Yellowstone Trip August 2016

O & Zee’s Epic Yellowstone Trip – 2016

 

  Beaverton, OR ( 0 mi): Left early Saturday as I knew travelling with an almost 8 year old, we will be making a lot of stops on the way and I wanted to get to Boise before nightfall.

We did stop on the way and gather as many history lessons as we could. Including driving a bit on the Main Oregon Trail Country Byway just across the ID border.

Boise, ID (445 mi): What trip to ID would be complete without a taste of the state’s famous export. We tried out the Idaho Fry Company where they let you add your own different types of salt on the many varieties of fries you can get. Of course the bison burger is ‘on the side’.

After an overnight stop in Boise onwards to West Yellowstone. The kids doctor had recommended to swing by and check out Reed’s Dairy for ice cream near Idaho Falls, when I looked up on the map, there was the usual way to get there and then a more interesting one, of course we took the long route and enjoyed the Craters of the Moon National Monument.

Taking Highway 26 thru Gooding, Shoshone , Arco and then 20 towards Idaho Falls. Gave us a great history of the nuclear development and got a chance to see the first city powered by atomic energy, EBR-1, INL and the Lost River and aptly named class hill where the graduating classes have painted the years.

But we were chasing freshly made ice cream so onwards to the outskirts of Idaho Falls, where you will find Reed’s Dairy a family run operation and yes, the ice cream was delicious. Highly recommend it.

Pushed through on our way to West Yellowstone via Rexburg on Hwy 20.

West Yellowstone (856 mi): Here is the 1^st sunrise just outside the entrance to the park.

Our first day was spent chasing bison and we went all the way in the Lamar Valley, saw a few that made my son happy, including this one that came a little close to us as we were driving past.

2^nd and 3^rd days, we focused on the Hayden Valley and looking for more animals and were able to see too many Elk, deer and prong horn antelopes. The most exciting was spotting a bear across the Yellow stone river.

 

The first night inside the park we stayed at the Canyon Village campground (Elev: 7918 ft ) after completing the upper loop.

Second night we stayed at the Bridge Bay (Elev: 7735 ft) campground after getting rained on, hailed on and snowed on and experiencing 88F temps all within 2 hours. Awesome experience for the kid. With no heat in the Hawk, we still were fine with a heavy down comforter until waking up the next morning and finding frost on the windshield and roof.

Upon leaving we decided to take the long way home and visit a friend in Missoula, MT. Travelling out of West Yellowstone on 287, I90 through the fly-fishing capital of Ennis.

We stopped for food on a locals recommendation at Bynee’s in Ennis and on to Missoula. Where the town was celebrating with food and music a recognition for the UofM Grizzlies.

Leaving Missoula, we decided again to take a longish route and go through Coeur d’Alene (1589 mi), Spokane, Ritzville and on to Kennewick, WA, from where we would head east again thru Walla Walla, WA and down into Pendleton  via 12 and 11. We stopped at the memorial of one of the worst mine

 

disasters in US history at Kellogg, ID. Once in WA, we had to stop for icecream In Ritzville (travelling with an almost 8 year old is fun!).

Pendleton (1814 mi): We had to pay homage to Hamley Steak House and Pendleton Woolen Mills. Ate too much at the first and spent too much on a gifts at the second. Though highly recommend anyone driving through there to stop at both for the rich history they offer. Drive back home to Beaverton was mostly straight other than another very informative stop at the SAGE Center in Boardman, OR.  With more educational info for the 8 year old. We made another side excursion to get more Oregon history and stopped at a wayside to get this picture.

This was our longest stay in the Hawk and most memorable with my 8 year old son. Total mileage 2056 mi.

Truck:

2012 Toyota Tundra Rock Warrior

E rated BFG T/A KO2’s (50psi)

Rear Hellwig sway bar

Firestone RideRite airbags (20psi)

For the entire 2k+ trip, never felt that I was under powered. Climbed some high passes with ease. Mileage varied from 11mpg facing headwinds all the way from Pendleton to Troutdale to 15mpg. But really hard to fairly judge as speed limits varied drastically (55 mph to 80 mph). I was conservative and only filled propane before leaving and decided to carry no water and no grocery (bought all of that in West Yellowstone before entering park). Recommend Market Place for that with good selection, as I knew my speed in the park will be limited to 45mph and below.  It was only us two, clothes and fly fishing gear.

Camper:

New to us 2002 Hawk

Purchased last year from original owner in Bend, OR.

Worked thru fall/winter on some maintenance items.

Did a few shakedown overnight trips and as a result did some modifications before leaving.

Glad I added the Thermarest pads. Highly recommend them. No moisture collected underneath which I had observed previously.

Changed inside bulbs to LED boards and porch light to LED.

Replaced the Interstate battery with a Bluetop Optima.

Removed overhang vinyl that was torn and replaced with zillion layers of Rustoleum.

Apparently the propane tank was leaking, bought one on-line, should have gone to the local Ferrell dealer, they can get for a few $’s cheaper and no shipping charge.