Yellowstone and Grand Teton were the last planned stops before ending my 3 month long sojourn in the Solis. I encountered severe low temperatures as soon as I left the Seattle area, with 3 days of single digits during the day and down to as low as -9 (F) at night. I had to skip my last planned day in Yellowstone and 2 days in Grand Teton due to a cracked T fitting in my water manifold, but I was able to spend two great days in Yellowstone NP before calling an end to recreating.

*One of the many sights at Mammoth hot springs, Yellowstone NP*

I stayed at an RV park outside the North entrance for two nights in Gardiner, with the first day quite chilly. Yellowstone had recently received a bit of snow followed by the freezing temperatures, which was a blessing of sorts. My arrival found few people in the park, and I was able to wander the Mammoth Springs area with no one else around. A ranger told me that just a few weeks before there were thousands of people crowding the walkways and trails there, but as soon as the snow came….poof. I was also lucky in that the roads were mostly clear, and the van was able to negotiate the sections of compacted snow and ice with no problems. Probably helped that I grew up in Maine and the RAM Promaster is front wheel drive. I even managed a short hike, in the snow of course, up Specimen Ridge. Yellowstone is a huge park and I barely scratched the surface, but it truly is a land of wonder, with so many thermal features; hot springs, bubbling mini cauldrons and geysers. One could spend weeks exploring here. And so many Bison! I stopped for one in the road and backed up slowly when one emerged right in front of me from the woods in an effort to maintain a respectful distance. I was also lucky to arrive at Old Faithful within ten minutes to the next eruption. The only “disappointment” I could register was at the Grand Prismatic Spring, as the cold temperatures caused so much condensation over the spring that I was not able to see most of the deeper blue and green colors (from the different bacteria).

I have now rejoined my spouse in Colorado, where we will spend the winter. I am scheduled to drive to LA in December and retrieve my daughter, where we will stop at appropriate places on the way back to CO. Also, anticipate an in depth review of the Winnebago Solis, after 10,000 miles of driving over 3 months and weather ranging from 100 degrees plus to -9. Throw in driving rain, crappy roads and days off grid….well, I think I’m qualified to give the reader something beyond the usual walkarounds one finds on YouTube. Until then, Happy Holidays!

*Grand Prismatic Spring periphery, Yellowstone NP*