Big Sky Euro

No test run was ever made. And after discussing it with Ryan today and a lot of thought I'm working up a change in itinerary. We're gonna cut out going around the lake.

UPDATE


Hamburgers/Buns- Chad
Hot Dogs/Buns- Stoney
Potato Salad-Amanda
Macaroni Salad- Jason (VeeDubya)
Mustard, Ketchup, Relish-Stoney (Checkers)
Silverware/Plates/Cups- Brandon (kompressorgolf)
Cheez'zzz- Joe (ValveFloat)
Vegetable Tray-Mike (MikeWire)
Deviled Eggs- Joe
Chips- Brandon (kompressorgolf)
Cheesecake- Stoney
Chicken- Joe and Chad
Soda- Mike and Joe

Who else can step up and bring some things?


We still need more deserts!

Thanks for the help Chad, Mike, Amanda, Jason, Joe, Brandon, and anyone else who helps us out!

I'll try and stop by Wal-Mart and LehrKinds this week to get some pop and food donated.






Last Minute Itinerary Change

The original route is just going to be too long yet again.
This is the original, coming out at 6:28
Original Route


This is a new projected route coming in at exactly an hour less with 5:28
Adjusted Map 1

What do you think? It's hard to cut out Old Faithful as almost everyone wants to see it but who's to say it will even go off while we're there? I personally think it's too much of a chance to try and catch Old Faithful in action.

Is the drive to OF that cool that we can't miss it? Also, is the drive from OF to the lake that cool? The lake too?


If we skip OF all together it saves tons of time and we end up with only 4:42
Map minus OF

My own personal choice would be this:

Add in the drive to Tower and we're back at 5:27 and personally, it's an awesome drive with great views.
Map minus OF + Tower

This would consist of these stops.
Gibbon Falls
Norris
Canyon Falls
Tower Fall
Mammoth
Gardiner
Livingston
Bozeman

Here's the most fun part of the drive to me.
Area Between Canyon and Tower

We would be leaving at 9am and return around 6pm which to me is a lot better!
That turns into a 9 hour trip with less than 6 hours of drive time!
I'm gonna print out itinerary copies on Wednesday so I need to get this done!

Just my opinion, but Old Faithful just isn't that cool. You sit around and wait and then kerplooey and you are like "Was that it?".

I have taken three people there that haven't seen it and it was kind of a let down for every one. I'd much rather see other volcanic features than OF anyday.

Wish I could be out there for this.

Being I've never been to Yellowstone, I'll leave it to you guys with experience. It's easy for me to say skip OF, since I plan to hit in on the way up. I'd be fine with Map minus OF + Tower, since it includes what you described as "the most fun part of the drive." Again, without experience I'm open, I'm sure it will be a good time regardless.

Route change has been made!

I also updated the front page.
Still working on the schedule though.

We still need someone to bring desserts.
Thanks to Joe for helping out with more food!

Brandon, we need to bring your grill over this week when you get a chance.

Bring a chair for the BBQ! I don't have many.

Everyone keep in mind and bring any spare parts you think you or someone else may need.

I also still need to know who is staying here at my place!

I'm gonna post up directions to my house on the front page as well for the BBQ.

Intersting route change - I don't think that leaves up much time inside the park though. I would like to see us hit West, Madison, down to OF, over to Thumb, up to fishing Bridge, Canyon (my favorite spot) the head east to Norris then up to Mammoth.

With main stops at OF for a little while, maybe a photo op with the geyser, and at the Falls. Those places have plenty of parking.

That's a little over 6 hours drive time, but we all know that it probably won't take that long. If it does, I don't think anyone if us is in a hurry right?

Remember most of the drive time is to, and from the park. Inside the park each major attraction is or about 20 miles or less so the time to drive shouldn't be long.

Just throwing it out there, not trying to add to the confusion:

Mike's Route?

It's up to you guys! I'm not even going haha. I love the curves between Canyon and Norris myself.
Check out my new route Mike. I have a feeling it will take less time then planned too but you never know what will happen along the way!
Care to plan out a detailed itinerary?

Checkers wrote:It's up to you guys! I'm not even going haha. I love the curves between Canyon and Norris myself.
Check out my new route Mike. I have a feeling it will take less time then planned too but you never know what will happen along the way!
Care to plan out a detailed itinerary?

Ok sure I'll give some details, but I don't want to stomp all over your very nicely planned route:

Meet for b-fast @ 7:00 at JB's (optional)
or
Meet at the mall parking lot @ 8:15

Leave Bozo @ 8:30am

Meet up @ West - top off gas tanks and meet at the Grizzly Discovery Center at 10:00am - do final equipment check and head count and leave ~10:30am

Enter the park and meet up at Old Faithful @ 11:30am - eat lunch and photos

Leave OF @ 1:00pm

Meet up @ Lake Village parking lot at 2:00pm - chill, grab food or drinks and leave about 2:30pm

Meet up @ Canyon at Artist Point at 3:00pm - chill out and photos leave about 3:30pm

Drive to Norris and head North towards Mammoth

Meet @ Mammoth at 4:30pm - grab food, drinks and leave at 5:00pm

Exit the park through Gardiner and head up to Livingston and the take I-90 to Bozeman

Meet at Bozeman @ 7:30pm

Dinner at the Famous Dave's.

Go to someones house and Drink and socialize until we pass out from exhaustion or whatever.

Leaving a little early would get us a little more time in the park. This is only my suggestion so I'll do whatever you guys want. Stoney did a lot of work to plan everything so I don't want to stomp on his plan. I would like to see more of the park attractions though and I think the lower loop has better places for bigger groups like ours to stop. However I am not the only one looking forward to the trip so some opinions are needed if anyone wants to make a bigger loop, or not.

Mike makes a really good point! I'll also be having dinner with everyone on Saturday night. Famous Dave's is a good choice too because there's a ton of easy parking, ok food, and a bar as well.

Weather forecast looking great!