June 16 – 18th ~ Yellowstone National Park ~
Old Faithful
We managed to land an RV spot at Madison Campground for three nights thanks to Tim’s patient charm and a ranger that went over and beyond being helpful.
For two and a half days we showed Shirley the highlights of our favorite National Park. There is so much so see here, but we realized that hiking long distances, climbing a lot of stairs, or navigating over rough terrain would be too much. We chose places based on natural beauty, uniqueness and ease of access.
OLD FAITHFUL
A trip to Yellowstone is not complete without seeing Old Faithful erupt.
We also went inside the Old Faithful Lodge so Shirley could see the unique way wooden branches were used in the design.
Old Faithful Lodge
MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS
Mammoth Hot Springs
FIREHOLE LAKE DRIVE
Along Firehole Lake Drive
White Dome erupting
GRAND PRISMATIC
The tourist busses were out in force and walking the loop was challenging – but we managed…
Grand Prismatic
BLACK SAND BASIN
Not nearly as popular as many of the loops, this one has always been one of my favorites. I think I just like the extreme contrast of color and remnants of scorched trees.
Black Sand Basin
YELLOWSTONE LAKE
Yellowstone Lake with a hot steam pot
UPPER AND LOWER FALLS
Shirley did not have her visor with her today so she got the honor of wearing my “Writer” cap. HaHa, no one else has been so lucky 🙂
Upper Falls
Lower Falls
Lower Falls
GRAND CANYON OF THE YELLOWSTONE
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
ARTISTS PAINT POTS
At Artists Paintpots
Tim connecting to his roots 🙂
BUFFALO
It was calving season and babies were in abundance. We actually saw them throughout the park, but the ones we saw on this trip closest to the road were on the west side of the park just south of Madison.
Mother and calf
On June 18th we celebrate Shirley’s 83rd birthday!!! We think celebrating a birthday at one of the most beautiful places on earth is pretty special.
The toe touching continues at each of our National Parks…
Happy Birthday to this amazing 83 years young lady!
GRATITUDE MOMENT: Today I am grateful for helpful rangers, and weather that cooperated (almost) all of the time for our visit to Yellowstone. We had to dawn our rain jackets at Mommoth Hot Springs, but only for a short time. I’m also thankful that we are able to celebrate with Shirley as she completes her 83rd rotation around the sun.
A Note From Abroad 
I’m so glad you were able to get a spot at Yellowstone. It is an amazing park. We visited on our motorcycle and I loved every minute. Happy Birthday to Shirley!!
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Thank you Darlene. I’ll pass your birthday wishes on to her ❤️
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When you get home, I think you should do a wrap up of just Shirley touching her toes. Great little collection of pictures. Happy birthday to h,er. 😌
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Ray, you read my mind 😁
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Great minds and all that. Well, one great mind and me. 🙂
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Wow! It’s still beautiful. I haven’t been there since 1972 or so.
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Me too!
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Then it’s about time for a revisit!
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Yes, it is!
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My favorite place, so amazing out there!
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Mine too!
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Great photos!
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Thanks!
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Great pictures!! I haven’t been to Yellowstone since I was a little girl in the 1970s, love looking at your pictures especially the one looking up at the ceiling of the Yellowstone Lodge, my dad took a very similar picture on his old slide camera years ago!!!
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That lodge is such a classic. I hope a return visit is in your future.
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Happy Birthday Shirley! Love your adventures and your toe touching!!
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Thank you!
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Beautiful pictures and what a fun way to celebrate a birthday! Was Old Faithful not that crowded that day or were you just able to cut most of the people out of the picture? I’ve never visited, but always figured that’d be a crowded spot.
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Tracy, it was crowded, but people are only on one side and kept back a safe distance. You must stay on the boardwalk. In between eruptions (about every 98 minutes) the crowd dies down.
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83 is an excellent innings. 😀 … may she have many more. 🙂
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Thank you very much ❤️
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You did a great job hitting the highlights! Lovely photos, and finding Tim’s roots was pretty funny. 😉
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Having been to Yellowstone several times in the past it was not too difficult to have several favorite places to share with Tim’s mom. The “roots” shot was just a bonus 😁
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I am hoping to be headed out here in July and im so excited! thanks for sharing!
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Have a fabulous time! It is truly a remarkable place to visit.
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