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North America, Travel
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August 10, 2009

Yellowstone National Park: Camping

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I have been talking about camping with the kids for months now. Before we headed on our trip, though I talked about it, camping with the kids…or camping at all, seemed like something “fun” to talk about, but a little nerving to think about. But here we were, heading to Yellowstone National Park with an open mind and ready for anything this adventure would throw at us. The views were breathtaking the entire way there and we couldn’t help but stop and take pictures to help us forever remember that we were once a part of it.

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We had covered mostly everything on the “camping list”.  We had a tent as big as a house, we had two air mattresses, we had pillows and comforters, we had a cooler full of goodies to drink and eat, we even had fresh cut wood for the fire.  What we didn’t have was knowledge about the distance between the Yellowstone entrance and our camp site.  We didn’t rush much because we assumed it wasn’t more than 30 minutes. But once past the Yellowstone gates we got a map and realized that we had entered through the East gate and the camp grounds were about 10 minutes out past the West gates, which were 2 hours away.

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You can’t speed through Yellowstone, even if you wanted to.  The curving paths and speed limits to protect the wild animals that may find themselves crossing the roads make for a very slow trip.  On top of the fact that they were doing construction on the roads which halted traffic for 30 minutes at a time (add that to the already lengthy 2 hours). I sat back worrying about  the sun setting fast, and we (my husband) would be left with trying to set a tent up in the dark. But at the same time I was in awe of the views.  Yellowstone National Park is incredible.  So while my husband was stressing out about the gradual darkness, I took pictures of the sun setting in this heavenly destination.

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By the time we arrived to KOA Campgrounds the sky was pitch black.  The campgrounds felt to me more like a trailer park.  The allotted land where we were to set up our tent came with a picnic table and a fire pit.  But we were in very close proximity to other campers as well, with only a wooden fence dividing them from us.  It felt terribly enclosed, not private at all, and not very much like camping in the wilderness.

I will admit that though I didn’t very much like this part of it, I did like the full shower and clean, bug-less bathrooms, 24 hour laundry room, cafe, and area to wash dishes located near by.  But the proximity of the other campers to our lot made it impossible for my husband to put up the tent with the car headlights on because doing so would have meant lighting all the other tents, with resting campers, around us (not to mention that in the morning, when our 4 year old who only has one volume, which is always set to high, would wake up and talk, we felt he was waking up the entire camp site).

So my husband starting setting up the tent, in the dark with only a flashlight or two.  Just as he was done, the first drop of rain fell.  We hurried to get the rain cover over it, but it was impossible to figure out in the dark, so we just threw it over the tent and went to sleep.  The boys, during all this time, were incredibly well-behaved, didn’t make much of a sound and quietly laid on their assigned air mattresses without a fuss.

Everything seemed fine until about 3AM when cold drops of water started hitting my sleeping face.  I sat up on the air-mattress I had asked my 11 year old to fill up with air, but which at this point was completely flat because he didn’t close it correctly. The tent was leaking in water from the puddles that had formed over it from the rain that was still falling.  In addition, it was freezing!  The temperature in the Yellowstone area drops to about 40 degrees at night.

We all got up and ran to our comfortable, warm, spacious, and dry VW Routan, and after setting up the kids on their seats and covering them up in dry blankets, they all fell asleep.  There was a moment when I wanted to laugh and cry all at the same time. But the cold and the exhaustion took over and instead I covered myself from head to toe, laid down on the passenger seat of the minivan and fell asleep.

My boys were such troopers.  Never cried, never complained, never fussed.  It was the best thing that could’ve happened to us while dealing with this (now funny) situation.

The next day we woke up early, a little stiff and a bit tired.  I woke up earlier than the kids, to the sound of wild geese flying over our camp site and warm pee from my 2.5 year old’s leaking diaper soaking up my side as he cuddled me. I slowly got up so as to not wake him and met my husband, who had already gotten up. My husband and I looked at each other and our wet tent and couldn’t help but laugh.  What an adventure indeed!

We got up while the kids continued to sleep in the Routan, and dried out the tent, took the wet sheets to the drier at the 24 hour laundromat and set up the tent cover.  When it was all completed, we kissed each other for having “survived” the night before and felt like after that, there was nothing we could not endure. We headed over to the eatery, ordered breakfast, and had a wonderful next day.

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IMG_0768It rained again that second night, but not before we enjoyed some s’mores, hot dogs, and were cozied up in our tent for a game of cards.  Perfect day. Another great adventure!

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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5 Comments
  • Lisa H
    August 10, 2009

    Love these photos and your story, Carol. Esp love that you can laugh at your rain misfortune. Makes the trip more fun. Now I want to go there!!

