Jeff and I are not just travelers.....we are an adventure seeking kind of couple! And to prove that point, we decided to head off to see three different national parks for Thanksgiving: Arches, Grand Tetons, and Yellowstone National Parks.Yep. We're crazy.
We started off very late Saturday evening so that we would arrive in Utah in Arches with half the day to spend exploring. It was a tad bit later than we expected, but we had a few hours to explore the park.
We began at the Visitor's Center of the park. Each place we visit, Jeff and I always pick up a patch to sew on our blanket of travels. Then we were off to see Balanced Rock and The Windows.
Seeing Arches National Park in winter was stunning! Snow was on the ground, sprinkling the area with breathtaking beauty! The added bonus was the lack of visitors. We could hike everywhere and get the "perfect" shot.
After our first day visit, we stayed at a cute little inn just seconds from the park, The Archway Inn. It was a large room, but SUPER close to Arches NP. It was great!
For dinner we headed to Buck's Grill House. One word....YUM. We used Yelp to find a place to eat, and Yelp was dead on! Loved the food. Jeff had the biggest pork chop I had even seen and I had the BBQ ribs. Both juicy and delicious! I highly recommended stopping here.
Day two was also spent at Arches hiking to see Delicate Arch. We cannot stress how amazingly awe-inspiring seeing this arch was and still is! It was a beautiful hike, one where you're not quite sure where it leads until you turn that last corner. WHAM! The arch is right in front of you. It was a glorious day. Sun out and warm for a November day. Simply breath taking! A definite must see!
After Archers National Park, we headed to West Yellowstone to rest our heads. Now, let me stress that the entrance to West Yellowstone is NOT open until December. However, being the adventurous couple we are, when we realized our timeshare was open for Thanksgiving, we grabbed it! It wasn't until after we booked that we discovered this little gem of knowledge.
But would that deter us!? Heck no!
We were determined to see Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. So, we would drive it. Yep, two hours there and back to each destination.
Told you we were crazy. Or poor planners...
After resting our heads, our first stop was the Grand Tetons. We drove through Jackson Hole (which was a great place to eat, drink, and explore before the way back) towards the southern entrance. I knew that the Grand Tetons was big....but we truly didn't grasp the expansiveness of the Tetons! Wow! So many animals were out and about! Moose, elk, bald eagles! We saw the iconic barn in front of the peaks and the stunning Chapel of the Transfiguration. You must go inside the church and catch the view from the window. It almost doesn't seem real! Stunning!
After another night of rest, we decided to take a day to "play" around West Yellowstone. At the time we were there, West Yellowstone was quiet and quaint, but we could see how alive it could be when December rolled along! There were some shops and restaurants open and the Cross Country Ski festival was just about to wind down. Even quiet, there was much to see. There were beautifully painted buffalo statues about and a classic rail car that tourist used to come to West Yellowstone in. It was saved and restored and you can walk through and see the many special touches the rail car had.
The next day, dark and early, we drove to the northern entrance of Yellowstone. Here is a reason why I am glad we had to make the two hour drive to the northern entrance....through the west entrance, we wouldn't have seen the iconic Roosevelt Arch! It looms right where you turn in with the vastness and elk all around. It is then that you knew you were going to see something great!
Again, because of the winter pack build-up closure, we couldn't see Old Faithful, but there are still many wonderful and once in a lifetime things to see in Yellowstone in November! We trekked to Mammouth Springs, Liberty Cap, waterfalls, including the hike to Tower Falls, hot springs, and even Lamar Valley! It is hard not to feel awe struck in Yellowstone! The snow on the ground, the crisp air, and the buffalo and elk prowling around....it truly humbles you.
Such an amazing, breath taking, wonderous trip! Pictures and memories for a lifetime. We loved it so much, we are planning a second go round for December of 2014.
We truly can't wait to go again!
No comments:
Post a Comment