Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Weather: 90 in Billings, 80s into Livingston, 70s into Gardiner, MT
Location: Billings to Gardiner
Highlights: Boys go to movie and Biddy and I snuggle at hotel, Livingston, MT and FREAKIN Yellowstone!
Lowlights: A little rain in Gardiner (ended up not bad)
#of Swearwords: Cant remember
People we met: Waitress in Livingston, MT who told us of the famous people who live there like Peter Fonda, Arnold S, Lois Lane lady, John Mayer who, by the way, played at the local outdoor concert in the park for free the night before. How great would that be. She also waited on Michael Keaton.
Activities: Movie, Snuggles, Mammoth
Hotel: Cowboy Cabins (awesome!)
Helpful hint: Definitely drive through Livingston (neat town and nice people) Stay in Gardiner because its small and quaint but has modern necessities right at the gate of Yellowstone.
Restaurants: Hu Hot (mongolian bbq) , Northern Pacific Beanery (Livingston)
Billings was a halfway stop-over between Medora and Gardiner breaking it up into 3-4 hour drives between each. We had dinner at Hu Hot then dad decided to surprise the boys with a movie night to see Guardians of the Galaxy. They were thrilled because they'd been begging to see it since Chicago. Elizabeth and I were thrilled to have the hotel to ourselves to watch tv and snuggle. We fit a pillow fight in there too.
Our drive from Billings wasn't too bad. We were really starting to get into the mountains. Beautiful. Then on some long stretch of Amber waves of grain and purple mountains majesty, our gas bell dings. There is nothing out here in America the Beautiful. We rolled into Livingston on fumes. It is a sleepy little town that used to be the Gateway to Yellowstone because it is where the railroad came through. We had lunch in a neat little restaurant called Northern Pacific Beanery in an old building related to the train station next door. The waitresses were more than willing to share their knowledge of the area and their travel tips into Yellowstone. They also made open-faced pulled pork over a gluten free cornbread that was delicious. They gave me a couple pieces to take home....on the road.
We grocery shopped in Billings Costco. Strangely, there were people lined up just before opening like they were waiting for tickets to a concert. I've never seen that. We also grocery shopped in Livingston because they said it is cheaper there than in Yellowstone. We were so looking forward to eating in. You get tired of eating out all the time. We are staying in a cabin for four nights to rest, recoup, eat better food and take in Big Sky and Yellowstone. The drive in certainly draws you right night. Hypnotizing and different at every turn.
Gardiner did not disappoint. Another little town nestled in the valleys of the mountains. One main road that winds along the Yellowstone river then crosses the only bridge across into the heart of Gardiner. Gardiner has only 3 streets running parallel to the river and another 4 or five streets that flow into the river. There are small homes, restaurants, shops, recreational stores, a post office, a Catholic Chruch and a few other incidental places. You can spend an evening in Gardiner having drinks, a dinner, some meandering and have some dessert.
Our cabin is nestled up on the hill at the base of the mountainside overlooking Yellowstone, its mountains and Gardiner. It is quiet yet near everything. The cabin is awesome. It is a new log cabin with a rustic feel yet clean modern and well equipped. We all lOVE it.
After we dumped our stuffed and emptied the van into the cabin, we took a brief drive into Yellowstone to get a feel for it. The entrance is literally 3 to 5 minutes from the cabin. Even though it was sprinkling, we were drawn in to Mammoth springs and decided to hike up and see the hot springs. Truly amazing to see the boiling hot springs and the colors in them. It was a neat intro to what was in store for us in Yellowstone.
This entry is a couple days off because we have been consumed by this place. Excuse the jumping back and forth from past tense and present tense. This was Friday and today is Sunday when I am writing. Wait till you hear what we've been doing. Times of our lives.
Check back soon. Lost in Montana.
- comments
jurgie B how fun! i didnt know you had all these pictures here:)