Yellowstone: then and now

Yellowstone was the first National Park that I visited as a child and it remains an American favorite today. 

Haven't visited Yellowstone yet?  I can get you there.   Email me to start planning today. 

on the top bunk of our beloved Shasta

I first visited Yellowstone as a 7-year-old.  I was with my family in a Shasta camper - one of those white boxes with an orange stripe down the side (I'm the cute one in red).   We drank warm Tang, gathered with the crowds around Old Faithful geyser, and - believe it or not! - cracked the windows of our Rambler station wagon to feed oreos to the bears.  Yes, our parents instructed us to do this, and the rangers stood by and watched, to make sure it all went smoothly.   That was 1971.

Now, it's 2014 and I'm 47 (about).  Now, the wildlife is well protected by rangers who enforce strict food storage rules and the national park service has launched campaigns, like this one: 

Don't make your car into a bear lunchbox!

Yellowstone's BIG attraction:  
Old Faithful
In 2014, you can plan your trip to watch Old Faithful do its thing by tracking the eruptions on your phone's app, Geysertimes.   

Sleeping and hiking in Yellowstone
And you don't have to sleep in a Shasta.  Stay at the Roosevelt cabins (although they might not be much more luxurious.  They describe their Roughrider cabins as "sparsely furnished" and one visitor walked in and said "Is this even legal?")
At the other end of the luxury spectrum, consider Yellowstone National Park's Old Faithful Inn, the largest log structure in the entire world.  On the list of Historic Landmarks, offering a towering lobby with giant stone fireplace, decorated with copper and iron features, this 1903 lodge is so popular that they offer daily tours. Stay in one of the 350 rooms for about $350/night.

Things to do in Yellowstone National Park

Favorite activities include hiking the steep but short trail down Tower Falls, or driving up to the Mammoth area to view the hot springs.

Wondering how to spend 1-day in Yellowstone, on daytrip up from Jackson?   Start at Old Faithful's geyser, grab a quick snack in the classic Old Faithful Inn, head over to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and stop by Hayden Point (a lookout over Hayden's sub-alpine Valley, which is along the Yellowstone River between the lake and the Falls) for a chance to peek at bison (and maybe even a bear) -- dusk is best!

Secret Swimming hole at Yellowstone? 

3 miles into Yellowstone NP from the north entrance, before you reach Mammoth Hot Springs, there's a small parking lot on your left.  Park and walk down the trail 400m to the confluence of the Gardiner and Boiling River, and you'll find a small swimming hole known mostly to locals. It's a rejuvenating mix of hot Boiling water and chilled Gardiner water.  This is what it looks like: 

Off-the-beaten-path in Yellowstone?

With over 3 million visitors last year in Yellowstone, you might be thinking "How do I get away from it all to really SEE the park?" 

You can llama trek, horsepack, or even sea kayak to the outer reaches of the wilds, and I have just the guide to escort you. (email for details)

Want a map of the park?

Want to see ALL the highlights? 

Call Melanie's custom design service to make it happen!
(609)923-0304

And stay tuned to my next post about a different season in Yellowstone:  WINTER!

Acadia National Park: carriage roads, sailing, and lobsters!

For help with your Acadia National Park vacation, contact Melanie @ Tough Love Travel!

7 things you should NOT miss at Acadia National Park:

ACADIA HIGHLIGHT #1:  The Carriage Roads

57 miles of rustic carriage roads were created by Rockefeller between 1915 and 1940.  He was living on Seal Island, and imagined a network of lovely wooded trails and granite bridges over which Desert Island (which is now Acadia NP) could be explored by horse-drawn carriage.

Today, these broken-stone roads remain, and allow YOU to totally escape the automobile!

Rent a bike out of Bar Harbor, strap it onto a park bus, and ride to your starting point of choice.  The Jordan Pond House is a central, though crowded, option.
Here's a map - the dotted lines are the carriage roads and the red arrow is the town of Bar Harbor.


ACADIA HIGHLIGHT #2:   Meet a real lobsterman, and then submit to a lobster-only diet
Captain John will take you on a 2-hour "run" to check his traps, teaching you about the local lobster industry, shipping and pricing, and giving you a chance to see sea lions along the way!
His boat is called LuLus Lobster Rides and costs $33.  Reservations are required for this tour that departs right out of Bar Harbor.

Afterwards, make sure you sample some of this local delicacy.  My family went on a lobster-only diet for 3 straight days:  lobster omelette for breakfast, lobster bisque for lunch, a lobster boil for dinner.   Lobster eggs benedict the next morning, followed by lobster fritters and a slider, then lobster linguine for dinner.  I could go on and on...


ACADIA HIGHLIGHT #3:  Kayaking to the Cranberry Islands

Out of the Southwest Harbor area, you can launch kayaks for a 45 minute paddle over to the Cranberry Isles.  There, you can wander the island's sandy lanes, take a photo of the good old fashioned general store, wave to some locals (are they summer or winter folks, you'll wonder), visit the historical museum (both Great and Little Cranberry Island have museums open in summer), and eat some shellfish at this dockside spot.

Don't have a kayak?   There's a wonderful outfitter right in Bar Harbor, named Coastal Kayaker.

Don't want to kayak?  There's a mail boat/ferry service that runs out of Northeast Harbor, with stops at both islands (and a motor by the lighthouse, too!) for about $28pp.

ACADIA HIGHLIGHT #4:  Your own private island
Want more than just a day trip to the Cranberrys?   You can stay on your very own island!  Only minutes from the national park, on your own 15 acres, for just you and your group (of up to 10), your caretaker and your private boat captain - because, of course, you'll need to get ferried out to this most exclusive spot.   Call Melanie to hear more:  (609) 923-0304

ACADIA HIGHLIGHT #5:  A good hike, like the Precipice
Many hikes of different lengths and levels are waiting for you in Acadia but my favorite -- for challenge and for views -- is the Precipice. Not for young hikers or for people with fear of heights, this hike is not actually technical but does require you to use iron handholds in the rock for certain sections. But it's not that hard -- I knew a family who took their pug on this hike!   It's hot up there on the bald face, so take lots of water.

ACADIA HIGHLIGHT #6:  Walking "the bar"
At low tide, the sand bar connecting Bar Harbor to the little offshore rocky islet is exposed, and you can walk or ride your bike across the sea!  Once on the island, a 12 minute hike to the top will give you great views, as well as a super spot for lunch picnic or sunset photos (depending on tide schedule)

ACADIA HIGHLIGHT #7:  Ferry to the Schoodic peninsula
A mere 4 miles (as the crow flies) or a 1 hour ferry ride from Bar Harbor will land you in Winter Harbor,  from where you can take the free Island Explore Shuttle Bus for a tour of the peninsula.

FUN PHOTO:  horse-drawn carriages, back in the day...

Back in time:  Maine's Carriage Roads

Wondering whether to stay in Bar Harbor or Southwest? 

Would you like to sail? 

What some hints for best restaurants for that lobster-only diet?

To get set up on the insider's track for Acadia, so YOU can experience all the hidden gems of this northern paradise, talk to Melanie Tucker, owner and chief designer at Tough Love Travel. 

Select your complimentary 20-minute appointment today.