Sunday, 21 September

Today started early with the short drive to Dulles for Dolora and my 8:30 flight to Bozeman, Montana. We usually do not check a bag but hiking poles are not allowed in carry on bags. Check in was smooth and the flight was almost on time, with an open seat between us. Arrival was 10:45 Montana time, a two hour time difference. The checked bag even made it! Montana is a new state for both of us.

First stop was to pick up a couple of rental items, a cooler, bear spray and a spotting scope. There are no plans to use the bear spray. I hope to see a grizzly bear this week and the spotting scope will get me as close to the bear as I would like. Next stop was Costco for some breakfast and snack items for the week. Dolora and I plan to be out at sunrise for wildlife viewing and taking in the sites. Dinner will likely be our only sit down meal each day. After getting through the construction, the highway opened up with an 80 mph speed limit. Turning off the highway, we stopped for some ice and lunch items at a grocery store.

Our first night is in Gardiner, just outside the park. We arrived around two but no one was going to be at the motel until three so we went for a walk. Not much to see. Dolora and I got coffee and tea at a little cafe and then checked into our room.

Dinner was at Wonderland Cafe just over the bridge. Bison burger was good and Dolora enjoyed a salad. It turns out that side of the river is where the restaurants and souvenir places are. We walked over to the Roosevelt Arch. This was the original entrance to Yellowstone. Looks like we will be in the park within two miles tomorrow morning. Plan is to be on the road by sunrise. This should beat the crowd at the entrance and give us our best opportunity to see some wildlife.