Palo Duro Canyon State Park with the Carful of Kids

Along the rim of Palo Duro Canyon, 30 miles southwest of Amarillo, Texas.

The carful of kids were last seen in Boulder, Colorado, taking some kid-friendly tours and learning about weather and tea. We have been on a road trip through the Rocky Mountains and into Canada for nearly a month seeing some epic scenery. Since we are back in our home state of Texas, we need a unique place to spend the night.

Palo Duro Canyon State Park (11450 Park Road Five) is located 30 miles southwest of Amarillo, off of Interstate 27. It is open daily and the admission for every one over 13 is $5 and kids 12 and under are free.

Palo Duro Canyon State Park is home to the second largest canyon in the U.S. At 120 miles long, 20 miles wide and 800 feet deep, it's the Grand Canyon of Texas. With its beautiful red and orange striations, this is a great stop on a road trip.

Palo Duro Canyon State Park was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) from 1933 to 1934. The CCC did extensive work constructing public lands during the Great Depression as a part of the New Deal.

The CCC built the road into the canyon, the cabins that dot the canyon floor and the cabins along the rim. They also built a lodge that is now the Visitors Center.

This area has a long history of human existence that began around 12,000 years ago. The Apache, Comanche and Kiowa used this area extensively. On September 28, 1874, Colonel Mackenzie and the fourth U.S. Cavalry invaded and captured the Comanche Indians' horses and winter supplies. This battle, later call the Battle of Palo Duro, lead to the surrender of Quanah Parker at Fort Sill.

This is Cabin 4 in the Cow Camp Loop.

The carful of kids have a reservation for one of the CCC-built cabins in the Cow Camp Loop at the bottom of Palo Duro Canyon. One of four stone cabins ($60/night plus the daily adult entrance fee), my carful of kids love them. Of course, it is hard to keep my boys from climbing the walls.

Each cabin has been updated with modern conveniences while keeping its historical integrity. Each unit has a pair of bunk beds with electricity and an air-conditioning and heating window unit. The inside of the cabin is rustic enough to satisfy the adventurer in your family.

This cabin features two rooms with a pair of bunk beds; you will find a window unit and an overheat light.

Outside of each cabin is a picnic table with a fire pit and hanger for your lantern. If there is a burn ban in affect, which happens in a drought; you can plug your electric skillet into their electrical outlet.

The restrooms with showers are located nearby in the Mesquite Camp Area. Palo Duro Canyon State Park also features 79 electric sites with water and numerous walk-in sites along with an equestrian camping area.

The cabins are clustered together but obscured from each other.

The carful of kids love this park and we have visited several times during our road trip adventures. The cabins can't be beat for their backdrop, historic appeal and price.

Palo Duro Canyon State Park has recently added an event center that is available for rent. It blends seamlessly into the surroundings and is an asset to the park. Another favorite summer of the park is the annual musical production, Texas! performed at the Pioneer Amphitheater, Tuesday through Sunday.

After a great night in our cabin, the carful of kids are ready to see their pets and sleep in their own beds. We really appreciate the time you spent with us as we explored the national parks of the Rocky Mountains.

Up Next: Our Winter Break road trip to ski Lake Tahoe

Know before you go:

• Make reservations months in advance for the CCC Cabins of Palo Duro Park.

• During the summer, the temperature at the bottom of the canyon can be very hot.

• There is a store at the bottom of the canyon but no gas station.

• The rim cabin are not the best option for kids due to their siting along the rim of the canyon.

Teatime in Boulder

Hairnets for the Celestial Seasonings Tea Tour.

The carful of kids spent approximately a month on the road exploring the wonders of the Rocky Mountains. With stops at Scotts Bluff and Devils Tower national monuments and excursions into Glacier and Banff national parks, we spent the majority of our time wandering through Yellowstone National Park, the first national park in the world.

The carful of kids are ready to sleep in their own beds so we are homeward bound. After a quick stop in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for a picture under the antler arches in town square; we are on the highway headed for Colorado.

