Day 17: Wall, SD to Omaha, NE 470 miles

Long haul drive day.  Breaking camp was not as efficient as setting up camp.  Since we lose an hour on the drive, we set our clocks ahead before we left so we would be cognizant of the arrival time.  The rolling hills of South Dakota are great.  The only thing I did not like was the photo enforced speed control.  I think I was caught!  110 in a 55 is not that bad.... (JK: 70ish in 55)
We looked for lunch in Sioux Fall, SD.  We had lunch here last time after getting Betsy at the airport.  This year however, we did not eat there.  Why? .....The Stench!  Molly had her stink of the day and maybe the stink of the trip.  Everyone had a turned up nose (except GreGary).  The kids dubbed it Sioux-age Falls.
We stayed at Marriott's new property Element.  We had a full kitchen and a very comfortable bed.  The pre-July 4th fireworks (or gunshots) were near by.  All is good! 

Day 16: Rapid City, SD to Wall, SD 110 miles

When we pulled into the hotel the night before, the kids could not miss the fact that a waterpark was attached to the hotel.  We knew that this hotel’s main focus was laundry so downtime was scheduled.  We did not expect that the kids would spend 3.5 hours in the park.  They had a blast!  The entertainment value was off the charts.  Every kid had an ear to ear smile.  I could watch Greg have his dramatic play time in the lazy river for hours.  He would go around and around acting out scenes from his deep imagination.  The kids barreled down waterslides, climbed through a water park or just relaxed in the lazy river.  We opted for the late check out and we just rolled with it.  Vacation needs to have “roll with it” time.  Today was that day.

The formula of the day: Water Park >Dead Presidents

We missed Rushmore.

However, we did hit the Badlands.  It is great to see people’s first impression of the Badlands.  For my mom, dad, and Marta, they had never been here.  It is a fascinating place.  We hit the park at 90 degrees, and it was a hot 90. 

After that we went to good ole Sleep Hallow Camp site.  For those of you who followed us last year, you might remember the story of the train hooking and unhooking railcars 100 feet from our heads.  Why did we go back….because lightning cannot strike twice!

Thankfully, we did not have any hookups, but, we did have 4 trains go through between 11 and 1 am (or at least that is what Jen told me, I enjoyed sleeping).

We also said good bye to my folks.  They have a flight tomorrow morning and need to catch a flight out of Omaha.  It was great to have them along.  My mom hit 3 new states and had a chance to see Yellowstone.  As a son, it is great to be able to take your folks on a vacation and have beer at a campsite with them.  We were so thankful that they were able to join us on this adventure.  It was great!

Day 15: Yellowstone, WY to Rapid City, SD 550 miles

Good Bye Yellowstone!  The ground squirrels woke us up bright and early.  These little buggers were on our porch and nearly under foot all morning.  Jen made breakfast for 13 on the front porch and we were on our way.  Of course, the license plate game is an important aspect of any roadtrip.  We play very competitively!  If someone is not crying, it is not worth it.  We play heading west, then another game in Yellowstone, and then a game heading home.  The inside Yellowstone came down to South Carolina for Molly against Liam.  Needless to say, boys rule, girls drool!

For the drive, we talked with veteran roadtripper: Brian Hirsch when we were in Chicago and we strategized about heading out from the north of Yellowstone through Mountana to South Dakota.  The idea is that you do not have to go through the high climbs of the Rockies.  We opted to do this drive and stop at the Battle of Little Bighorn.  Cool place to visit.

Rapid City is when we are able to meet up with Jim again.  There are not too many people in the world who will fly from Boston to Rapid City, SD just to drive back to Boston!  Jim is that guy! 

He had pizza waiting for us after a long haul drive.  

Day 14: Yellowstone, WY

We had a great breakfast in the Inn before heading up to the north east portion of Yellowstone.  The land was so different than the rest of Yellowstone.  One of my gripes of Yellowstone is that the roads are lined with trees so close that you cannot see beyond the trees.  On the northeast side of the upper loop, this is not the case.  We could see for miles and truly appreciate the size of the park.

