Yellowstone bucket list

I spent the last few days in Salt Lake City, Yellowstone, and Jackson Hole Wy. I must say the views were majestic. When we made our way up to Old Faithful the geyser that shows her glory every 92 minutes I was amazed at how many people sit and watched the spectacle unfold and then immediately when it was over they were gone. We live in such a hurry that we do not take the time to be in awe of the beauty that surrounds us. As I pursue my bucket list items I decided to take my time and enjoy everything around me. It doesn't take going to Yellowstone, some of the greatest miracles in the world are right in front of us.
Just thought I would share my thoughts and adventure.

peace to all
Dale

As a young kid when my dad said let’s go…and the dust settled, I was in the back seat of the station wagon ready to go. I well remember the trip from my home in South East Missouri up to hwy 80 and all the wonderful places like Mt. Rushmore and the Badlands and camping, defined in 1968 as sleeping in or beside the station wagon, in the Black Hills. But nothing, absolutely nothing prepared me for what I was to see at Yellowstone. I have made the trip twice since that first time and I still think it is one of the most amazing road trips that exist. At least it is for me. And I guess if the wife type person said in the near future lets go to Yellowstone, when the dust settled, I’d be in the old SUV, position at the ready…namely the back seat with my GPS and assorted maps……….May you empty that bucket of yours. Godspeed.

Jack

You guys are awesome, now this is what living is all about. It is great to take a road trip but I bet for most of us there is beauty in a park close to home. I know there is here in TN. Amazing how it took cancer for me to get out live again.

peace to all
Dale

Dale
Great post!
I agree completely that's why we spent last weekend in Chicago.
It rained most of the time but we made the most of it.
[I have a list, but can;t call it a 'bucket' list. That infers an end. I don't plan on anything 'ending'
anytime soon!!]

Jeff,
I'll wave at Bryce for you tomorrow. I will be up in the Wasatch Mountains tomorrow at Cedar Breaks. Basically between Bryce and Zion. I will post some new Pics on my Facebook site you can check out... Unfortuantely a day trip for work. I love that place and would rather make a weekend out of it.

Dale,
I am three years into this and I can tell you we have been making check marks on that list. I wished I'd of known you were in Salt Lake. I might have simply chosen to ride up that way instead of where I did.

Peace and love to you,

Tony

Dale,

Sounds like a wonderful trip, has to be good for your mind, body, and soul. Even though I have been around the world, to many strange places, never been anywhere in the western part of the US except for San Francisco, and that was nearly 40 years ago.

I will atest, that home is where the heart is for sure. Western SC might not be my dream of dreams, but its been home for the past 16 years. Can be in the mountains in 30 minutes, lots of crystal clear mountain fed lakes, good trout fishing, fairly low crime, lower cost of living. Can be at the ocean in 3 plus hours, or in Atlanta/Charlotte in 90 minutes. Sometimes, its all about compromise.

The two places that stand out the most over time with me, as a kid spent a summer in Madrid Spain, and another one in Gibraltar.

David in SC

I live within three hours of three different entrances to Yellowstone and make it a point to visit there often. My children, now grown and gone, point out that they've got to go backpacking to see anything new (to them) in the park. I showed them an area only 1/2 mile off the road this past summer that proved them wrong and left us by ourselves for hours on a summer weekend. I think you can do an adequate job of seeing Yellowstone if you give yourself a week. Best times to go are when the roads first open in the Spring and before they close in the fall. You've got to be choosy if you have less time- Best geyser basins - Upper, Midway, Lower. Best drive into the park - Beartooth Highway. 2nd best - East entrance to/from Cody. Best views - from Mt Washburn and a lookout off the road from Fishing Bridge to the east entrance. Place most likely to loose your hat FOREVER - Excelsior Geyser. Most animals - Lamar Valley. Best campground with facilities - Madison Junction tent only area. Best place to park at Old Faithful - in the Inn parking (never the main parking lot). Best picnic area - Nez Perce Ford (south end of Hayden valley). Best view of lower falls - Uncle Toms Trail. Best view of canyon - north rim. That should get you started.

realziggy,

Even as Americans, its interesting to me how coastal or regional we can be in our bones. I am, have been, and always will be an "East Coaster", no real explanation other than I have to have the Atlantic ocean next to me. My brother and sister have lived in Colorado long term, and don't even enjoy visiting the East Coast, let alone live here. As I mentioned above, all I ever saw west was the great and beautiful city of San Francisco, still hoping to take my bride of 35 years one day there for the honeymoon we never had.

Dale it was a great post and I think taking our minds away from cancer is incredibly important. For most of us we can relate to the outdoors or to vacations long ago in our youth. A friend taught me about the word "Eureka" and it simply means that we have discovered something important or meaninful in our life. Sometimes it is in an activity or in a relationship. Sometimes the Eureka was there all the time, but we were not paying attention. But nothing like a quiet haunting sunset at Mesa Verde to sooth the soul. Eureka!!

Michael

I have spent so much time in CA but never been to Yosemite, I think I will ad that to the growing number of things on the bucket list.
Thanks for all the post and great to see everyone enjoying life however, whenever, and where ever you can.

peace and love
Dale

When you come, try to plan a day open to get out into the wonderful desert playground with us. Bring the family, and leave it to us for that day. You can call it anything you want. I will call it a blessing.

Tony