The carful of kids love Colorado so after a day of mostly driving, we want to explore Boulder for a few hours. When I plan our trips sometimes I schedule a quick stopover to see if I want to incorporate an area into a future trip.

Boulder, Colorado, is 25 miles northwest of Denver and the home to the largest university in the state, University of Colorado. After a quick drive through the campus on a unofficial campus tour, we head over to a fun tour for Moms.

The carful of kids sample tea after the factory tour.

The Celestial Seasonings factory tour (4600 Sleepytime Drive) is a great stop for tea-loving Moms and their kids, 5 and older. The tours run every day, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; the factory is closed most major holidays. The tour is FREE.

There is a cafe with lots of samples and you will be given a sample pack of tea to take home. If you are a tea addict like myself, there is a gift shop with varieties you can't find in the grocery store back home.

Due to food safety regulations, you and your children will be required to wear hairnets. Children under 5 are not allowed on the factory tour. The tour guide walks us along the production line giving us insight into what ingredients make up their herbal teas. The highlight of the tour is the Mint Room.

Mint is so strong that it is stored in its own room. If you have ever been on the fence about mint, you will know after this. Some people can't even walk into the Mint Room. While other devoted fans, like my daughter and myself, can't get enough of the sinus-clearing aroma.

After a stop in the gift shop for tea and tea accessories, the carful of kids are on the road to our next stop, the National Center for Atmospheric Research (1850 Table Mesa Drive). It is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and it is FREE.

Making and playing with clouds. How cool is that?

This is a great stop for school-age kids who are interested in weather. There are tons of cool interactive displays demonstrating the effects of our atmosphere on our weather.

Wind and sand experiments for the whole family.

After several hours getting a taste of Boulder, the carful of kids need to get back on the interstate headed to Texas. I have one last stop planned that's a family favorite.

Up Next: Palo Duro Canyon State Park

What I learned from my trip to Yellowstone National Park with the Carful of Kids

The carful of kids left Central Texas to explore the Rocky Mountains; we stopped by the Black Hills of South Dakota and Glacier National Park. We headed across the Canadian Border to wander through Banff and Jasper national parks with a stop to explore a glacier. The last leg of our trip, we spent about a week taking the Grand Tour of Yellowstone National Park.

Yellowstone was the first national park in the world when it was created in 1872; an idea that other countries would adopt to protect the special places in their country. Yellowstone, a name derived from the descriptive French and Native American name for the area, has the highest concentration of geysers in the world and half of the world's geothermal features. All thanks to the Yellowstone Caldera, an active supervolcano.

My 12-year-old daughter loved the pools of Yellowstone.

Yellowstone is my favorite national park in North America for so many reasons. You should make every attempt to visit and experience the wonder and majestic beauty for yourself. It is a must outdoor enthusiasts.

For your First Trip to Yellowstone

I delayed the trek up to Yellowstone so my eight-year-old would be old enough to remember the trip. This trip is best for school-age kids. Yellowstone requires a fair amount of walking and the sights are more interesting to older kids.

My eight-year-old son enjoyed looking for animals, like this bison.

For your first trip to Yellowstone with your family, I suggest the Grand Tour, the circular tour that the first visitors took over 100 years ago. You can map your own Grand Tour starting from any of the five different entrances--though the West Yellowstone and Jackson Hole Entrances are the most crowded.

I suggest that you spend at least four days in Yellowstone National Park. There is so much ground to cover and each area is unique. If you are visiting Grand Teton and Yellowstone in the same trip, I found you can see the majority of Grand Teton in one day.

The carful of kids played games on the mezzanine of the Old Faithful Inn.

On your first trip, stay in several different locations. My first trip to YNP, we camped in the Canyon Campground and drove from there. I have to say, that was too much driving. Stay inside the boundaries of YNP; the park is larger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined. You will spend a lot of your time getting into and out of the park if you stay outside of YNP.

On my first trip to Yellowstone NP we didn't plan ahead and make reservations. MAKE RESERVATIONS as soon as you decide to visit YNP. To get a room in the Old Faithful Inn during the high season (July and August) will require reservations more than six months in advance.

