WILD WEST YELLOWSTONE SUMMARY

Day 1 - I watched the sun rise on my way to the airport to catch my early flight. I was picked up in San Francisco by my coworker, Steven, in the same van as my previous trip. After getting organized and meeting all the guests, we set out for a few views of the Golden Gate Bridge. We then enjoyed a group welcome dinner at a waterside restaurant in Saulsalito.

Day 2 - We drove south along the Pacific coast to the Fitzgerald Marine Preserve, where we wandered among the tide pools. We explored the wharf at Santa Cruz (complete with playful sea lions), then headed to the mission of San Juan Bautista. After seeing the museum and grounds, we made a brief stop at the expansive San Juan Reservoir (with its impressive interactive movie).

Day 3 - We spent the entire day in Yosemite National Park! We saw the giant sequoia at the Mariposa Grove, the old historic cabins and covered bridge at Wawona, did a hike up to Glacier Point, walked to Bridalveil Fall, and enjoyed many more sites.

Day 4 - We left Yosemite over Tioga Pass (which included several viewpoints as well as a walk to Soda Springs where we drank the bitter water bubbling up from the ground!) then spent some time exploring Bodie Ghost town. We spent the night in the charming little town of Bridgeport.

Day 5 - At Lake Tahoe, we stopped for some lovely views and had lunch by a waterfall.... with a ground squirrel who had high hopes for dropped crumbs. We said good-bye to California and headed into Nevada. Virginia City was charming with its historic buildings and wooden boardwalks!

Day 6 - We explored the ruins of Fort Churchill and Buckland Station, an old Pony Express stop. We swung by the shores of salty Walker Lake then drove out to Tonopah, with a visit to a mining museum. For those who wanted to go, we set out into the desert for a rock hunting excursion, complete with curious feral mules. After darkness fell and the Milky Way appeared, we were given the added bonus of seeing a rocket launch all the way from Vandenberg Airforce Base (in California)!

Day 7 - We drove through the desert which was filled with Joshua trees, bighorn sheep, mustangs and ... aliens! The small town of Rachel (located near Area 51) had a fun assortment of items. The slot canyons at Cathedral Gorge were spectacular as well as extremely fun to explore! We literally ended the day with a bang, a 4th of July fireworks celebration in Ely.

Day 8 - At the Nevada Northern Train Museum, we were allowed to walk all over the yard, including where trains were being repaired! Then at Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park, we saw beehive-shaped ore smelters from the late 1870s. After a picnic in the mountains at Great Basin National Park, we crossed the border into Utah.

Day 9 - We took a shuttle to the top of the Kennecott (Bingham Canyon) Mine, one of the largest open-pit copper mines in the world. It was indeed massive! Lunch was at the Garage Grill, an impressive race-car-themed restaurant. We then wandered the shores of the Great Salt Lake, including doing a hike on Antelope Island, which offered stunning views of the area. In Salt Lake City, I watched a gorgeous sunset from my hotel window.

Day 10 - After watching a brilliant performance by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, we headed up to the state capitol building. The rest of the day was open, so I spent it at the Red Butte Botanic Garden. Wonderful!

Day 11 - Up at the Utah Olympic Park in Park City, we watched professional skiers train on dry ski jumps, sometimes even landing in a swimming pool! At Fossil Butte National Monument, we enjoyed the museum (and ranger talk) then took a nice hike among the hills where we were watched by pronghorn. We clipped Idaho on our way into Wyoming, arriving in Jackson in the early evening.

Day 12 - We explored Grand Teton National Park today. Our adventures included magnificent views, waterfalls, a ferry ride, historic barns, a black bear, and several moose (inlcuding a mom and baby). In Jackson, we walked under a massive arch made of antlers, and some performers put on a comedy gunfight in the street.

Day 13 - We did a small hike around Jackson Lake then headed into Yellowstone. Along with herds of bison, we enjoyed the numerous geysers, hot springs, steam vents and mud pots at West Thumb, Biscuit Basin and the Fuontain Paint Pots. We also got to add another state to our list! Hello, Montana!

Day 14 - Along with Midway Basin, Old Faithful and Mud Volcano, we also visited the colorful Yellowstone valley. We saw plenty of bison as well as elk (including a small family camped out on our hotel lawn!)

Day 15 - We enjoyed another full day in Yellowstone, with Mammoth Hot Springs (which was unfortnately mostly dried up), Norris Geyser Basin, strolls at Tower Falls and Calcite Springs, the Rooselvelt Arch, plus of course more wildlife, including a bald eagle!

Dat 16 - We headed east out of the park on our way to Cody. We stopped for a walk at Crazy Creek, a museum in Cooke City, and enjoyed the scenic views from Chief Joseph Highway. In the evening, we enjoyed the magnificent Bufflo Bill museum, a final dinner together, and a local rodeo.

Day 17 - The airport at Cody was small! I can't remember the last time I boarded a plane on the tarmac! Unfortunately I hit a delay in the Denver terminal since the ground train had come to a halt. The area quickly filled with trapped people. Eventually the problem was solved and I hopped on the bus home.