Yellowstone day 2

Our second day at Yellowstone and the morning starting dark and foreboding. We decided to go ahead with our plans to investigate the more northern half of the loop we started yesterday. Please understand that this loop is still only the bottom half of this park. I saw a roadsign that indicated that the park was about 275 miles top to bottom.

The theme for today was ‘beautiful water’. The sun began to break through the clouds as we traveled and lit the lakes and rivers with golden light. By mid-morning, we had a beautiful sunny day, deep blue sky, and large puffy white clouds. We saw some Elk grazing and then a few buffalo – what an iconic sight – buffalo grazing in an enormous meadow with the back drop of the beautiful Teton mountains. Then we drove a bit and saw a herd of buffalo grazing – just amazing.

Our path today took us beside the Yellowstone river and Yellowstone Lake. We were marveling at the enormous size of the lake when we realized that we were just looking at a small portion of it known as the West Thumb. The Yellowstone lake is so large it looks like an ocean, except that it doesn’t end at the horizon line, it ends at the beautiful mountains which surround it.

We traveled on to the lower Canyon falls. We walked the trail and found ourselves downstream from the picturesque falls. The water crashed over the rocks and fell about 40 feet to the river below. It was an amazing site. We continued on to the upper falls and walked the trail to go and see them. This proved a rather challenging journey, given the elevation and the steep climb, but it was well worth the trip. We found ourselves on the top of the huge falls, looking down to where the water crashed below. The sides of the canyon are magnificent rocks and minerals, and everywhere are the evergreens which are so characteristic of Yellowstone.

For lunch today, we tried to stop at a café but the wait was 45 minutes, which was longer than we cared to wait, so we went to the camp grocery store located there. We purchased a wonderful lunch of chicken salad on whole-grain bread, chips and a drink. We sat at a picnic table at the visitor’s center and enjoyed the beautiful weather. Then we continued our drive thru Yellowstone, photographing its beauty and continuously being amazed that we are here.

We arrived back at our campsite around 5:00 and Jim is preparing a simple supper which he calls Baked Potatoes Royale. His recipe is shown below – it’s really a delicious comfort food perfect for camping. Tonight, we will pack up because tomorrow we leave for Greybull Wyoming, near Cody. To do so, we will drive thru part of Yellowstone, from the South entrance and out the Eastern entrance. Even though we didn’t see every bit of Yellowstone, I feel like I know it now. I know of its enormous size, beautiful mountains, lakes, rivers and wildlife. It will always hold a treasured place in my heart.

Jim’s Potatoes Royale

2 large Idaho Russet potatoes (we found huge ones here because we’re so close to Idaho)

1 lb ground turkey and/or ground beef (Jim made one of each for us because I don’t eat beef)

1 onion, diced

1 bell pepper, diced

Wash and dry potatoes, then place one potato on a large square of foil. Coat with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt. Wrap potato tightly in foil. Repeat with other potato. Place on a grill, indirect high heat. Bake for 1 ½ to 2 hours or until middle is tender when pierced with a folk.

To a cast iron skillet, add ground meat, onion and bell pepper. Season with salt and pepper. Cook and stir until meat is browned.

When ready to serve, cut each potato open (cut an X then squeeze from ends to push up the middle). Top with ground meat and vegetables. Jim likes to season the beef with catsup, I prefer BBQ sauce for the turkey ones. Enjoy.