Engagement Trip - Day 2

Today we woke up to the sound of rain on the roof of our cabin. We hit the alarm off because there wasn't any reason to hit the trails if it was poring. We looked out the window and the Tetons were blanketed in a dense fog. Maybe the bottom 10% of the mountains was visible. Packing up our room was bitter sweet. We loved our little cabin tucked away at the bottom of the majestic mountains on the shore of the lake. We packed and set out in hunt for a good breakfast and some scenic drives. Breakfast was another good meal at our lodge. It was the same waitress and the same view. Eric ordered a skillet breakfast without eggs, extra veggies, the waitress giggled, but didn't make him repeat it. I had a bagel, strawberries and a banana, which I saved for a snack. We started our trip with full bellies and needed to get gas. We started out a little disappointed by the fog and rain but the Tetons still did not let us down. Even though we couldn't see the snow covered peaks, they were still as awesome.

We were supposed to go to Jenny Lake, take a boat across and hike Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls and some of Cascade Trail but we decided to spend our new found extra trip day (the ticket mess, silver lining) back at the Tetons. So rain or shine at the end of our trip we are doing the hike. Eric was really bummed because he really wanted to do the hike.
We still drove around the base of the mountains. We found water falls on the sides of the mountains that we took pics of. We found a visitor center and got some more info on our up-coming hike. As we were leaving we saw a kid with a giant A-frame metal, serious, backpack on trying to hitch hike. We were heading back towards the towns, north, so we asked where he was heading and picked him up. He just spent 3 days, 30 miles hiking the Tetons by himself. He had to ice climb and got caught in the snow. He was all by himself and said there was a point when he was absolutely terrified. He was heading down a steep slope in the dark trying to make his next camp when he heard something behind him. He froze, then he said that “Fight or Flight” really kicked in and he started yelling like a mad man throwing rocks towards the noise. He took off down the slope. It was a really good story and I was scared just listening to it. He said he is a senior in college working at Jackson Lake Lodge for the season. He was a nice kid from Illinois. We took him up to his lodge. Eric and I were both very jealous! We had just been talking yesterday about how cool it would be to work up here. This kid was living the dream. He said his dad was completely supportive and his mom was scared but gave her blessing. I think Eric and I would play the same role for our son. Hopefully our kids will want to do that, live, not just sit around and miss out on everything our country has to offer. That was the first hitchhiker we ever picked up. Another life rule broken (“Never pick up strangers”). The first one was don't follow a scat trail when hiking, ha. We walked around the Jackson Lodge and both agreed it was beautiful, but our lodge's view was much better.
 We got back on the road and stopped for gas. Our car's coolant light was going on + off. Eric checked the level and a man from the station came out. Eric said he wanted to add some coolant, the guy laughed and asked him it was a rental. Eric said it was and the man again laughed and then added some water and shut the hood. He was really nice! He told us that the south entrance to Yellowstone was closed yesterday for SNOW! We looked at each other like we heard UFOs landed and started building condos. We had no idea what we got ourselves into. We laughed and got back in our little car.
We would have to stop along the way and ask a ranger. We stopped a lot on the drive north seeing waterfalls and lakes.
We entered the park. It was so exciting and we stopped for a photo op. We drove a little ways and stopped at Lewis Falls, walked down next to a bridge and were super excited to be in the park. We passed by Grant Village and onto West Thumb, our first big stop.
We pulled into the West Thumb Geyeser Basin and saw smoke rising from the earth and smelt the sulfur. The springs and geysers were so cool. We walked along the boardwalks looking at all the different colors that the bacteria/micro organisms create. At different temps there are different colors. The water was boiling in the center of most of these springs and the steam was rising from all of them. The water flowed from some of them causing little streams of stinky water down to the lake. The water and the rocks were brilliant colors. There was also some mud pots boiling over. Then there was an elk laying in the grass eating. I named her Betty. We took off and headed toward Old Faithful. We passed the Continental Divide along the way. At Isa pond, the water flows both ways across the divide. It was awesome. The ponds were covered in lily pads, it was cool. We took a picture of a black crow who looked very well fed. Eric named him Brandon Lee. We then saw Kepler Cascade, a big waterfall. I was ready for a nap by this time. Eric laughed and said “Beat it”, how silly of me. I was energized again when we pulled up to Old Faithful Village. We parked the car (as far away as possible for some reason, Eric...ha). We got out in a jog, we were super excited. We really didn't bring anything but our Yellowstone Treasure book (best), camera and lens (of course, Eric wore the large lens on his belt, so silly). The visitor center was mostly large windows with Old Faithful the center of cement and chairs outside the main windows. We were just in time for the next eruption.

