Here is the second part of my Yellowstone National Park blog. Remember, these are ideas for you that you probably won't find on the Internet, and if you have any questions I will be happy to try to answer them for you.

Yellowstone National Park - Part 2

ROOSEVELT, near the northeast corner of the park has rustic cabins and delicious trout at the restaurant, however, the covered wagon ride, country western music, and steak cookout is something you'll never forget. On your way there, stop at Tower for the best ice cream cones in the park, and the short walk which is well worth your time. The road from Roosevelt to Mammoth is a good out of the way place the momma black bears and cubs like to be, so if you keep your eyes open, you may see a little bear or two climbing a tree with momma keeping close watch nearby. At MAMMOTH Hot Springs you don't want to miss the movie (all ranger movies, talks, and walks are free and so educational) at the Visitor's Center. Also, if the Jr. Ranger information has been filled out by the child, the Ranger will ask some questions and give them their official Jr. Ranger's badge. However, you can get it all over the park whenever they finish. If you choose to stay at Mammoth Hotel Cabins, watch the blue grass yard by the Visitor's Center in the evening, as a large herd of elk like to come munch on the blue grass around the military barracks. The cute little squeaker marmots who come out of their tunnels and run around in the yard by the cabins are also so much fun watch. While in that area, drive towards the Old Main North Entrance and look for Big Horn Sheep up on the rocks. Norris is near Cannon Village, which is where you will find the Norris Geyser Basin Walk with a Ranger. You will have to check your paper for the times, but it is about 1 1/2 hours and is excellent. Madison, towards the town of West Yellowstone, is a good place to see elk up close. Between Madison and OLD FAITHFUL, take the Firehole Canyon Drive. It's a beautiful drive with a dressing shack and swimming hole with geyser heated water at one place. Of course, as you keep going south now you will come to the famous Old Faithful geyser. There is a movie there, as well as the wonderful old inn which has a history of its own. Definitely spend some time there, and in fact, if you still have time at Yellowstone, be sure to stay there as well. By now you've probably noticed I have some places in the southeast, central, northern, and west "capitalized". I did this because I recommend making a one night reservation in each of these instead of picking one place to stay and spending most of your time on the road. You don't have to do as I say, but by staying in different areas of the park, you get near the action at that part of the park. The park is actually a figure 8, so I recommend spending a night at each area and doing everything you can in that area while you are there. If you see everything you want to see in an area, each place is near an exit of the park (you can get back in without paying). Driving out the east entrance, you are 53 miles to Cody, which has a wonderful museum.  You could easily spend a day in Cody, and actually what you see along the road on the way is worth the drive alone. The north entrance is 52 miles from Bozeman, Montana, which is also a great place to visit. The west entrance goes right into the town of West Yellowstone, and is 100 miles from Idaho Falls, Idaho, while the south entrance is 55 miles from Jackson, Wyoming. If you're interested in going to any of these, (and each one is worth the trip) you'll have to stay 2 nights instead of 1 at each place. Be sure to get in the habit of checking with the Chamber of Commerce at any town you want to visit, because that's where you can find out all the best things to do there for the amount of time you have. Also, don't ever cross a state line without stopping at their Visitor's Center to find out things to do in their state. We have a Kansas yearly book at the Capitol Building. You can catch up on your sleep after you leave. If you choose to go, and I hope you do, please let me know how it went and if you felt it was worthwhile visiting our 1st National Park. It's not that far up there from Kansas. Be sure to look for the antelope in the fields on your way up. There is so much to see and do, it's hard for me to stop, as you can see, but good luck if you choose to go. Everyone should go there in their lifetime.   

Here is some information about reservations, because calling now for reservations should get you into one of the area hotels, as well as reservations for the fun things I've been naming. The phone number is 1-866-439-7375, or you can go to the website www.TravelYellowstone.com for the latest park information. They fill up soon (especially in the summer when school is out), so if you can decide when you want to go, now is a good time to be making reservations.          Jeanette