Yellowstone Part 2, Moving into South Dakota

Our first day in Yellowstone was really great. We saw things we've always thought about seeing but today was the day to endure the crowds and see the more iconic areas of the park. We didn't get up as early as the day before, maybe that would have helped since getting to the iconic areas from the north entrance is a longer drive than where we were. Anyway, we got into the park and sped past the sights we had seen and ventured on to the Norris Geyser Basin. A series of several hot springs smaller geysers that you access from an extensive boardwalk around the area. We took the 1 mile loop however there is a 1.6 mile loop too. The weather was pretty hot and in that area with the hot springs and humidity we decided 1 mile of geysers was enough. The loop we took was the back basing where we could see Steamboat, Emerald, Cistern, Echinus and Green Dragon Geysers. All had unique features, some more amazing than others.

Green Dragon Geyser

Green Dragon Lady? Geyser

The parking lot was a madhouse but having our small car now we were able to find a good parking space and enjoyed our walk around the series of Geysers and hot springs.

After we got our fill of sulfur smell and humid air from the geysers, we headed to Tuff Cliff for a light lunch before tackling more crowds at Grand Prismatic Springs.

We almost missed Grand Prismatic Springs but the ton of cars parked on the side of the road due to the full parking lot made us take a second look and we found a spot along the road and walked back.

Streams of tourists, mainly from other countries. Using their selfie sticks and posing like crazy.

Our first stop was the Turquoise Pool

Then around the boardwalk area to the Grand Prismatic Springs. What an incredible array of colors and warm air coming off the hot springs. I was able to squeeze between tourists to get some nice colorful shots.

Enlarge the photo to read about the Excelsior Geyser

Excelsior Geyser

The whole area in Yellowstone is an incredible bed of geothermal activity. Amazing what can happen over thousands of years.

Had to get our shameless selfie too

Then it was on to Old Faithful where the crowds were really thick. Took a while to find a parking spot and we had a little walk to the gift shop and then on to see the geyser. Old Faithful erupts about every 1-1/2 hours. Fortunately we only had about a 30-40 minute wait when we got there.

 The closer it got to the eruption time the crowds grew. There's a nice seating bench along the geyser rim and some fallen trees further back that provided some shade for folks that didn't want the closer view.

There she goes

I believe the spout goes as high as a hundred feet or more. 

It was certainly worth waiting for. 

Well that was a full day and after some refreshment in the gift shop(ice cream) we started toward the west entrance to the park. 

We met some folks at the RV Dreams Rally in Pahrump, NV in April and Glenda had become FB friends with Leesa Palmer. They're workamping at an RV park in West Yellowstone. Since we were in the area the ladies made arrangements to meet for dinner. Leesa recommended Bullwinkle's Saloon and Eatery. 

Glenda and I got there a little early but shortly after Leesa and Gary came in. It was great meeting them again and getting to know them a little better. We found out we have several things in common. 

They're a fun couple and we look forward to meeting up with them again some time. Maybe in AZ this winter. We'll see where their travels take them. Leesa and Gary have been full timers since 2011(I think) and still loving it.     

We could have spent all night talking but we had a bit of a drive back to our RV park and they had to work the next day. So we said our see you later's and off we went. 

It was a wonderful time in Yellowstone and Montana and now we need to move further east. We did a quick stop overnight in Wyoming(new state) and then on into South Dakota. 

We had reservations at Chris's Campground in Spearfish, SD. which is near the border of WY and SD but not too far from Rapid City, Sturgis, Custer State Park and Deadwood. 

The RV park had a funky layout but when we checked in I told them we didn't have a good situation with our AC so they accommodated us with a nice back in SHADY site. It was 97 degrees that day when we arrived. 

We got set up and Glenda did some laundry. We took a walk around the park and rested under the awning in the shade. 

The next day we took a drive through Spearfish Canyon and along the route we drove through Lead and then a stop in Deadwood. Quite a tourist trap but lots of history. We took a bus ride around the town and up to Mount Moriah Cemetery also called Boot Hill. Why Boot Hill YOU ASK? Well folks there were buried in their boots. 

Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane are buried there. Very interesting cemetery and a fun place. 

Deadwood is a cool town with cool characters. This guy was playing in front of the distillery where they were selling moonshine. 

The next day we took a drive through Custer SP and the Needles Highway. Wouldn't want to take the motorhome through some of these places. Love the landscape. 

We came around a corner on the Needles Highway and these guys were right on the side of the road grazing.

That would be a tight fit. 

We had a great visit to our mailing address state of South Dakota and even got a nice view of Mount Rushmore. 

We stopped in at Americas Mailbox where we have our mail sent and they forward it on to us where ever we are. I told them we would be in the area so they had our mail ready for us to pick up. They have some rooms to stay in if you're in the area without your rig and they have a campground if you do. 

It was a nice stop as we made our way across the country on our way to Iowa and the Winnebago Grand National Rally. We can get the AC fixed and have some fun. 

That's something for another post. 

We did stop in Minnesota overnight on the way to Iowa and got in a nice bike ride and a geocache. 

More on the Winnebago Rally next post.