    Reply
  • Carolyn G
    August 11, 2009

    Great story. But that's why I like hotels. No camping for me. Luckily the VW was warm and dry!!

    Reply
  • Road Trip Survived | Traveling Mom
    August 18, 2009

    […] experienced camping, in the rain. (sigh).  And after wondering why I ever left my life in Madison, WI, I was later […]

    Reply
  • coleman tent
    December 6, 2009

    West yellowstone is also the best gateway to yellowstone park and its features. Though you might not be able to tell from just looking at it, yellowstone national park is built on an ancient volcano. Not just a regular volcano, either.

    Reply
  • Daydreaming of Summer and Road Trips! | NYCity Mama
    June 28, 2010

    […] Yellowstone National Park: Camping […]

    Reply

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About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons and 2 puppies. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

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I’ve been a mom for a really, really long time. I’ve been a mom for a really, really long time. As the oldest of all my many, many siblings, caring for littles started very early in my life. I have cared for, changed diapers for, fed, rocked to sleep, booboo-kissed, advised, reprimanded, worried for, been frustrated and given anxiety by more kids than I care to count. Because I started caring for children so young, I was convinced I wouldn’t have any of my own. But I had my three beautiful boys.

I miss the little babies they were, sometimes to the point where it aches, but I love seeing the men they are becoming. I am most grateful to them for the ways in which they continue to help me discover more about myself both as a mom and beyond motherhood. My identity was never fully in being a mom, I never wanted that for myself and they all have respected, accepted, and given me space for that. And I love them unconditionally for it. Because as they start to find their own paths in life, I am not left with an empty anything, instead I find myself with a life fulfilled. Of which being their mom has been the greatest adventure.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing mother figures, caregivers, and humans who have provided for another in loving, maternal ways regardless of biology and traditional roles and societal expectations. ♥️ May you find fulfillment, love, and joy in the ways you have tried to give to others who needed it most.
The Village of Monticello is located right off NYS The Village of Monticello is located right off NYS Route 17 (future I-86), mid-way between New York City and Binghamton. It is also the largest community of the Sullivan County Catskills. Like many rural downtowns across the U.S., Monticello has experienced some hardships. However, what I found especially lovely was how there is a vibrant BIPOC community, especially Latino, thriving with their small businesses and eateries keeping Downtown Monticello alive.

Imagine my delight to have seen several Dominican- Puerto Rican eateries serving and sounding like a slice of home. Last night’s treat was had at @nellys_latin_restaurant. 

Roasted pernil, grilled chicken, rice and peas, yuca, sweet plantains, ox tail, goat….the list goes on and on. Right here in Monticello, NY. I ate and washed it all down with a cool papaya shake, just like from the islands.

So, if driving through, be sure to check out downtown Monticello for some good Caribbean eats…and wait till I tell you about breakfast!!! Thanks @nickfingdavis for the find! 🇩🇴🇵🇷

#monticellony #catskills #goodeats @sullivancatskills
Nothing like the beautiful golden hour in @flxwine Nothing like the beautiful golden hour in @flxwinecountry.🌞

#myflx
These days you will find me walking in the rain, c These days you will find me walking in the rain, chasing waterfalls, and anything nature filled. Such is spring in the Finger Lakes 🌷

#fingerlakes #lifeinthefingerlakes #cascadillagorge #ithacany
I sometimes can’t believe how easily I fell in l I sometimes can’t believe how easily I fell in love with this life.

There was a time when my DREAM was to be one of those old NYC ladies living in a 4 story walk-up, and who people would often see pulling around her shopping cart from market to market. And while I long for a NYC that barely exists anymore, I do have to say I am still often surprised at how dramatically that dream has changed.

Now I dream of uninterrupted days spent tending to my garden and growing food and other pretty greenery I never knew I could. Or figuring out new recipes and sitting by the fire with my puppies on my lap.

I crave mornings made foggy by the adjacent lake, and early wake-ups by the sound of the passing horse and buggy on Sunday mornings.

Yeah. The world is big and there is so much I want to see still but I also love this place where it feels like nothing else matters, not even the mud on my hands and boots.

📸 Gardening bliss on a rainy day at @theflxcottage.
Yesterday, we headed to @tanglewood_nature_center Yesterday, we headed to @tanglewood_nature_center to scout a photography location. The focus was work. But as we took the 3 mile hike to the overlook, through the mud, in the rain…and the sun, because spring, and as the birds sung, the woodpeckers pecked, and the deer strutted, I felt myself feel lighter, happier, and at ease. With just a walk, in this beautiful place. Alongside my beautiful partner.

If you call the Finger Lakes home, I hope you can also appreciate it and the gifts it offers, even when we least expect it. And if you need a reminder, just go outside.

#tanglewoodnaturecenter #fingerlakes

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