The two nights at the Old Faithful Inn were a highlight for everyone. 

When the carful of kids decided to visit Yellowstone, it was January. I started researching and reserving rooms and found the majority of rooms were booked already. Remember, you can reserve lodging in YNP 13 months in advance. I checked for cancellations religiously through the website and was able to reserve the places I wanted.

I will tell you the brutal truth, the older I get, the less I like to tent camp. In Yellowstone, I found the camping crowded and cramped. Showers were not included. Depending on the fire danger, you might not be able cook outside with a flame. The RV sites are also very limited.

The Best Areas in Yellowstone for Kids

No trip to Yellowstone is complete without visiting Old Faithful Inn and Old Faithful Geyser that erupts every 35 to 120 minutes with a certain amount of predictability. The geyser basin is great for kids and should be explored; spend at least a day in this area, more time if you have it.

Some rooms don't have attached bathrooms but this is one of the Tub Rooms.

I reserved two nights in the original section of Old Faithful Inn, it might be one of my favorite hotels ever. There are cabins in the Old Faithful area as well.

I really liked the Roosevelt Lodge, up at the Tower-Roosevelt Junction in the Northeast corner of YNP. The cabins are great for families and the Old West Cookout should not be missed. Reservations area must for this excursion.

The kids loved the stove in the cabin at Roosevelt Lodge.

Mammoth Hot Springs is a great area for families since the kids enjoyed climbing the terraces to see the travertine towers. The elk in this area will grab your kids attention too. The Mammoth Hot Springs Cabins are a great choice for families, like all the cabins in Yellowstone NP.

Animals of Yellowstone

The animal viewing in Yellowstone is better than any of the other national parks that I have visited. It is really hard not to see animals, they are everywhere. For the best opportunity to see bears or wolves spend some time in Hayden Valley or Lamar Valley at dusk or dawn.

Bison and Elk are fairly easy to see in Yellowstone National Park.

Getting to Yellowstone

Most visitors drive up through the southern entrance at Jackson Hole, I did the first time. This time we drove south into the park from Bozeman after picking up Dad at the airport.

If you are flying in and renting a car, I recommend Bozeman. It is less expensive to fly and stay overnight in Bozeman instead of Jackson, Wyoming. The shopping is plentiful with all the grocery stores and outdoor outfitters located within a few miles of each other. You will not find touristy attractions in Bozeman however.

The Antler Arches of Jackson Hole, Wyoming are a great photo op.

For that reason, you might prefer Jackson, Wyoming, it has plenty of souvenir shopping and the antler arches at the Jackson Hole Town Square is a photo op that should not be missed.

Basic Information 

Yellowstone National Park is open every day and the 7-day admission is $30 for a private vehicle or you can purchase an annual America the Beautiful Pass for $80 to gain entry into the majority of the national parks and monuments. There are seasonal road closures in the majority of the park except for the North and Northeast Entrance that are open year-round to vehicle traffic. There can be a wait to get into the park at the entrances.

Up Next: Headed Home.

Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park--Picture Perfect

Our view of the Tetons can't be beat.

The carful of kids spent the night in Grand Teton National Park as we wind down our epic road trip that started in Central Texas to the Canadian Rockies and back through Yellowstone National Park. Staying at some kid-pleasing places along the way, the carful of kids have spent their days exploring the some of the grandest scenery in North America.

We bunked down in a camping cabin in Colter Bay Village with a pot belly stove to keep us warm, until it burned out. It seems our pioneering skills could be better and I wouldn't recommend this property to families with young children. 

This is the view from behind the camping cabin, pretty amazing.

A new day has dawned and we are up and ready to go to our next planned excursion, a breakfast wagon ride. It departs from Jackson Lake Lodge Corrals, just around the corner from our camping cabin.

We are scheduled to ride out to the Willow Flats area for a hearty breakfast except it's raining lightly. When I check in, I notice that the wagon is not covered--yikes. But the trip is still a go.

A bit of a cool, drizzly start to our Breakfast Cookout in Willow Flats.

