Double "Parked'

Yep, we're up early for our trip over the pass to Yellowstone National Park, but we "have" to go thru Grand Teton park to get there. On the road just before 8:00 & west-bound for the construction area on the pass. It's pretty massive and we have to stop a few times & have some lead trucks too. (And pay attention to the signs that the pass will close at 10 pm till 1:00 am!-more on that later.) Over Togwotee Pass at 9658' & down to the Ranger Station in Moran. A quick stop for some cards & a book & on down to the entrance of Grand Teton Park--yea for Senior passes! The Haws are with us and we all get in for no charge. The Watts & McKnights are in Ed's van & they get in free too! Then we see lots of cars stopped at a lake, so we "have" to see whats' up. It's a beautiful spot at Oxbow Bend & the reflections from the lake of the Tetons are unbelievable! WOW! On thru the park to the John D Rockefeller, Jr Memorial Parkway & into the south entrance of Yellowstone National Park--senior pass again! It took us 2:40 to get to this point & another hour to the Old Faithful Area. Lots of scenic spots along the way:cascades, Falls, the Snake River Canyon, waterfalls & just before noon, we arrive at Old Faithful. Let's have a picnic & some Eskimo Joe's pics! A short walk to the geyser area, where there are thousands of people gathered for the next eruption, which is about every 90 minutes. There are even grandstands around the geyser area & as soon as it's over the crowd races for the gift shops & restaurants. Old Faithful is FAB! & lots of pics, and ooh's and ahh's. We shop for a while but decide to hike the boardwalk around the lower basin of geysers. Then off of the walk & then we take the low path across the river & up a 200' climb to the observation point & we witness another geyser erupt & also the Old Faithful again. We then proceed on to the Solitary Geyser, visiting with some Boy Scouts from Atlanta along the way & this geyser is well worth it...every 5 minutes it erupts with massive bubbles & really cool. Back down to the boardwalk for more geysers & pools. A Ranger tells us about the impending eruption of the Beehive Geyser in 15 minutes & we grab the Haws and go down to watch. This geyser only erupts once a day, if that & a big crowd gathers & it's spectacular! hundreds of people get soaked & run for cover. Back to the gift shop & some ice cream and to the car to drive a little north to some more geysers at the upper basin--a nice boardwalk here too. Now we head back south & stop at a few scenic spots..the Kepler Cascades, the Lewis River-where I cooled off my feet- & Falls, before getting to the entrance and out of Yellowstone. Back into the Tetons & a stop at Jackson Lake Lodge, where the Haws aunt & uncle often went. We see a large herd of elk feeding down in the meadows. Let's eat! Into the Pioneer Grill and it's a neat place..a continuous bar with lots of waitresses, cooks & extra help. The food & service is great..philly cheese steak, a knife & fork hot dog, and burgers. Back to the elk herd & at least 60 of them feeding & now real close to the road, in the Willow Flats area. It's getting real dark but it's quite a sight! We better get on the road & up to the pass where there is construction & the closure of the road. Well guess what? We are the last car over the pass at 10:05! And now, the rest of the story...the Watts & the McKnights don't quite make it & have to turn around to find a restroom & something to eat. They wait 'till 1:00 and and get thru, after sleeping some in the van. They survived & got in about 2am..what a story! no biking today..see ya...