RV Vacation in Yellowstone and Grand Teton Parks - part 7
Tuesday Aug 22, 2006
Day 6
We drove from the Madison campground to the Artist paintpots. The guidebook said it was a .5 mile walk and it was really about 2.5 before we were all done. We all wore flipflops and seeing all the thermal activity the day before, I would have to say that we could and possibly should have skipped it. If this were part of day 1 of seeing thermal spots, it would have been fine, but the kids were slightly over it at this point.
Obisiden Cliffs roadside exhibit was well worth the stop. The town of Manmouth Falls was really neat. Very nice and orderly in a park service kind of way. Most everything was built by the US Army in 1910-11. It reminds me of Ft. Monroe in Virginia with the officers quarters and bunk houses.
Having never been to Montana and wanting to cross it off my travel list (come on, everyone has something like this, right?) we went to Gardner, MT for lunch and a quick look around. It was the coolest wild west town on the edge of the park right at the Roosevelt Arch. We had lunch at the Sawtooth Deli and the lunch special was unreal delicious. My kids loved the store just down the street with all of the pelts and parts of my of the local animals. Want a fox or coyote pelt or bison jaw, they had it. Lots of Native American stuff, my son got an arrow with an Obisiden arrowhead. Love the town.
We stayed the night at the Manmouth campgroups (no hookups) but the view overcame any issues. We also got to pick our own campsite, which sounds silly, but was awesome. Many of the other campgrounds, you kind of get a feeling that there is a better site and the person was having a bad day so you pay the price. Instead, we drove thru and decided on spots and then came back to the checkin and provided the number of the site that we desired. How cool?
We went back out to Gardner, MT to go whitewater rafting on the Yellowstone River. Experience of a lifetime. Awesome class 2++ (almost class 3 at places) with scenic views and a great river guide. We had some really interesting talks on hunting and wildlife and I must admit to not being pro-hunter before my trip and I have an entire different view now. The rafting company is on the main drag in town in a tiny cabin with the horse riding guys. Sam was great. Highly recommend him.
After the raft, we went to the Raccoon Salon (an icecream parlor with attitude). I think even Clingan would like the Gunslinger. 2 shots of espresso added to a vanilla milkshake; good for what ails you.
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