Day 11 - (08/13) Ennis, MT

Today was sunny and warm.  It was a perfect day to see Old Faithful and to head out of Yellowstone into Montana.  We only traveled 146 miles, but the day seemed to drag on forever.  Maybe the feeling was caused by geyser overload, traffic congestion at Old Faithful or the gridlock we got tangled in at the Midway Geyser Basin ... who knows?

We hit the road at 9:45 after saying goodbye to our new friends from IL.

We shared lots of stories and trailer tips
 with Tim & Lori Pickel

We arrived at Old Faithful at about 10:45.  Traffic was light and the parking lot was about 1/2 full.  We visited the Information Center and then claimed front-row seats for the next eruption (estimated to occur at 11:59). 

Information Center

Hundreds of people sit on top of an active volcano
 hoping it will erupt and not explode

Old Faithful teases the crowd

Rumor says it gurgles three times before letting loose

It started for real at 12:05 (vs. 11:59)

Thar she (he) blows, matey!

Afterward, we went to the Old Faithful Lodge for a very good lunch and another honeymoon memory.

The Lodge (from Old Faithful)

Lodge entrance

We intended to view the geyser basins between Old Faithful and Madison as we headed for the West Yellowstone park exit.  The Old Faithful parking lot was packed when we left and exit lanes were really jammed.  Parking for the geyser basins either prohibited RVs or were so full we couldn't park.  

We gave up on viewing stops.  Some very nice things happened anyway.

Elk stopped traffic near West Yellowstone exit

Montana welcomed us
and provided some very nice folks, too

Our plans changed when we stopped for gas in West Yellowstone, MT.  The station attendant (Shelly) offered some great suggestions for our route to Butte.  We are so grateful for her kindness.   We took US-287N out of West Yellowstone to Ennis.  The route ran along beautiful Hebgen Lake, through mountains and passed Earthquake Lake.  (Note: Earthquake Lake was formed on August 17, 1959 when a 7.5 earthquake caused an 80 million ton landslide.  28 people died.)  The rock formations were amazing. 

 We passed out of the mountains and into a valley of big sky views.

Our first views of Ennis were much like finding an oasis in the middle of a desert.  Their lawns were lush green.  We got the last site available at Ennis RV Village.  It is a fantastic facility ... clean, well managed, beautifully groomed and affordable.

Site #45

They had room for all kinds of rigs

A woman at the RV park recommended the Pit Stop Pizza & Grill for dinner.  Her daughter and son-in-law run it.  We had pizza.  It was great!