BOZEMAN PLEASE — Sharon Mark Cohen

On July 22, 2022, our grandson Dizzy Bozeman turned two, and we were there to celebrate. We made sure to have his Paw Patrol shirt delivered in advance so that he could wear it to his party and that his sister donned her “Sister of the Birthday Boy” Paw Patrol apparel. The festivities were a rousing success.

Days after, we drove home with our son Moss, parting at the local train station for his trek back to Brooklyn. The following week, we took our first airplane flight in two-and-a-half years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. We flew into Bozeman, Montana airport so my husband Arnee could attend a conference an hour south of Bozeman, at the Big Sky Resort in Big Sky, Montana.

Big Sky Resort-Big Sky, Montana In back of the hotel

Remarking that it was a very peaceful vacation, Arnee responded, well, we were in nature’s arms. We started by driving from the airport to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. While there, we stayed in an authentic, well-equipped log cabin at the Cowboy Village. The next day, we drove up through the grandeur of the Grand Tetons, gazing at the dramatic features of Yellowstone National Park.

Cowboy Village Resort Individual log cabin rentals
Jackson Hole, Wyoming

A boat ride across Jenny Lake in the Grand Tetons started a mixed adventure. We disembarked to hike around the beautiful countryside and made it to the last boat back as a thunderstorm lurked and a bear stood near the dock. Still, the boat ride and hike are among the favorite memories of our trip. The lakes, rivers, trees, and mountains in Wyoming’s Grand Tetons are nothing short of majestic.

More of the Grand Tetons, Wyoming August 2022

Continuing our travels north, as darkness approached, we hurried through Yellowstone National Park to reach the west gate exit. Earlier in the day, the man at the welcome center cautioned us that the animals are known to walk freely along the roads as dusk sets in.

After seeing sulfur escaping from numerous geysers on that first day, we could hardly wait to return to the park in daylight to experience Old Faithful in all its glory. The very next day, we took the trip around the south rim, stopping at each marked sight, where we constantly marveled at the scenery.

Old Faithful Geyser Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Our friend Connie gets a shoutout for advising us to enter the park with a full tank. Driving is treacherous along the mountainous highways, and no gas stations appear for stretches of many miles. Signs, or road markers, are limited, and the park rangers are few and far between.

We made sure to hydrate with plenty of water, but we should have stocked up with more snacks. Or maybe it was good that we didn’t since we made it out of the park okay without the added calories.

Along the south rim, we stopped at the marked geyser basins, marveling not only at the colors of the pools but the majestic scenery as we snapped away on the iPhone. Yet, Old Faithful gave us the real thrill, of seeing the landmark we studied about in school.

That’s where we took pictures ad nauseam and sent them to our children in our family WhatsApp Group. For our elder son and his wife, the free-flowing photos brought back memories of their excursions to the landmarks out west.

We ended by gawking at the majestic Yellowstone Lake that night, a freshwater lake and the largest body of water in Yellowstone. Breaking away from the splendor of the view was only achieved so that we could safely exit the park.

Sharon and Arnee at Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming

After checking off the “marked sights of interest,” we admittedly left the park after dark once again. We were fortunate not to be met by any roaming animals.

The weather was scheduled to be a bit cool and damp in the park the next day, so we took the opportunity to travel one hour from the resort to Bozeman. Ah, Bozeman. The legal middle name of our grandson, in memory of my father, Benjamin. My father, a lover of adventure and the mountains, would have been tickled by the moniker for his namesake.

In Bozeman, we found the perfect souvenir for our dear grandson. A sign that says, Bozeman!

Souvenir sign of Bozeman, Montana for our grandson, Dizzy Bozeman

Aside from other souvenirs, we bought a few Bozeman picture postcards and sent them to our children. Since we inundated them with photos, we sent the postcards with few words. For the one for our grandson, his parents, and sister, there was one line, “Greetings from Bozeman to Bozeman.” For our other children, the words showed, “Greetings from Bozeman-Montana that is.”

While dreamily enamored by the picturesque surroundings, I told my husband the mountains of Wyoming and Montana reminded me of The Sound of Music. Then, looking up at the marquis on the main street in Bozeman, it was spellbinding to see that a touring company was performing the Broadway show on the very day we were in town. Stopping by for tickets, disappointingly, the agent informed us that there was only one ticket available for the show starting in just a couple of hours.

The Ellen Theatre in Bozeman, Montana presents *The Sound of Music*

Meandering back just before show time, we learned two premium orchestra seats became available. That worked out wonderfully well since they were nowhere near New York prices. We masked up and went inside the historic Ellen Theatre to enjoy a top-notch performance. Again, we stayed out later than planned but took our time on the daunting roads along the Gallatin River and made it safely to our room.

The next day at Yellowstone, we kept an even pace and saw all the sights along the north rim plus whatever we missed on the previous visit. We drove out around Old Faithful, where we were lucky to find some snacks for purchase in the hotel gift shop before leaving the park, after dark once again.

Our favorites on the trip included being in nature’s arms and seeing the unimaginable bountiful beauty our country has to offer. Some highlights included spotting animals grazing, slowly making their way across the winding roads, passing crowds of tourists wolf-watching, walking by colorful geyser pools spewing Sulphur, and viewing Mammoth Hot Springs.

Wolf watching at sunset Yellowstone National Park Wyoming

Geyser Basin at Yellowstone National Park Wyoming

Mammoth Hot Springs Yellowstone National Park Wyoming

That could only be matched by trembling at the brim of The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, eyeing expansive waterfalls running down the mountains, and the last of our sightseeing along the road, Mud Volcano.

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone Canyon Village Wyoming

Just one of the impressive water falls at Yellowstone National Park Wyoming

Mud Volcano South Rim Yellowstone National Park Wyoming

One evening, a double rainbow beamed enchantingly over the mountain near the hotel parking lot.

The real fun will come when we next see our grandchildren, embrace them in OUR arms and share our memories and souvenirs. We can hardly wait.