We walked up to Observation Point and after about 20 mins we watched Old Faithful go off. It was so crazy to actually see it in person, I was thrilled. We chose the best spot to view it from. After that was done we went to a geyser called Solitary Geyser. It was my favorite because it was so small.
When it erupted it was like 4 feet tall, it was so funny. I think I like it so much because, like myself, I'm so little and even when I do yell, its still so pathetic and harmless. Ha! We walked around the entire upper basin and saw as many geysers as we could. We waited 45 mins to see Riverside geyser go, it was so awesome. It was like a rocket! We saw some really awesome things. 75% of the entire world's geysers are located in Yellowstone. It's like nothing we've ever seen!
On our way home, it was just sunset. We started driving and saw the most beautiful sunset! The entire sky reflected purples, reds, yellows, and pinks. The clouds were huge and the sun reflected on all of them. I've never seen a sunset fill up the entire landscape. The snow on the peaks of the mountains reflected the colors also and the geysers and lakes.
We pulled over into Firehole Lake Drive to get a better pic and we drove passed a giant Bison! It was so unbelievable. He was just in a field not far from the road having a snack. We stopped and took a bunch of pics – named him George. We kept driving in complete awe of the sky. We were seeing animals all over. It was like we were on an animal hunt. That was so fun and exciting. I was the spotter with the “binos” (Eric calls them that) and he was doing the picture taking. By 8:30 we were exhausted and starving.
We were heading to our new house for the next 3 nights. We knew Bar-N Ranch was gonna be the best. I've been looking forward to staying there since we booked it and Eric was too. I think he was really looking forward to having a fire place in our room and being out in the middle of nowhere. The stars were just coming out and we knew it was gonna be sick without any light pollution. I was tired, hungry, and getting cranky. We made it to the end of the park and hit West Yellowstone. I gave Eric the absolute wrong directions, I was so tired and frustrated with myself. From that point I had to stop being cranky pot and be happy because I just caused a 30 min detour to the hotel and food.
When we did get to Bar-N it was a long unlit driveway and then we saw it... It was glowing in the pitch black, 2 stories of giant windows. The main lodge was so awesome! We didn't even go in yet and we were blown away. About 7 small cabins with big windows and they had the same yellow glow.

We got out of the car and walked into the most amazing lodge I've stepped foot in. It was rustic and classy. Natural wood covered the walls and floors, the glaze and the grain and knots of the wood created the most natural and wonderfully organic pattern. There was large leather furniture, brown and black. They look like they must have been used and worn in for 50 years, yet still looked so inviting and comfy. The tables and wooden chairs were logs and branches like someone went out back picked up some fallen trees and fashioned them into the most rustic furniture. Wood burning fireplaces were stocked with wood, paper, and egg crates for a relaxing fire at the end of the day. There was classic western décor from wall to wall, moose statues, bear skin rugs and antlers. Usually it grosses me out, but this time it did not. I actually fell in love with the place within 2 mins of being in the doorway. The rugs are American Indian, the lamps are antlers and skins. The ceilings are cathedral height. It was our new home and it was perfect. We went up to the counter and met a nice guy named Corey who gave us the low down of the place. Nothing is off limits. The great room is like the living room, start a fire, drink wine, and relax. They also have a TV and a table size checker board. The river is behind the lodge and you can park or walk down. The porch wraps around the building and you can sit wherever we please. Breakfast is free. Dinner can be ordered, but you cook your own on the grill out back. You choose from a menu and they pack everything in a cooler for you. The bar is always well stocked. They will pour and charge your room. You can have your own beer and wine, but not in the main lodge or dining room. We walked toward the staircase up to our room. The staircase was just like the furniture. Branches were finished with a shiny gloss. Over the railings hung animal skins, again not gross. At the top of the steps was a large full length mirror, Yaay (1st one all trip)! The molding of the entire place was cool, it was just logs with the bark still on cut into quarter pieces and nailed it. I loved every detail. Ever time I looked around I found something else to love.
We opened the door to our room, Colter room, #1. The key was on a piece of wood, shiny, it was like what gets cut off at the bottom of the christmas tree at the lot before they put it on the car. We opened the door to our tiny room. It was like winning the lottery. Love at first sight. The room was so small, the bed was a queen and a quilt and down comforter. On the pillows was a creepy stuffed trout, so weird. There was a fireplace at the foot of the bed and a large mantle. The mirror above it was cool. It had a metal frame and metal moose across the bottom. A small white fridge was the only generic part about the room. A set of doors lead to a balcony with a cafe set. The sky was covered in clouds, it was cold. The bathroom was perfect with a large shower in a jetted tub. We took it all in, so lucky. We gave into our growling stomachs and dropped the bags. We were now hunting for food. We found a bar/pizza place in town. The bar tender was also the owner and was very welcoming. We got the 1st table we saw. We ordered pizza and salad. Right before we were about to leave, the 3 men and couple in the place left. The bar tender came over and pulled up a chair. We had a friendly conversation about spring in the park, it was his favorite season because of all of the baby animals. Eric and I found this a little strange because back home, if there was no one else in the bar, we would have gotten dirty looks to leave, instead the owner ordered us another round and started talking. It was nice.
We got back to the lodge and once again we were in awe by the warm glow of the lodge at the end of our mile long driveway. We took out our clothes for our next early day. It was 10:45 pm. My head hit the pillow and I was counting bison. Eric was not far behind me. I felt a strange bump next to my pillow. I looked over, it was the creepy trout! Hysterical! Eric tucked the trout into bed with us, I threw it on the floor. Goodnight! Again! The first full day was a complete success.