Our route from Glacier to Yellowstone included a two night stop outside of Helena for some trip maintenance -- catch up on email and other internet tasks; refill propane tanks; laundry and generally slow our pace down.

Our campground (CG) was on National Forest land, called Devils Elbow, for a bend in the Missouri River. Our site overlooked a lake created by a hydroelectric power station dam owned by PP&L, our former employer! Then, the laundromat turned out to be an excellent choice as it had free Wi-Fi with a good signal. The laundry was finished before our internet session was done. And our companion, serendipity, presented us with a bagelry was next door. Yum!

Our route from Helena to West Yellowstone was on routes 287 and 191. At the intersection of 287 and I-90, our companion serendipity, found us lunch place called Wheat Montana. It is primarily a bakery which is part of a farm and mill complex. Their motto is, "From our farm to your table; we sow, we grow and we dough". We each had a a very delicious croissant. The table next to us had the biggest, most decandent looking cinnamon bun we have ever seen. If your travels take you along Interstate 90 in western Montana, a must stop is at Wheat Montana at exit 274. PS, none of the food from the bakery was intended to be diet food.

South of I-90 we were along the fabled trout stream, the Madison River. We arrived in our West Yellownstone campground, Madison, about 1pm. It was good that we were there early, because of the trees and the narrow interior campground roads, it took me over a half hour to get into our tiny campsite. Of course, my trailer backing skills need to be honed. The Madison campground is on the far western side of Yellowstone. So many of the places we wanted to visit on the north and northeast sides of the park were more than 1 1/2 hour (one way) drive. At the Mammoth Hot Springs, there was no flowing water out of the springs. The ranger said the springs have almost stopped flowing. Further to the east is the Lamar Valley, probably the best wildlife viewing area in Yellowstone for Grizzly Bears and Wolves. As with other areas, the best viewing is in the early morning or late afternoon. We unable to be there at those times. This does not mean there are no other places to see wildlife. There is wildlife everywhere in the park, especially Elk, Moose and Bison. On our next trip to Yellowstone we will camp more in the center of the park, probably at or near Canyon Village and not in July. The main features of Yellowstone are its wildlife, the many geysers and other hot water events. The upper and lower falls of the Yellowstone River should not be missed. If you need a lesson in humility, let the Cutthroat Trout of the Madison River inside the park, help you with your curriculum. I did not catch any. I did not even have a hit on any of the flies I cast at them. Oh well, the next time I will teach the trout a lesson.

Yellowstone is too big to try and see all of it in one trip. From here we are heading for Green River, UT.