I really want to love this but the carful of kids just finished an Old West Cookout and wagon ride at Roosevelt Lodge. They did it better, from start to finish. Both excursions are booked and managed by Xanterra, the NPS concessionaire.

The ride itself is less picturesque, especially when you pass the water treatment plant on the way out and back. I just didn't have the feeling that I'm away from it all, especially when I see cars passing by. 

When we get to their cookout site, it isn't covered so the tables are wet but they have a campfire going for us. The food is great and there is plenty of it, biscuits and gravy, sausage, bacon, pancakes and lots of coffee and cocoa for the kids. That's great except when we have to huddle together and eat standing up under the tiny cooking pavilion--not fun.

So my advice to Moms, if you are doing this at Roosevelt Lodge, skip this one. If you are heading out to Grand Teton NP in the dry, high season, the issues I had shouldn't be a problem.

After a hearty breakfast, the carful of kids are ready to walk it off so we drive down Teton Park Road. At the Jackson Lake Junction you have the option of taking the less traveled Teton Park Road or Highway 191. Both routes are stunning, scenic drives so if you have the time, drive both.

The view at Jenny Lake is not to be missed.

After a quick stop at Signal Mountain Lodge, we arrive at Jenny Lake Lodge. This area is picturesque and parking is limited. The cabins are well-appointed and the dining options tend to be more upscale. 

We are itching for a walk and the Jenny Lake Visitor Center has it. This area has lots of parking with trails, restrooms, a visitors center and a bookstore. The walks in this area are great for smaller kids and at the end of the trail we find our next excursion.

Ready to take a ride across Jenny Lake, this is a great activity for kids.

I love waterfalls and look for any reason to visit one--I heard there's one across Jenny Lake so the carful of kids need a ride. At the Jenny Lake Boating Launch, we find what we need.

Jenny Lake Boating offers a shuttle across Jenny Lake to the Hidden Falls trail and onto Inspiration Point. The ride is effortless as it glides across the glass-like water of Jenny Lake; the kids love it. Reservations are not required and a boat leaves every 15 minutes.

The shoreline of Jenny Lake as we take a ride across it to hike to Hidden Falls.

Jenny Lake Boating has round-trip and one way tickets if you want to hike back. The distance is nearly two and a half miles in one direction and nearly five miles in the other. Tickets are $15 round trip and $9 one-way for adults and for children, it's $8 round trip and $6 one-way. 

If you have the time, check out Hidden Falls across Jenny Lake.

The hike to Hidden Falls is a doable one mile with some steps and rocks along the path, my carful of kids enjoy it. The view of the falls makes it all worthwhile for me and the bridge over the creek excites the kids.

The carful of kids love the bridge across the trail. 

After we make the loop, the carful of kids catch the boat back across Jenny Lake--now on to our next quest. Though we have driven through some of the best wildlife viewing in North America, there is still one animal that we haven't seen and we are hot on a lead.

In the SUV, the carful of kids look south towards Moose Junction for the elusive moose. A Park Ranger told us to drive down the Moose-Wilson Road and look in the creek that runs next to the road.

The brown dot in the center is the moose, eating tender greens in the shallow water of the creek.

Moose are notoriously shy creatures; we follow the directions and sure enough in the marshy creek, we find a moose. They are vegetarians and primarily eat the tender green shoots found in shallow water. The best time to see most animals is dawn and dusk.

The Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center is designed to resemble the jagged peaks of the Tetons.

After our moose adventure, the carful of kids check out the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center--opened in 2007, this building sets the stage for future NPS visitor centers. With recycled and energy-efficient building materials plus an innovative design that mirrors the rugged terrain of the Tetons, the Craig Thomas Visitor Center is one you won't want to miss.

This area of Grand Teton NP is known for its moose population. 

The carful of kids put the finishing touches on their Junior Ranger booklets and turn them in to the Park Ranger for a special badge, a wood one. We add them to our collection of nearly 60 we have already.

The NPS Park Ranger checks over the Junior Ranger booklets

After checking out the southern end of Grand Teton NP, the carful of kids head back to our campsite at the northern end of the park at Colter Bay Village. Instead of taking Teton Park Road, we jump on the year-round Highway 191--it's just as picturesque of a drive, only faster.

