguette and sourdough rye  from yesterday’s farmer’s market, Pezzini artichoke hearts in oil (from Castroville), melted chocolate cookies. More touring and short hikes after lunch.

THB will make a broad generalization: when today’s outing is combined with Old Faithful and the rest of the western part of Yellowstone (seen 10 years ago), this is the pretty much the grandest of the 33 National Parks we’ve visited. It’s not really close: unbelievable vistas, a picturesque river, terrific waterfalls, spectacular geysers and geyser filled areas, hoodoos, terraces, wildflowers, and wildlife (bison, goats, sheep, deer, elk, etc.). And, a very pretty lake that THB has not made it to yet. This was the first National Park, and it seems to have retained its title against all the subsequent contenders (though THB hasn’t yet made it to all of them, he’s trying). NUMBER ONE…visit!

Dinner at B’s of leftovers and fresh greens from farmer’s market, Sweetgrass IPA and CA wine. Much exhaustion…off to bed in the near twilight (nightfall must still be 2 hours away)