Yellowstone National Park: Grant Campground and West Thumb Basin (Day 1)

Our home away from home was made at Grant Campground near the southern part of Lake Yellowstone. Very first thing we noticed: it was a lot colder in August than we had expected. This is our morning breakfast in camp on our first day, The low that night was 33 degrees F. Night time temperature when we left Maryland was near 80. I felt all of that difference because my sleeping bag zipper ended its career night 1, because of course it did.

After a hearty breakfast of oatmeal, we packed and cleaned for Bear protection. Something new for us. While we had camped many times, this level of bear procedure was new. All items, even water, had to be packed away when you were not in camp. As I do not enjoy bears were I sleep… that camp was spotless before we left for West Thumb Basin.

After about a 15 minute drive, we ended up at West Thumb Basin and experienced the absolute beauty of our first hydrothermal features as well as the grandeur of Lake Yellowstone. For our first time into the park for real, it was a real eye opener for what we were in for here at Yellowstone.

West Thumb was a great choice for our first day. With the exception of a few stops for roadwork, it was a great easy way to see things while also giving us time to explore where we were camping. Our original plan was to go through Cody, WY on our way into the park, therefore picking up some food at the Walmart there, but due to weather, we were rerouted. As a result we did most of our shopping at the General Store in camp. While it was a little more expensive, it was also a really good way to feel at Home in Yellowstone.

That first night we did some backpacker chicken alfredo with some fresh chicken added in for a little extra umph. Here Nick adds a little bear spray to the meal for some extra kick. (Please laugh so I don’t have to post this joke every time we cook in bear country.) While on the topic, that was also new for me. For as long as I was a Boy Scout and as many times as I have been in bear country, I never carried bear spray. But in Yellowstone, it was a staple. “Get up, keys, wallet, phone, bear spray. Okay lets go.” Both comforting and terrifying for the man with the fear of bears.

We tried to end each day with a meal and some hot cocoa. I wrote in my journal, Nick often played some sort of game on his phone. When the cell towers allowed it we tried to check in with home. There was a spot right near that fire ring where mom could actually hear us back home. That spot is what saved us from her calling the rangers everyday to check to see if we were alive. Overall day one had been a success. I gave it one last shot to sleep in the broken sleeping bag that night. Next stop: Old Faithful…