The cozy Cunningham Cabin, the carful of kids decide this living is not for them.

On the way back, the carful of kids stop at the Cunningham Cabin to peak into the life of a frontier family. This is a great teaching moment for my kids, who can't even begin to understand the hardship of frontier life without electricity.

Dinner is ready.

The daylight is fading and the carful of kids are hungry so we load up in the SUV. Our next destination is a campfire dinner at our campsite.

Up Next: A morning exploring Boulder, Colorado.

Know before you go:

Grand Teton National Park is open 7-days a week, 24-hours a day, seasonal road closures during the winter. The admission is $30 for a 7-day pass or you can use an America the Beautiful annual pass ( $80 ). The lodging in Grand Teton National Park is reservable up to 16-months in advance. I advise making reservations as far in advance as possible.

This is Grizzly Country and it is advised to carry and know how to use Bear Spray at all times.

Grand Teton National Park with the Carful of Kids

Sitting by the fire in Roosevelt Lodge in YNP, the kids love the rustic feel.

The carful of kids explored the Upper Rocky Mountains for nearly a month on a road trip that started in Central Texas and meandered to Jasper National Park and back. After spending five glorious days exploring Yellowstone National Park, we have to move on.

The carful of kids wake up in our Rough Rider Cabin in Roosevelt Lodge after a quintessential Old West Cookout in Pleasant Valley. If you have kids, I highly recommend this activity and staying in the cabins at Roosevelt. It's an authentic experience that  you and your kids will remember fondly.

We are headed to the Old West Cookout in covered wagons through Pleasant Valley. My favorite excursion in YNP.

The whole reason to make the trek to Yellowstone NP is to reconnect with the natural world and this will get you close. Did I tell you the carful of kids found a small, mule deer that they followed around the cabins? The boys loved it. My daughter found a wild raspberry bush along the banks of the mountain brook next to our cabin. It’s idyllic for the whole family and a great way to discover and explore.

We are headed to Grand Teton National Park, just 40 miles down the road from Grant Village Junction at the South Entrance of Yellowstone NP. Before loading up the SUV, we walk over to the Roosevelt Lodge for a hearty breakfast, this is a great option for families.

This is the view from our table inside the Roosevelt Lodge, you can see why this area is a favorite to visitors.

The Roosevelt Lodge is a log cabin, built in 1920, that evokes the spirit of the Old West. Along with the Old Faithful Inn, I found it to be another great option for families. It has that authentic feeling that I crave in a property. You just can’t replicate the way a 90-year old building feels.

The first thing you see as you walk up to the Roosvelt Lodge is the row of rocking chairs lining the front porch. I take a minute to sit a spell and write in my travel journal--I'm in Heaven.

Breakfast at Roosevelt Lodge, wanna share?

Inside, you will find the Roosevelt Lodge's restaurant with a western theme and a kids menu that satisfies my carful of kids. I order a western skillet that is more than enough for most people.

The carful of kids have sampled our way across the dining rooms of Yellowstone and found the service and food above my expectations for concessionaires. I usually cookout in parks but in Yellowstone, it's not that easy. Most of the lodging properties in Yellowstone forbid cooking near cabins, except Roosevelt Lodge so if you want to cookout at the cabin you can.

I really hate to say goodbye to Yellowstone, I wish it was closer so I could visit it more often. Once a decade is just not enough.

It's a short drive in-between Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks but first we have to get out of Yellowstone since we are at the northeast corner of the park. With seasonal road construction and slow-moving traffic, this can take some time--like hours to drive the nearly 80 miles to exit Yellowstone. Pack your patience, like you would pack your snacks.

Hayden Valley is a must-stop for wildlife in YNP, the Yellowstone River runs through it.

Though at times slow-moving, we do get another opportunity to drive through the wildlife-rich Hayden Valley, one of the places you might find grizzlies or wolves. Then onto the Fishing Bridge Junction, where we hit seasonal road construction.

