Upon waking, it was crisp in our bedroom, I’d opened the window during the night. However, when closing the window, it wouldn’t shut with snow blocking it. Snow blanketed everything, including the sidewalks, which had previously only been partially covered. We’d unpacked the night before. I love the feeling of unpacking and getting suitcases hidden away; ours went back to the car. This makes it feel like home and not a temporary stay, even though it is.
We loaded the drawers, hung clothes, packed the fridge, and stuffed cabinets for a makeshift panty. As I type these words, I lounge on the couch in my robe with a cup of coffee, looking over the Snake River with snow falling and the Tetons as a backdrop. Everything was in its place, nothing strowed around or left to put away. In the culinary world, we call prep for the kitchen mise en place, meaning everything in its place; that also goes for this moment.
Before leaving, we had to pack lunch, our hiking gear, and snacks. There are bears here, so we are bringing our snack in at night plus, the temperatures are in the twenties, so I’d rather not have frozen food. As I walked to the car, it was covered in snow on the driver’s side, huge flakes falling. It was a good hair day for both of us, so we were less than amused by the snow in our hair. Nevertheless, I came prepared, ordering a snow broom and ice scraper before we left (for the car, not our hair). I always over-prepare and logistically think about our trips ahead of time.
We’d be headed to Yellowstone to spend the day in the northern section, but first coffee. Make it a double as tired as Amanda was. I joked that everyone must have loved her multiple alarms with open windows! This would be one of the few times we could get Starbucks since it is to the south, about ten miles.
We were headed south to travel through Idaho and enter the park’s west side. I didn’t think about crossing over the Tetons, though. I was a climb up and then down a 10% grade, all in the snow. Much like the continental divide drive but in the daylight, this time included lots of traffic, primarily oncoming. Along the way, we would see snow-crested tall pine trees. Amanda commented, Christmas trees saying we’d never seen an actual “frosted” tree before!
Idaho was much more beautiful than I had expected. Rolling hills, green wheat poking through the snow-draped fields, black Angus cattle on the adjacent snow-covered grass fields, and potato plants ready for harvest. All with the Tetons to the east, absolutely stunning. We stopped halfway for a potty break, and I topped off with the highest gas price yet, $5.30. I felt like a county tourist taking a picture of the gas pump, a fancy touchscreen style, and getting Amanda some hand and toe warmers.
As we entered the park, I pulled our annual park pass off the rearview mirror and showed it to the gate attendant along with my ID. The Teton ranger wanted to see both; this guy could not care less about either. We were looking for a vistors center but none to be found till far inside the park. Finally, we got the munchies, so it was time to bust out the snack bag. We carry a pretty hefty array of snacks. I blame this on my mother, famous for packing a massive about of snacks for just a short road trip!
We started our drive in the park and quickly came next to a river. This entrance to the park reminded me of our Western introduction to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The road parallels the river much the same. We took a scenic drive down by the river and then looped back. All while Jack, our app tour guide, narrated. I had my window down to feel the crisp air and hear the river’s sound.
Then to the Norris, like the texas ranger, Geyser Basin. We stopped at a fumarole (stem vent), a waterfall, and a plain valley with buffalo roaming along the way. We looped back to see the far-off buffalo. Snow had covered the roads for most of our morning trip thus far but was slowly melting.
We hiked the boardwalks amongst various geysers and hot spring pools. It looks like nothing I’ve ever seen, like something that belongs on another world. The colors reminded me of far-off worlds from the original Star Trek series. We walked by a group of school kids on a field trip. I bet the science teachers hear love these trips. As we walked out, a lady smiled and said a bigger-than-usual hi. I told Amanda she said hi like we were a fabulous couple; her response was, “because we are”!
We were hungry after our walk, so it was time for lunch as we drove to our next spot. We made hand pies out of the leftover bourguignon. These have many names from many counties, including cornish pasties, calzones, empanadas, etc. Think of something, anything, wrapped in the dough. I called these hand pies because they were ugly; nonetheless, they were delicious. I saved some diced potatoes from the masher to add to the mix. Then we stuffed the mixture in pastry and baked them. They were great room temp and carried well. My mother would make these all the time when I was young, telling me the story of the different names and how they were made sometimes for coal miners with half savory and half sweet. Fond memories of her telling this story many times throughout my youth.
From the basin, we made our way to Mammoth hot springs. We skipped Jack’s recommendation of spending two hours here, opting for a quick walk and photo op with her. We had a dessert snack before making our way up the boardwalk to the springs. An array of snacks including a new find, banana brittle. It is like thin, crispy dried banana bread pieces.
Then on to the gift shop; I’m not too fond of these places because most things are overpriced and a trap for you to spend money. Having said that, we proceeded to spend over $100 there! We came away with 3 lego style mini block sets, a bark ranger toy for the kids, a tee shirt for Amanda, huckleberry jam, and two Yellowstone shopping bags. The clerk said well, the kids and dogs are taken care of. The kids are with the dog toy, and the building blocks are for us and our trip collection, not for kids!
