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| Standing in front of the Roosevelt Arch. |
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.
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| Exploring at the Yellowstone Association Headquarters Building. |
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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| The Mountain Brook that runs along the Rough Rider Cabins. |
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| 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.
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| I run around chasing butterflies and bees while the kids stalk a mule deer. |
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.
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| The Carful of Kids check out their wagon. |
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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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