Yellowstone, Etc.

[Lannis]

All of the US National Parks are crowded during the summer months as children are out of school, but it's tolerably free of long queues in September.

I can tell you that the week of September 23, 2018, there was nothing tolerable about the crowds, queues, and lines at Yellowstone during the middle of the week.   It was full up to the overflow parking lots.    Same at Zion and Bryce.

If it's been a little while since you've been, it may be that things have changed.   The World has discovered the Western national parks, their travel agents have figured out the USA school schedules, the World has lots of money now, and they're taking advantage of it all ....

Just a data point when travel-planning ...

Lannis

[Ncdan]

I can tell you that the week of September 23, 2018, there was nothing tolerable about the crowds, queues, and lines at Yellowstone during the middle of the week.   It was full up to the overflow parking lots.    Same at Zion and Bryce.

If it's been a little while since you've been, it may be that things have changed.   The World has discovered the Western national parks, their travel agents have figured out the USA school schedules, the World has lots of money now, and they're taking advantage of it all ....

Just a data point when travel-planning ...

Lannis

Sadly you are right my friend. The same goes for Disney World and every other attraction in America.

[Daleroso]

Suggestion.    Worked well 3 times into Yellowstone. Twice in June. Once in August. While non motorcyclists are sleeping later, getting their kids, relatives ready, walking the dig, eating breakfast we rode in between 6:30-7 am. Saw what we wanted to see on different days then on our way out between 11-12 we passed convoys of busses & cars heading in.
On a personal note. Asians don't comprehend personal space in the USA & either don't recognize the phrase "excuse me" or ignore it. I digress. Anyway, in W Yellowstone one evening in the small grocery store to acquire that evening's victuals & after about 20 minutes of being pressed, bumped, rammed & cornered with hardly any eye contact karma intervened . I found myself once again cornered by a LOT of converging Asians (who may be nice people). But, mother nature provided a satisfactory relief to my increasing stress.
Recognizing the opportunity I gathered all my available self control, patience  & @ the cusp of go or no go I was able to release what may not be a Guiness Record but certainly for me a 67 year personal best stealth fart. As I pressed my way out of the throng I was able to recognize a few looks of curiosity beginning to express on their faces.
After making my escape & checking out, I felt better.
It was a good trip.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Asians don't comprehend personal space

It is a totally different culture. Nothing wrong with it, just *different.*
Great trip report, Kevin! I missed this the first time around. We were traveling at that time. We have done exactly what you did.. some of the best riding ever. I love that part of the country. It certainly should be on every rider's bucket list.

[Lannis]

It is a totally different culture. Nothing wrong with it, just *different.*

The only "wrong" part is if you bring "your culture" to another people and another country, to whom "your culture" is obnoxious and antisocial.

Much as if I took elements of my "American culture" to Asia and insisted upon imposing them on the native Asians, without any awareness, respect, or care for their local "culture", customs, and rights-and-wrongs.   I really do think it would be "wrong" to do that, and I'd expect a negative reaction from local folks.

Lannis

[Sheepdog]

Perhaps an alternate location for Baffalo viewing...

https://www.travelchannel.com/interests/outdoors-and-adventure/articles/where-to-see-bison-in-the-wild

[Chuck in Indiana]

Since Dusty says we need travel pix.. I thought I’d add a few. Many of you know that when we travel, we load a bike in the van, go there, then ride the good stuff.

Dorcia drives the van and we meet up at designated spots. Her long distance riding days are over. She’s willing, but her back says no.
Since I retired in 92 (!) I’ve kept a journal on computer. Nothing special, just random thoughts of what went on that day. Richard Bach once wrote, A day not remembered is a day not worth living. That struck home with me, and I started the journal. This is an excerpt from when we went to the Oregon nationals, and took the MZ to SoCal..
6-19-16
Boiled eggs and sausage warmed up over our single burner stove with strawberries. Pretty good, actually. Saw a deer in the campground, and several antelope when we were on the road on the way to Red Lodge. Stopped at Custer’s last stand,


and walked around, took pix. Happy to see a tribute to the Indians that died defending their way of life.
0


There are two sides to the story. Checked into the KOA, did a preflight on the bike, ran into Red Lodge for gas.


Met a nice couple from Canada while waiting for Chris and Judi. Sts a while. Late dinner at the brewpub with C&J.
6-20-16
Froze last night, woke up shivering. Coldest I’ve ever been in that bag. Decided to go eat and then pack down. Broke camp and headed up Beartooth. The MZ was perfect in the mountains.


Blew by everyone on the road. (Safely, of course) :) Even caught a pack of sport bikers without even trying.. Awesome scenery.


It may be my last chance to run it, but it was worth the trip out just to do it. Sweetie cannonballed through Yellowstone, and got us one of the last campsites in Mammoth.


Research showing Sunday was a good day to show up paid off. :)

 Made do with what we had for lunch. We went for a ride around Mammoth loop. Saw several falls, Smokestack geyser,



 and a great overlook. Cooked a smoked sausage that we picked up at an old grocery store on the way in. Peppers and onions in foil go go along with it. Finished off the strawberries and chedder bacon cheese. Saved some sausage for breakfast. Since the camp host said Tuesday was their busy day (!) we decided to blast off in the morning.
6-21-16
Saw a cow elk in the camp. We’d heard elk bugling overnight. Packed up and off at 8:45. Saw more beautiful falls on the way out.


Insane line to enter the South gate. Guess she was right. Took pix of the Tetons on the way to Victor.


Jackson is the worst kind of tourist trap. Couldn’t get out of there fast enough. The pass going over the mountains was spectacular. Stayed at an RV park, nice place, $27. Local knowledge told us of a great burger place, and it certainly was. Here’s to motorcycle trips.. :)

[kballowe]

Great pics, Chuck !

More ?

[Chuck in Indiana]

Great pics, Chuck !

More ?

Thanks. More? How could a guy ride out there and *not* overheat his phone taking pix?  The first trip was essentially what you did. The second that I posted pix from was just traveling through. It takes time to post, though.. and we're in going to SoCal mode, so not much time available. Maybe after we get out there..

[hauto]

Was out west 30 years ago.Like to go back,maybe just avoid the NPs. The one thing that did disappoint me was that the roads were not a WV blast to ride.Much more big sweeping turns than scrape your pegs turns.Cool pics,I still remember riding across southern Montana heading to Little Big Horn NP.You know why they call it the big sky state,you really have the feeling your in a snow globe with a clear view- horizon to horizon.