For the last night, we were all together in 3 cabins in Mammoth Hot Springs.  We had a great dinner and got the kids to bed by 11pm.

Day 13: Yellowstone, WY

FISHING DAY!

When it was raining and 40 degrees at 6:15, I was concerned.

When it was raining and 44 degrees at 7:00, I was concerned.

When Marta had the door close on her toe and caused her big toe to get ripped off, I was concerned.

We had to be at the marina at 7:45, it was cold, raw, and raining.

We rushed to get out of the hotel and to the docks, but in our haste, the room door closed on Marta’s foot and tore the toenail.  If you are scoring at home, this is our second injury, both to Marta!

We treated her foot, and called the marina to say we were going to arrive after 8.

Once we started, the rain picked up and the boat sped to East Yellowstone Lake.  Our guide was great.  She lives at Yellowstone year round and was very knowledgable. 

Marta and Liam caught native trout in the 4-6 pound range.  They needed to be released.

Overall, it was a great day!

We saw many bison, elk, and deer throughout the park.

At night, we had an interesting sleeping arrangement on paper: Meg went back to Lake Hotel, and we stayed at Old Faithful Inn.  The room, however, had 3 queen beds and no bathroom.  It was as close to camping as I could get my mom.  It was a beautiful room and amazing hotel.  I felt like Teddy Roosevelt was holding court in the main sitting area of the hotel.

We ate well and slept well.

Day 12: Yellowstone, WY

Today we explored the southwestern areas of Yellowstone.  Old Faithful was fun to see.  We recommend walking around the famous landmark to the back on the boardwalk.  You can get a tremendous view without all the people.

Dinner was at the Old Faithful Inn.  For Meg and me, it was nice to treat my folks to dinner.  We left them and headed to Lake Hotel.  Lake Hotel is a signature hotel, so I have no reason to stay there.  Each night we have split up the family into several different sleeping arrangements.  We typically have 2 adults and 2 kids in each room.  Meg has been taking at least one, but many times 2 kids in her room.  Overnight there is a chance of snow…Did I mention that I charted a fishing trip tomorrow….

Day 11: Salt Lake City, UT to Yellowstone, WY 428 miles

BEARS! & Happy Birthday Dad

We said good bye to Jim before we left.  Jim has been ‘on’ this whole trip.  Taking conference calls on the road, getting email and texts throughout.  He has been able to integrate work and vacation very well.  He will be rejoining us after Yellowstone.

My folks travel with Meg’s family.  Meg (driving) sent me a photo of all 5 of here passengers asleep. 

When I was 14, I went on a cross country trip with my school.  There were 10 of us and 1 chaperone.  My two favorite locations were: Wilsonville, NE (population 103) & Grand Tetons.  I wanted to test if my recollection was accurate; It was.  The Tetons reminded me of Glacier National but with a different feel.  We did a huge grocery shop before we arrived at the parks.  The Tetons are just south Yellowstone.  There are two lakes: Lake Jenny and Lake Leigh. These lakes are separated by String Lake.  Jen whipped up a delicious meal of grilled chicken with a vinaigrette and salad.

The kids took off to explore the surrounding area.  A mule deer  came into our area to see what we were up to.  Liam decided to explore the surrounding area.  He returned a few minutes later and declared that he saw a bear.  I was suspect.  The main road 200 yards away and the area was populated.  Liam stood by his story and as a supportive father, my instinct was to not squash his story, but it did not pass the fuzzy eye-ball test.  5 minutes later a hiker approached me and said a mama bear and her cub were 100 yards away and going away from us, but we should be alert.  I turned to Liam and he gave me a coy smile.  I gave him a fist bump and returned to the grill.  Less than 5 minutes later mama and her cub waddled into the picnic area.  We scrambled to get the kids to the truck and move the food away.  The bears were 20 yards away and were focused on a tree stump.  The bear attacked the stump with her huge claws and disturbed the ants and termites.  After a snack, they moved on.  What a sight to see!

Our Yellowstone arrival was by 9:45 and it was still light.  We filled the rooms and got ready to sleep on a super day under a super moon.