Last night we arrived in Jackson Hole, Wyoming after dark. Everyone pretty much went straight to bed, I think. Or at least we did, after a quick supper from the local grocery. This morning we were able to see the beautiful place we had spent the night. What a charming town! Even the K Mart had log siding and better-than-average merchandise. I imagine the building codes are a nightmare. No billboards, no tall signs and every building fitting the plan. Not one nasty paint job in the lot.
We left our hotel around 8:30 and spent the day appreciating some of the best scenery around. Lake Jenny and Lake Lewis, surrounded with tall pines, rocks and general beauty all around. More views of the Tetons with a stop or two for photos.
Onward to Yellowstone, we reached Old Faithful around 1:30. As expected the geyser blew its top on schedule. We ate lunch, had huge ice-cream cones and bought a few souvenirs for the grandkids. I scored a book called "Who Pooped in the Woods." Only high-brow stuff for the offspring of my offspring!
We stopped for a look at an amazing waterfall and then to see the "Grand Canyon of Yellowstone." The colors in the rock faces of the cliffs are amazing, the result of runoff from the hot-springs in the area which contain iron deposits and such. We also crossed the continental divide about three times.
Among all of us on the bus, we spotted various bison, elk, antelope, a bear, and of course the chipmunk that was running around inside the cafe at Old Faithful. And we saw people who claimed to have seen a moose although they had no proof aside from the small crowd that had gathered to point and gawk.
After a brief stop at Mammoth Hot Springs we exited the northern end of the park at Gardiner, Montana. The town looked like a vintage western movie set, only more authentic. We all split up to find places to eat so we wouldn't overwhelm one small place. Our group of eight ended up at The Two-bit Saloon. 
They weren't kidding, from the looks of things. We trooped in and quadrupled their customer base. Since we only had forty-five minutes until we had to be back on the bus, Paul questioned one of the two barely-twenty-year-old gentlemen behind the bar as to the possibility of all of us being served with time left to eat. One of them assured us he could do it.
I had seen several round tables out back in an ancient courtyard and I asked if we could eat out there. He said sure, no problem as long as we don't drink on the sidewalk. I promised him we'd control ourselves. He said we should place our orders and wait out back. Someone ordered water. He pointed us to the glasses stacked on a tray on top of a nearby refrigerator and told us to fill the glasses at a blue plastic igloo in the room with the pool table. I fought back my desire to giggle and started filling water glasses. No one paid me the least attention when I helped myself to silverware and I saw Paul carrying out a container of ketchup and a salt shaker.
In no time our young chef served us some mouthwatering buffalo burgers (yes, buffalo) with a huge serving of french fries that four of us ended up sharing. Everyone else in our little party said their food was equally delicious. It was a perfect evening to eat outside and a delightful time altogether. Everyone on the bus seemed well-satisfied with their own experiences as well.
Card games are happening in the dining room as I write. I saw others standing outside visiting. Several are doing laundry (one of them is even doing mine!). The more I hang out with these people the more I like them.
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