The Great Yellowstone Family Vacation

It was the summer of 2007 and this was my first vacation with my husband's family. We were all very excited to go as this was planned since the previous fall and had booked our cabin in the winter. Destination was Yellowstone National Park. All four families would be traveling together in three vehicles.

We met early in the morning at the grandparent's residence and headed north. The saying goes, "if Grandpa is up and ready, you better be too!" After crossing the South Dakota border, our caravan stopped at a truck stop for breakfast. The two pancakes that I ordered were the size of the plate. Obviously my eyes were bigger than my stomach. Continuing on our journey we brushed by the interesting rock formations that make up the Black Hills. We also passed through Rapid City and Sturgis.

Sheridan, W.Y. and the Big Horn Mountains

Our next main stop was Sheridan, W.Y. at the foot of the Big Horn Mountains. We had a very nice dining experience at the Rib and Chop House. All our meals were wonderful and it was nice to have something other than fast food and gas station snacks. We toured the town's main street for a little while, and then returned to our hotel. Some enjoyed the hotel pool, others relaxed in our rooms.

Next morning, we headed toward the Big Horn Mountains through their national forest. We stopped at a vantage point to take pictures of the valley below. It is one of the oldest national reserves that span 30 miles wide and 80 miles long. 1000 years of forest have provided human culture with abundance. Teepee poles, lumber and big game were provided by the forest. Currently the area is used for recreational purposes, with campgrounds, picnic areas, visitor centers and ski areas plus trails.

The Cabin Experience

Our next stop was near Cody, W.Y. where we had reserved a family cabin. The cabin was about 9 miles from the entrance of Yellowstone National park. We unloaded our three vehicles and relaxed. The cabin at Goff Creek Lodge was definitely not what was expected. It was rather cramped and there was a shower that was installed in what used to be a closet! A few of us ordered supper at their little "restaurant" and paid too much money for a simple "meat and potatoes" meal. We previously booked the cabin for three nights""¢we stayed for only two as we were rather miserable. The picture and description on their website made it out to be a wonderful place; however it was far from wonderful. Note to anyone that is going to visit Yellowstone...find a hotel in Cody, W.Y. or stay at the Old Faithful Inn Hotel within the park.

Mammoth Hot Springs

While in Yellowstone National Park, we visited Mammoth Hot Springs. This was a really neat area to see as the hot springs were at a plateau and a variety of colors came from the spring and trickled down the mountain. There was also local wildlife just relaxing in the grass nearby. Wildlife literally roams free in the park. Yielding to animals while you're on the highway is not uncommon in these parts. There are various trails that go through the springs. Do not touch the water as it is very hot!!! After the trails we headed to the eating location that served quick food items and ice cream.

Old Faithful and the Grand Tetons

Next stop was Old Faithful which is a geyser that releases pressure averaging every 90 minutes with an approximately 65-minute long duration. In the late 1800's, Old Faithful was used for laundry by expeditions through the great park. Cotton and linens were kept in one piece, but woolens were shredded by the pressure of boiling water spurting upwards at an average 145 feet. Earthquakes and various factors affect Old Faithful. Yellowstone National Park has about 10,000 active geysers or springs.

After having a restless second night at our cabin which was thankfully our last night at that location, we headed towards the Grand Tetons the next morning. These mountains are very beautiful as they overlook a large lake. We stopped at Jenny Lake to take in the view, snap pictures and wade in the clear, cold water. After stopping at the visitor center to browse and pick up a few souvenirs, we headed to Jackson Hole, W.Y.

Jackson Hole, W.Y.

This city has many choices for shopping, restaurants, lodging and entertainment. There are a variety of things to do in this area such as golfing, fishing, skiing, rafting and hunting. John Wayne's first speaking part was in this location and it was also believed the first time he ever rode a horse. Many feature films were made on location including "Rocky IV". Actor Harrison Ford is a long-time resident and the upscale Amangi Resort is the only Amanresort in the U.S. located in Jackson Hole.

Overall, the vacation was one that would never be forgotten. We all had our moments of annoying each other, as you can imagine would happen on a long trip. In the end, it was a great experience and I would love to do this again. We also learned how to travel as a large family and I think we've become pros at it now.