Once outside the boundaries of Yellowstone, we drive through John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. There is a visitors center and you can stamp your National Parks Passport Book here. The Park Rangers here are a wealth of knowlegdge for this area, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks combined, so stop if you have the time.

Grand Teton National Park has a different feel than Yellowstone so if this is your first trip to the area don’t assume the parks look the same. Grand Teton NP features the mountains as a backdrop and is more majestic than Yellowstone, which is rich in geothermal features and wildlife.

The view of Grand Teton is the reason to visit this park.

At the base of the Grand Tetons are--Jackson Lake, Leigh Lake and Jenny Lake, all of which reflect the mountains giving you that wow moment when you see them. There are several lodges that dot the park along the main route, Teton Park Road.

The carful of kids want to do a little exploring before heading to the cabin for the night so we drive over to Jackson Lake Lodge, built in the 1950s. This lodge is the hub for Jackson Lake and features some incredible views from the lobby so be sure to check it out.

Inside the main lobby of the Jackson Lake Lodge, the view is amazing so be sure to walk through.

The carful of kids walk around and find the giant, standing grizzly bear next to a sign announcing a Ranger Talk about grizzlies later. They beg to go, they love the idea of grizzly bears, just not encountering a grizzly bear.

He is running from the Grizzly, he will outrun it because he's 7. You will not. 

The Jackson Lake Lodge and Cottages are a popular choice for families since it has a pool and a playground, which you don't find in most of the national park lodgings. There are several restaurants in the lodge as well; the carful of kids are hungry so we duck into the most family-friendly one.

The Pioneer Grill's claim to fame is the longest continuously running counter in the world. They feature a kids menu full of kid-pleasers and a not-to-be-missed dessert.

The Teton Treat, a crowd pleaser for the carful of kids.

After a satisfying dinner, the carful of kids head to the Ranger Talk about Grizzlies and I sneak a little alone time in the lobby with my travel journal and a drink. The fire is going and the view is to die for.

The Grizzly Ranger Talk is a hit with the carful of kids and I recommend the Ranger Talks throughout the NPS. My carful of kids really seem to engage in the presentations and the activity counts for the requirement for the Junior Ranger Badge Booklet.

I made reservations at a camping cabin in the Colter Bay Village at the northern end of Jackson Lake so the carful of kids head back.  There is a campground, a separate RV park, one and two bedroom cabins and camping cabins ( think tents ). You will also find a grocery store, gas station, two restaurants, pay showers and a launderette, along with a marina and corral. This area can get congested at times.

The outside of our camping cabin at Colter Bay Village.

The term camping cabin is a little misleading, I would call this a tent. It has two log walls and two canvas walls, inside you will find a pot-belly stove and four single bunks. There are NO electrical outlets to use.

The outside includes a picnic table, a fire pit and a bear box. You will be required to keep a bare campsite to keep the foragers away.

While the carful of kids love this property, I have my reservations.

First, the bedding looks ancient, guessing by the harvest gold colored cover--I might have slept on it when I was a kid. So out comes the Clorox wipes to wipe them down and I'm not a germaphobe.

Second, the bunks don't have built-in railings. Yes, they have some at check-in but they have seen better days and for little kids. I make the boys sleep on the bottom bunks so they don't roll out in the night.

Outside the camping cabin, sometimes the carful of kids climb on things.

Third, the daily rate doesn't include a bathroom. Yes, there is a restroom without showers within walking distance and it's adequate. But for a hot shower, I have to go to the Colter Bay Village for a pay shower ( $ 4.25 a person, that adds up with a family of five ) and that facility has not been updated since I visited in 1999. I remember it.

The takeaway for Moms, I don't recommend Colter Bay Camping Cabins and I won't stay here again. Sorry Grand Teton NP, I love you and your scenery but I am unimpressed by this property. Again, the kids loved it, other parks just do this better like Parks Canada.

Overall, I am usually impressed with the quality of the lodgings within the NPS, this has been the exception.

Up Next: Another day in Grand Teton, with an excursion at Jenny Lake.

