Yellowstone Part 1: The Land of Geysers, Glory & Zero Cell Service

Let’s be honest—if Yellowstone isn’t on your bucket list, it’s probably because you forgot where you put your bucket. But seriously, this place is wild (literally) and magical in that Looney Tunes-meets-National Geographic kind of way. It's stunning, chaotic, slightly smelly (hello, sulfur), and absolutely worth every minute of the drive—even if that drive includes two vehicles, four humans, and two dogs with complex emotional needs.

We stayed in Alpine, WY (population: us, a squirrel, and some really polite deer). It was about 1–1.5 hours from the park entrance—a breeze unless you're traveling with a dog who gets panic attacks in the Bronco (looking at you, Rollie). Yes, apparently that's a thing. The drive itself? Gorgeous. Think postcard-worthy views of mountains, wildlife, and the Snake River, but without the annoying “Wish You Were Here” font.

Fur Babies in the Park:

Yes, the puppers can come—but they’re restricted to paved areas only. Translation: they can’t go where the cool steam and bubbling earth stuff is. So, if you're like us and roll with a couple of dogs, make sure they’ve got a cozy spot to hang while you go full explorer mode.

First Stop: The Classic Entrance Pic

Because if you didn’t take a picture at the Yellowstone sign, did you even go? Naturally, we stopped. And so did a whole bus of tourists—not for the mountains, but for Cerberus, our cane corso, who made his debut like the celebrity he is. People asked for pictures. He posed. We may or may not have heard someone whisper “that’s the most majestic dog I’ve ever seen.” He ate it up.

Snake River at the Entrance Sign - June 2025

Visitor Center Vibes:

We popped into the Visitor Center for passport stamps—because yes, we’re that kind of family—and stumbled onto a fun little secret: a 70+ year-old stamp hidden behind the counter. All you have to do is ask, and the ranger gives you a side of storytelling with your ink. Honestly, it’s the most treasured stamp in our book (take that, Instagram).

Old Faithful (Still Faithful)

We grabbed lunch, hung out with a very bold raven (besides my daughter, who is basically the human version), did some solid people-watching, and waited for Old Faithful to do her thing. Spoiler: she delivered. We kept a respectful distance (due to the dogs), but it was still pure magic.

Grand Prismatic Stream Adventure:

Afterward, we headed to Grand Prismatic Spring, parked down the road, and walked in. It was crowded but not chaotic—probably because the weather was channeling early 2000s emo: cloudy with a chance of brooding. But the mist, the colors, the warmth? Chef’s kiss. Steam rolled off the river like it was in a spa commercial. We even caught fish leaping like they were auditioning for a Disney reboot.

Grand Prismatic Spring - June 2025

Wildlife Watch: Meh Edition

No bears. No elk. Probably because we didn’t hike off the beaten path(we’re bold, not bear-bait bold). But next time? We’re planning hikes. The full Yellowstone experience calls for a little dirt on your boots and maybe a bear bell or two.

Gen X Yellowstone Tips:

• Make a plan (but don’t expect Wi-Fi to help you once you're in the park).

• Know where your dogs can and can’t go (they’ll thank you).

• Take the dang photo at the entrance sign.

• Ask about the secret stamp. It's cooler than most things on TikTok.

• Don’t rush. Yellowstone is the kind of place you need to soak in—preferably not in a boiling hot spring, though.

  
  

Stay tuned for Yellowstone Part 2, where we may or may not see Bigfoot.