Yellowstone Questions

We love our Yeti as well! We added a second basket to keep more stuff off of the ice. Ours acts a lot like an old "steamer trunk" in that we add stickers from places we've been and gear we buy.

Techntrek: You should like the Canyon area. It's central, has some of the best sights (in my opinion) and has good services around. We've had good experiences at the lodge restaurant. On one trip, we added the phrase "after-dinner libations" to our catalog of sayings based on the menu there. The food is overpriced, but pretty much wherever you go in the park you'll find the same. The visitor center at the Canyon area is my personal favorite.

The brink of the lower falls is a must see, but it is quite a hike down. It's not the down part that's hard: it's the coming back up! The power of the water through such a narrow spot never ceases to amaze me and remind me how small we really are.

The Hayden Valley just south of the Canyon area is a popular area to see wildlife. You will be able to tell the people who just arrived as they will always stop to gawk at the bison. Personally, I skip them at this point: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30897171@N04/12056741763/. That was last year as we arrived... We really didn't want the company but it's kind of like that old joke about a gorilla doing whatever it wants!

Anyway, back to the thoughts: I prefer Hayden Valley for wildlife. It doesn't get the crowds, and we saw MUCH more wildlife than anywhere else in the park. For example, we saw a black bear and a grizzly bear at the at the same time, not much more than 100-150 yards apart. It's also the best area to get a chance at seeing wolves.

For us it's important to bring the right 'brand' of snacks and cold meats and cheese for our picky children. You may not have that problem, but we're spoiled with access to Trade Joe's and local italian delis. You will not find Italian salami anywhere in that part of the county. Well, except at a winery we visited in the Black Hills, but I wasn't paying their prices:) American salami is not the same... Also, if you have any food items you prefer to be organic, bring some with you.

They do have a great selection of local beers, though! Always fun for us to try the local brew.