This is a trip we had been planning for at least a year, that of going to both Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. We invited some friends last year, and they were able to visit with us and enjoy the sites through Yellowstone. As the roads in Yellowstone are layed out like a figure eight, and the park is so large, we divided it up into sections to visit on different days. The first day was on the northern loop, mostly on the west and north sides, with a drive through Hayden Valley in and out. The second day we visited the south end of the bottom loop, primarily from Old Faithful to the west. The third day we headed north again through Hayden Valley, but this time to visit Lamar Valley, which we have never done before. The wildlife was pretty spectacular, and we saw at least one very large buffalo herd.

On our last full day in Yellowstone, our friends decided to visit the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody Wy. We took the kids and attended to more serious business, that of finding Forest Fenns Treasure. Alas, our friends saw a great museum, and we didn't find any treasure - though we had fun trying. This last day in the park we ate our lunch at a beautiful spot, called the Nez Perce Ford on the Yellowstone River. This is where the Nez Perce, being persued by the US Cavalry, crossed the Yellowstone in their bid to escape.