We went to Missoula to visit Matthew. This was our first trip since he moved out there about six months ago. Nathan met up with us along the way and we all arrived together. I was very excited for a trip with just the four of us again.
Lynn had a very busy week preparing to be away for eight days. Shortly after we boarded, she started feeling really bad. By the time we got to the hotel, she was down for the count. We got a covid test and, of course, it’s positive. The next two days she locked herself in the hotel room. I moved into Nathan’s room.
Day 1 – Lynn’s doctor ordered up some Paxlovid. While Lynn tried to recover, the guys went hiking in the local hills, got dinner together, and hung out a Matthew’s apartment.
Day 2 – She wasn’t better but rallied a bit as we drove to Yellowstone. That’s a long trip from Missoula. Four hours to get to the park; 90 minutes inside the part to arrive at the Yellowstone Lake Hotel.
Day 3 – Feeling a bit better, we took the Yellowstone South Loop drive. It’s amazing how big that park is. The South Loop is an easy two hour drive. Our stops included:
- West Thumb with many amazing hot springs. It’s so cool to see the water just boiling in the pools. The water is clear and deep but boiling like crazy. It’s not an illusion, if you touch it, it’s HOT.
- Old Faithful is definitely something to see. But it’s not the only geyser there. They all shoot very high in the air.
- Lots of other stops along the way too. So many geysers, falls and overlooks. We were on the road for most of the day.
Day 4 – Ready to vacation again, we headed for the North Loop and made lots of stops.
- We started at the “Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone”. This really felt like the Grand Canyon. The erosion from the river and falls were stunning.
- Our drive through Lamar Valley was to look for wildlife. We found it in Bison. There are SO many, it’s amazing. They’re HUGE and everywhere. But we didn’t see any bears.
- The valley follows the Lamar River, Lynn wanted to stop at a “Rivery River” stop. Nathan and Matthew were climbing on the big rocks/boulders. Nathan slipped and got to ride home in his “skivies”.
- Our stop at Mammoth Hot Springs was really cool. The Travistine (expelled Limestone) created a massive mountain over the springs.
- Norris Geyser is unique in that most of the other geysers are just hot water. Norris is sulfuric acid. You shouldn’t touch this water and it looks like your on another planet.
Day 5 – We returned to Missoula. Again the drive out of the park took two hours and then another four to get back to Missoula.
Day 6 – Nathan headed for home. Matthew and Lynn toured Missoula. I worked.
Day 7 – We flew home. Our best option was to leave afternoon and arrive home at 1:00am