Know before you go:

Grand Teton National Park is open 7-days a week, 24-hours a day, seasonal road closures during the winter. The admission is $ 30 for a 7-day pass or you can use an America the Beautiful annual pass ( $ 80 ). The lodging in Grand Teton National Park is reservable up to 16-months in advance. I advise making reservations as far in advance as possible.

This is Grizzly Country and it is advised to carry and know how to use Bear Spray at all times.

The Old West Cookout at Roosevelt Lodge

Standing in front of the Roosevelt Arch.

The carful of kids left Central Texas a while back with their eyes looking north to Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada, and now we are headed back. Before putting the SUV into cruise and long-hauling it back to Texas, we are trekking through Yellowstone National Park, hitting the highlights of my favorite national park.

Yellowstone National Park has so many unique features--from the geothermal wonders, to the historic lodges and the abundant wildlife. It's a great destination for everyone, especially families, and should be on your bucket list.

The carful of kids have toured the majority of the park with stays at the Old Faithful Inn, Lake Yellowstone Hotel and most recently Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel. When I plan my trips, I look at it like I would a story--a good strong lead and an even-bigger finish.

As we finish up our Grand Tour of Yellowstone, like the visitors took over 100 years ago, I have one last historic property and an exciting excursion planned. But first, we need to have breakfast and pack up.

Exploring at the Yellowstone Association Headquarters Building.

Before heading to the Tower-Roosevelt Junction, I wanted to check out the Northern Entrance of Yellowstone at Gardiner, Montana. Primarily to visit the Roosevelt Arch, that has been welcoming visitors to YNP since President Theodore Roosevelt set the cornerstone in 1903.

Constructed by the U.S. Army when they were stationed in the nearby Mammoth Hot Springs, the majority of the visitors arriving via train entered Yellowstone through this arch. It's still a popular gateway though a tad small for modern trailers. Next to the Roosevelt Arch is the Yellowstone Association Headquarters Building.

The carful of kids load up and head east through the quieter section of the park where the animals get a little closer to the road. We are always scanning the horizon looking for movement or a line of cars pulled over. At Petrified Tree, we see a mamma bear and her cubs--bears sitings always excite the carful of kids.

The Roosevelt Lodge is one of my favorite places to stay in YNP.

Before long, I see the peeled pine arch signaling the entrance of the Roosevelt Lodge--I turn off the paved road onto a gravel driveway to a place that is out of the way for most visitors to Yellowstone. Actually, this is my first visit to Roosevelt Lodge, too; we didn't make it to this corner of YNP fifteen years ago.

This area was named after Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the U.S., that spend time exploring in this area. This lodge evokes the spirit of the West--wild and free.

We check in for our Rough Rider Cabin at the Roosevelt Lodge, a rustic log building built in 1920. There are two types of cabins in Roosevelt, the Rough Rider and the Frontier Cabin; you can't camp in the area but there are 31 first-come, first serve sites at Tower Fall.

The inside of our Rough Rider Cabin--the carful of kids love the rustic feel.

Our Rough Rider Cabin has three double beds, a dresser with a mirror and a pot belly stove that the kids love. It's a rustic cabin, meaning simple, with a couple of overhead lights and not much else. All the rooms and cabins in YNP, do not have TVs, radios or air conditioning.

The Mountain Brook that runs along the Rough Rider Cabins.

While I'm unloading the SUV, the boys find a small mule deer next to the last row of cabins--they start to stalk it. My daughter finds a babbling brook with tumbled river rocks with wild raspberries dotting the bushes--I can't believe this place, it's made for kids.

Wild Raspberries!

Outside our cabin I find a couple of picnic tables, where I set out the lunch for the carful of kids. They sit down and gobble up some sandwiches before heading back to the stream. I chase butterflies from one wildflower to the next trying to get the perfect photo.

I run around chasing butterflies and bees while the kids stalk a mule deer.

We whittle away a couple of hours playing and chasing before we need to check in for our next excursion. Luckily, it's located right around the corner in the Roosevelt Coral.

For dinner, the carful of kids will be riding a wagon out to the Old West Cookout in Pleasant Valley. When we pull through the wooden arch of the Roosevelt Corral, I know this is going to be an evening to remember.

