Summer 2021 as Covid continued we needed another outdoorsy plan for our holiday. A road trip again but no RV this time, instead a selection of unique accommodation.
We flew to Jackson Hole, one of the nicest, small airports and with a great mountain view – which we miss. With the helpful time difference from Miami we arrived late morning, left our bags at our hotel – chosen for its in town location – and were able to walk in to the centre of Jackson Hole. We picked up sandwiches and drinks and people watched from the town square. Then we followed the main road out to the Jackson Hole & Yellowstone Visitors Center with views over the Elk Refuge. As we walked through the town the toboggan tracks at the Snow King resort were spotted so even though the weather was looking iffy we had to go and check it out. As we arrived the rain started so we sheltered in the cafe and once it stopped we were first in line for the Cowboy Coaster!
Next morning we were up and out in good time to get to our next destination, driving through the Grand Teton National Park to get to Old Faithful. At the visitor center times are given for the predicted ‘eruptions’ so we had some time to walk the trails around the many other geysers before taking position with 100s for Old Faithful. The timing predictions were incredibly accurate – hence the name, presumably!
Trying to keep ahead of the crowds, after lunch from the visitor’s center shop, we continued on to the Grand Prismatic Lake. Amazing colours! Park where you can and walk alongside the river, finding hot spots in the water, and up to the boardwalk circling the main lake.
Onwards again towards Yellowstone Lake, a quick pit stop here at the marina for a drink and a huckleberry lolly – a very Yellowstone flavour! Arriving early evening at Pahaska Tepee, our first triangle cabin. Lots of Buffalo Bill history at this site, plus horseshoe toss and a river to dam! It was my daughter’s birthday whilst we were here and part of the reason I chose this accommodation was because they had a riding stable, so for her treat we were booked on a 2 hour horse ride.
Late afternoon we drove by the Buffalo Bill State Park and Buffalo Bill Dam, with a quick stop to look at the visitor center. Then continuing on for a wander around Cody before our evening activity – the Cody Rodeo. Truly a unique experience!
Leaving Cody and the cowboys and girls behind us we travelled north towards Heart Mountain and Big Quiet Farm Stay for our next 2 nights. This was definitely back to basics. In our teepee there were 5 camp beds, a few mats on the floor and a lot of large chirping crickets! The farm supplied great, thick sleeping bags and pillows, so we set up our beds and then went back out to explore. Down at the Shoshone River the children paddled in the cold water, some fishing and then we stumbled upon The Heart Mountain Interpretive Center. We didn’t go into the center but took a look at the memorial site and by chance the project manager of the new virtual reality exhibit was there from Boston. He showed us how to use our phones to scan the signs and trigger videos to project the stories from this WWII Japanese Confinement site. History we had no idea about. Very interesting stories of the Japanese families moved here during the war and how they became part of the Heart Mountain community. He mentioned how people return each year as a pilgrimage and they were attending the celebration that evening at Big Quiet Farm! When we booked we were told that members of the Crow Native American tribe would also be staying for an event and pipe ceremony and that we were welcome. We joined them for food and watched their dancing and as they paid their respects to their elder Grant Bulltail who had recently died. The following morning the group was to climb Heart Mountain – the same plan as we had. The following evening the campground was quieter and we were happy to use the firepit to grill sausages and toast marshmallows.
Next day we left Wyoming and crossed the border in to Montana, driving on the scenic Beartooth Highway. We visited Red Lodge and the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary, picnicked at Wild Bill Lake and the supermarket to stock up on supplies before reaching our more remote accommodation for the next 3 nights. More time on the Beartooth Highway and a lucky stop at Rock Creek Vista Point where cute chipmunks climbed the rocks and could be fed seed. Another impromptu stop, in search of snow, then back in to Wyoming, close to Hunter Peak, to find our yurt and a treat for my husband and his fishing as it was located very close to the river.
From the yurt we explored our surroundings each day; the Shoshone National Forest, Beartooth Lake, Crazy Creek Falls, Sunlight Creek bridge (Wyoming’s highest bridge), Clarks Fork on the Yellowstone river and Cooke City for ice cream and that cowboy town feel. Anywhere where they could paddle, climb, fish or eat.
The last leg of trip took us back in to Yellowstone to Bozeman, Montana. We really enjoyed the bison traffic on the road as we drove to Mammoth Hot Springs where we parked and explored the moon like landscape. Our next plan was a dip in Boiling River, but the area was closed so we picnicked and paddled in the colder water downstream and then rain clouds moved in so it worked out for us to keep on moving. For a relaxing end to our busy couple of weeks exploring we visited the Bozeman Hot Springs. We really liked the feel of Bozeman – a modern, bustling university town. Nice shops on the main street and plenty of busy restaurants. We were ready to eat and decided we couldn’t wait for a table at our first couple of choices but unexpectedly found a quieter Asian restaurant, with local bison dishes which were great! Our hotel was close to the airport so one easy last journey to catch our flight.
What a great theme for this entry to your travel blog! I feel fortunate to have heard many of these stories in person!