Untamed Nature Day 5

An Adventures by Disney Trip to Wyoming

July 13, 2006

We had to have our bags ready to be picked up by 7:30 today and on the motor coach by 8:00 am to begin our adventures in Yellowstone. Breakfast was in the Snow Lodge restaurant again today we all had the buffet.

Everyone was on the motor coach and we pulled out by 8:00 am. As we drove through Yellowstone people visited, watched for wildlife and shared newspapers. The kids were at the back of the bus as usual. As we got closer to our destination, Chris started sharing more Yellowstone information with us. We even got to experience a famous Yellowstone Buffalo Jam.

We arrived at the overlook of the Upper Falls that is on the south rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. From there we hiked along the south rim of the canyon to Artist's Point where we paused for group photos. Then, thanks to Disney magic our motor coach showed up at the parking lot at Artist's Point so we didn't have the hike back to the upper falls overlook.

Once we were on the bus, Chris gave us all a surprise. Earlier in the trip I had been talking to Ray, our motor coach driver, about my favorite thermal feature in Yellowstone which is the Devils Cauldron area. Ray told me that we would drive right past it. So, I mentioned it to Chris and he told me that we wouldn't have time to stop. Well, Chris and Christy decided that we had enough time to make a quick stop to see the mud geyser and dragon's mouth thermal features...gotta love that Disney magic and the AWESOME Disney Adventure Guides.

We then stopped at Lake Yellowstone Hotel on Yellowstone Lake. Lunch was at the restaurant there. Regan had a smoked salmon bagel, Kelsie had pasta with tomato sauce, Nikki had turkey sandwich crusted with Parmesan and I had a pastrami and turkey sandwich. We also got dessert there.

We had a little time after lunch to look at the lake and walk around the hotel. Then we boarded the motor coach for Brooks Lake Lodge http://www.brookslake.com where we would spend the next three nights.

The ride was about 2 1/2 to 3 hours and we watched Brother Bear on the ride.. As we got near to the Lodge, Christy asked us to fill out disclaimers for our stay since we would be doing lots of activities at the lodge. As the motor coach made the turn off the main road onto a dirt road, the excitement built. About 1 1/2 miles up the dirt road we pulled up to Brooks Lake Lodge where we were greeted by "Cowboy Jim". The motor coach pulled through the gate and we got off the bus and were welcomed into the main lodge. It is a historic lodge over looking Brooks Lake. We entered the main seating room, walked through the bar and tea room and congregated in the dining room.

We were going to be the only guests at the Lodge for the three days so we had a little orientation with the staff of the lodge. Then each family was taken by a member of the staff to their cabin or room. There are 7 rooms in the main lodge and 8 cabins behind the lodge. We were in the Solitude Cabin which had two bedrooms, 2 bathrooms a loft and sitting area. We were amazed at the beauty of the cabin and the surroundings.

After picking our chins up off the floor we unpacked and walked around the lodge grounds. There are stables, a spa, a trout pond, canoes on Brooks Lake, hiking trails and the beautiful lodge and we had to explore as much as we could before our social hour at 6:00.

At 4:30 every afternoon they have tea in the tea room. There is a fruit and cheese platter put out on the baby grand piano along with fresh cookies. Hot tea is served as is iced tea and lemonade which are available after 10:00 every day.

Social hour began at 6:00 and we all congregated in the main lodge seating area, bar and tea room to socialize, read, and play games. This turned out to be one of our favorite times of the day as we all got to know each other better.

Dinner was at 6:30 and we had a buffet of bbq chicken, hamburgers, prime rib and salmon. There were three large tables, one of which the kids chose as their own, and a few smaller tables in the dining room so we all just found a place to eat and visited during dinner.

After dinner we had free time. Phil, Laura, Christy and Susie decided that they wanted to go canoeing so Sam and I walked down with them so we could photograph them out on the lake. Nikki joined us for a little while and then headed back to the lodge.

When they all got back off the lake we walked back up to the lodge and visited again before heading back to our cabins to turn in.