Day 9 Mosey on

Day 9

Depart: Gardiner, Montana
Destination: Fillmore, Utah (559 miles, 12 hours)

June 16, 2015 

Today we mosey on down to Fillmore, Utah KOA for the night. We woke up early, the kids did an amazing job packing the RV for a full day of driving. We had to plan our route carefully. The best way to get to Utah from Yellowstone was to go through Yellowstone. That is not a great idea with a 45 footer towing a car loaded with bikes. Parts of Yellowstone were also under construction. We chose to head north to 90 and head west, taking 15 south all the way to Fillmore. We went about 2 hours out of our way but it was best to take this rig on the main highway.

Now we have hit Salt Lake City rush hour traffic, which appears to be better organized than that of the Chicago traffic JAMS we are accustomed to.  Merging is an organized art form here.

The highlight of the day was cooking bagel, egg and cheese sandwiches while Josh drove. (Hehe love cooking real food on the interstate) I really enjoyed watching the big kids try to wash the windshield for dad in the bright sun. SSTTTTRRRRREEEEAAAAKKKK. Then one of them left a windshield wiper out and it clotheslined Dad as he inspected the RV.  He packed his angry eyes.

Immediately upon arrival at Fillmore, KOA, I took the boys to the pool to get their wiggles out due to being cooped up for 12 hours in the RV. When the pool closed at 9pm, Carmen and I were able to throw some grilled cheese on the BBQ while the men opened the RV for the night.

Charlie pretending to get hit in the face every time Chandler would swipe up with the squeegee. 

This is prior to Josh getting clotheslined by one of those wipers left open. 

Unleash the WIGGLES

Rocky Mountain RV Park

Rocky Mountain RV Park
Gardiner, Montana
Happy Camper Rating 8.5/10


We stayed at the Rocky Mountain RV Park in Gardiner, Montana during our visit to Yellowstone National Park. The town had plenty to do. You could walk downtown easily for groceries, dining, shopping or to partake in the beautiful views. The RV Park itself had mini golf, small gift shop, dog yard and small cabins. They have showers, laundry and social bonfire in the evening. Each spot is provided a nice picnic table. Everyone at the park was friendly and the staff seemed to live there or within the vicinity. The views from the park were amazing.  At night the campers were out with their binoculars looking off into the mountains. I can only assume they were wanting to see the animals come out at dusk to hunt. The weather is confusing, 34 degrees in the morning and 70 degrees during the day. Dressing in layers is key. I would stay there again, the location was enjoyable for all of us.

Rocky Mountain RV Park

 Entrance to Park

Part of Down Town

 Mini Golf

Emergency Phone (what's that) hehe

Morning visitors 

Day 8 Relax and enjoy the view

Day 8

Relax and enjoy the view

Today we took the day to relax and play catch up. I needed to take stock on groceries and clean up for tomorrows relocation. We all took our sweet time starting the day. At noon I announced that I was walking into town. Carmen, Colin and Charlie joined me. As we crossed the bridge from the RV Park we saw a group of tourists shove off on a raft and head down river. They all looked up at us and we waved until they went under the bridge. Rafting seemed like a fun thing to experience together but it was the "thought" that counts. My last water experience didn't end in my favor. 

I had my eye on a Gift and Sweet shop on the main road I was wanting to check out. We opened the doors to souvenir paradise. Colin picked the card game "GO FISH"....what?!.... yep, he wanted a card game and a shirt (see photo). Charlie picked out a toy. Carmen has been collecting magnets along the way. Chandler has yet to choose a single thing. I'm sure he's buttering us up for something good. Josh and I have picked out pins for every landmark or tour we have taken and clipped them to my camera strap. I have been collecting some amazing embroidered patches from certain places we have gone so far. I found the perfect Yellowstone postcard for our next Random Postcard Recipient! 

WATCH YOUR MAIL!!!

Josh and Chandler caught up with us just in time for lunch. We walked up and down the main strip in search of a decent menu. We chose Rosie's Bistro. The food was great, I would go there again. We all chose a little variety but mostly different choices of chicken. I think we are all tired of beef. (I might just be tired of cooking it) But we got to watch toothless Charlie eat ribs again. On the upside, his pallet is changing, makes for a happy momma. After we finished eating, we ran over to the local grocery store and got our needed groceries while Josh took the littles to wash the car. I don't necessarily like having the bigs with me, I always end up overspending. When we returned to camp Carmen and Chandler rode bikes into town to check things out and Josh and I took Colin and Charlie Mini Golfing. 

I wanted to make Pepperoni Pizza Bread for dinner on the BBQ, but just as I started to prep, we got hit with a sudden HAIL storm. Up here in the mountains when it rains it hails. Thankfully our microwave is also a convection oven, so I just had to rethink how to cook it. The hail continued on and off for the rest of the night. Josh wasn't feeling very good so he turned in early. He told the kids if they got us totally ready to leave by 7am there would be a little fun money for them. By totally ready to go, I mean, bikes loaded, packed, dressed, car hitched, dump, water, electrical.... done. We ran into a few snags, but they did prove they have been paying attention. I was impressed.

Colin and Charlie walking into town with me

The view standing on the bridge in town. 

Our RV park is in the upper left corner where you can see the small log cabins. 

Rafters heading Down Stream

Cowboys Grill, Yummy

Mini Golfing with the Family

Colin's Souvenir 

"Let's Play Swallow The Leader" 

Yellowstone 

Day 6 Memorable Pitstop

Day 6
Departing Hill City, SD
Destination Gardiner, Montana (8hrs)

June 13, 2015

We departed from Hill City, SD at about 8:30am and anticipated arriving at Rocky Mountain RV Park in Gardiner, Montana around 6pm. The 525 mile drive was so beautiful. We drove through Wyoming and headed Northwest into Montana along 90. The view was so breathtaking, I took many pictures along the way. Josh decided to "take a bathroom break" and surprised us with an unplanned visit at mile marker 510 on 90 at Little Bighorn Battlefield, Cutser National Cemetery. We were all speechless. The little boys knew immediately in their hearts what they were seeing. The pictures speak for themselves. There were so many unnamed stones at that memorial. The memorial is the sight for more than 4,950 burial stones. The stones were lined farther that the eye could see. You will see stones of named and unnamed veterans, women and children from isolated frontier posts, Indians, scouts and Medal of Honor recipients. I am so blessed to have a husband that takes the time to research important stops during our trip but that he always takes the time to read the signs and be spontaneous as well. This was a very memorable pitstop for all of us.

We pulled into Gardiner Rocky Mountain RV Park right on schedule. The RV Park is situated on top of a hill overlooking downtown with a beautiful mountain view.  Josh was very pleased with his decision to stay here.