The Carful of Kids check out their wagon.

After we check in, we watch the horse wranglers outfit the horseback riders and get them on their way. The horses in the Roosevelt Corral are chosen because of their docile nature and range in age from 20 to 37.

The wagon riders are next, as we climb aboard our brightly painted yellow wagons with five padded benches. I immediately start to hum surrey with the fringe on top when I see the wagon's canvas cover to protect us from a passing mountain shower.

All Abroad for our adventure to Pleasant Valley.

Each wagon has a pair of draft horses with a driver and another wrangler who keep us entaintained with stories of the land and lore. As the wagon creeks and ebbs out of the corral, I can't help but smile. This is a great moment--reminding me of something the Brady Bunch would have done on vacation.

The wagon train of eight wagons continue up through the valley unnoticed by the pronghorn and the mule deer. The wagons are as much a part of the rhythm of the valley as the swaying grass.

Sitting next to the campfire, hearing tall tales and drinking hot cocoa.

After a 45-minute ride through the majestic scenery, the wagon train pulls into the camp at the edge of the valley. As we climb down from the wagon, I look up and see the horseback riders switchback and forth down a ridge to join our group.

The carful of kids walk into camp and are drawn to the smoking coals with a blue granite ware coffeepot percolating some Campfire Joe. I have two cups before I blink my eyes.

Caffeine camp-style.

This Mom is fueled by caffeine, I will not lie. The carful of kids grab a lodge pole pine stump to sit on and listen to a cowboy rattle off tall tales.

Off on the edge of camp, a cowboy crooner sings the songs of a bygone era as men gather to recount tales of recent animal sightings. The dinner bell signals all to turn as the promise of a hearty meal awaits.

We line up and wait for our turn. As the first few walk pass, I see plates piled high with steak, potato salad and coleslaw, baked beans, corn bread and apple crisp with watermelon slices on the side.

Dinner for a kinda cowboy or girl.

As I finally get my rustic camp-ware plate, I turn and find a seat at one of the long family styles tables. Sitting in an unseen valley all to ourselves with a plate heaping full of steak, enjoying the way  the pines light up in the late afternoon sun, it doesn't get any better than this.

Like all great moments, it has to end. But before I leave, I'm getting another cup of coffee so strong it will put hair on the chest of an eight-year old.

The carful of kids love the Old West Cookout, look at the empty plates.

The carful of kids load back up in the wagon for the ride back to the corral. When we arrive back, the sun is low in the sky but the memory of a perfect meal in a perfect valley will live in my heart forever.

The carful of kids love animals so after getting back from the Old West Cookout we decide to drive through Lamar Valley to see what is out at dusk, the best time to see animals. Lamar Valley is east of the Tower-Roosevelt Junction towards the Northeast Entrance.

It is rumored that Lamar Valley is one of the places you can see wolves and grizzlies. It will take a bit of luck and a little patience. One thing you will see in Lamar Valley are bison, who know they own the road.

After our animal-trekking adventure, we head back to our Rough Rider Cabin and the carful of kids settle in for the night. Mom and Dad take the opportunity to walk over to the lodge for a glass of wine next to the fire.

The Roosevelt Lodge serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and has a small bar--you can sit next to the fireplace or walk outside to the rockers lining the front porch to enjoy a little piece of heaven named Yellowstone.

Up Next: We have to say Good-bye to Yellowstone and head for Grand Teton National Park.

Know before you go: Yellowstone National Park is open every day and the 7-day admission is $ 30 for a private vehicle or you can purchase an annual America the Beautiful Pass for $ 80 to gain entry to the majority of the national parks and monuments. There are seasonal road closures in the majority of the park except for the North and Northeast Entrance that are open year-round to vehicle traffic.

The Rough Rider Cabin doesn't have an attached bathroom but a bathroom is within walking distance.

Reservations are recommended for all lodging and camping in Yellowstone National Park during the high season.

This is Grizzly Country and it is recommended to carry and know how to use Bear Spray at all times.