13 months of advance planning! Why so long? I booked a week at the Worldmark West Yellowstone. Like Kihei, you have to be online ready to book the resort right at 13 months out as soon as the reservation system comes on line. Thus, after trying a few days, I ended up with Thursday, Sept. 6th - Thursday, Sept. 13th, 2018.
As soon as I told Angie and Josh that I booked a 2 bedroom unit at the Worldmark in West Yellowstone, Josh said without hesitation that they were coming with us (which turned out to be "me"). Neither he, nor Angie had ever been there and Josh had always wanted to. So I was excited about another vacation with some of the kids. I had extended the invite to Tim and Faith, too, but they declined.
A lot happened in the 13 month wait time!!! Most notably Angie and Josh adopted a baby (Layla, who was 9.5 months old by the time the vacation rolled around); and Ken developed char-cots foot and a bone infection and spent 7 weeks getting antibiotic IV infusions that ended about 2 weeks before the trip. I was in limbo for the last couple months as to whether or not I'd get to go. But Ken got well enough to stay on his own and even dog sit while we were gone.
Next came the debate on whether to fly directly into West Yellowstone or into Jackson Hole. After waiting a bit too long to get tickets, Jackson Hole ended up being a couple hundred dollars cheaper per person (still about $550 rt), so our decision was made. I wasn't too upset, I'd always wanted to see the Grand Tetons. Ended up not being any cheaper since we ended up spending about $600 in hotels to stay in Jackson the night we got there and the night before flying back home. We hadn't planned to leave West Yellowstone a day early, but wasn't looking forward to another long day of confining Layla to a car seat on the 13th knowing we wouldn't get into Perry, Ga.until about midnight. So we decided to spend the night of the 12th in Jackson, too. I'm not sorry we did. The ride through the Tetons on the 6th, and the ride along the back side of the Tetons on the 12th were amazing!
As for Yellowstone---it didn't disappoint, either! Weather was spectacular! Views were more spectacular!! Company was the most spectacular!!!!
Sept 5, 2018---travel day
Jackson Hole Lodge---accommodations in Jackson
Sept. 6, 2018--- to West Yellowstone by way of The Grand Tetons
Worldmark West Yellowstone---accommodations in West Yellowstone
Sept. 7, 2018---Mammoth Hot Springs and Lamar Valley
Sept. 8, 2018---Hayden Valley, Mud Volcano Area, and Canyon Area
Sept. 9, 2018---Norris Geyser Basin
Sept. 10, 2018---Midway Geyser Basin and Old Faithful Historic District
Sept. 11, 2018---Hayden, West Thumb, and Biscuit Basin
Sept. 12, 2018---back to Jackson
Sept. 13, 2018---Mormon Row Historic District and back to Georgia
It was another vacation I will cherish forever! Loved spending the time with the kids and getting to see so many spectacular things.
For my blog from 2002 with some different areas of Yellowstone, click HERE
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