Current

2026 West Coast Loop

An open-ended adventure by The Wandering Walkers Read more

Follow Insights Calendar Photos Share

2026 West Coast Loop Traveler
What Is That in the Sky? 🤔✈️
July 5 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F
Is it a bird or a plane …

Don spotted them first and was convinced Montana had planes flying way off in the distance preparing for an air show! But after a closer look, we realized those “aircrafts” were actually some of nature’s most impressive flyers — American White Pelicans!🪽

These incredible birds are so large that from far away they can truly look like small planes gliding across the sky. With wingspans reaching up to 9 feet, they are one of the largest flying birds in North America.

Their secret to looking like they’re floating? They’re expert gliders! American White Pelicans often ride warm air currents (thermals), soaring high above the landscape with barely a flap of their wings.

Once you know what to look for, their bright white bodies and bold black wingtips give them away. And while they may look like majestic birds of the sky, they’re also skilled fishermen, using their large bills and throat pouches to scoop up fish from the water.

Another unexpected Montana moment… where even the “planes” overhead turn out to be incredible wildlife. 🪽✨

Nature’s air show never disappoints!Read more
2 likes
2026 West Coast Loop Traveler
A Peaceful Stretch of the Jefferson River 🌊
July 5 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F
2 likes
2026 West Coast Loop Traveler
Straight Roads & Distant Peaks
July 5 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F
2 likes
2026 West Coast Loop Traveler
Rolling Hills, Open Roads & Montana Views
July 5 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F
Miles of Montana beauty between Ennis & Harrison, Montana.
2 likes
2026 West Coast Loop Traveler
Driving Through Ennis, Montana 🤠
July 5 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F
As we made our way through Ennis, we couldn’t help but notice the old historic buildings lining the town. There’s just something about these small Montana towns that makes you wonder about the stories hidden behind their weathered walls.

Ennis was born out of Montana’s gold rush era in the 1860s and grew into a ranching community nestled in the beautiful Madison Valley. Today, it still holds onto that classic Western charm. (Town of Ennis⁠)

Another little piece of Montana history discovered along the road! 🚐✨Read more
2 likes
2026 West Coast Loop Traveler
A Glimpse of Earthquake Lake, Montana 🌊⛰️
July 5 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F
As we passed by this lake, we noticed a visitor center along the road. Of course, that meant there had to be a story behind this beautiful stretch of water!

On August 17, 1959, a powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake shook the area, triggering a massive landslide that blocked the Madison River and created what is now known as Earthquake Lake. The event tragically claimed 28 lives and forever changed the landscape.

You can still see the massive scar left behind by the landslide as it came down the mountainside. It’s hard to imagine the scale of an event powerful enough to reshape an entire valley in moments.

We didn’t have time to stop this trip, but another reminder that Montana’s beauty often comes with an incredible story waiting to be discovered. 🚐✨Read more
2 likes
2026 West Coast Loop Traveler
West Yellowstone 🔜 Helena, MT
July 5 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F
We’re off for an overnighter! 🚐

We pulled out of West Yellowstone mid-morning, making a quick stop for fuel before heading out of town. Unfortunately, our departure got off to a bit of a slow start when we had to wait nearly 30 minutes for a fellow traveler who seemed in no hurry to finish fueling… and then do some shopping before moving along. 🤦‍♀️

But that’s RV life — sometimes the journey starts with a little patience! 😊

With the tanks topped off and the road ahead calling, we’re on our way toward Helena, Montana.

Follow our footsteps along the way! 😊Read more
2 likes
2026 West Coast Loop Traveler
No Traffic, No Parking…Just Fireworks! 😂
July 4 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F
After the parade fun, we headed back to the coach to grab a few things before heading out for the evening festivities.

Next stop… the city park for live music! We hopped on our bikes and rode over like true small-town locals. 🚲😊

As the sun went down, it was time for fireworks! The best part? They launched them from a nearby parking lot, so we didn’t even have to leave our campsite to enjoy the show. Talk about convenient!

For a small-town celebration, they put on a pretty impressive display. Good music, fireworks, and a perfect summer evening…not a bad way to celebrate the Fourth of July! 🇺🇸✨Read more
TravelerGreat 🎆 🎇 finale!!!
7/24/26Reply
5 likes
2026 West Coast Loop Traveler
From Road Grime to Parade Time 😂
July 4 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F
It’s been over a month since we hit the road, and after thousands of miles, the coach and Jeep were no longer turning heads…unless someone was admiring the impressive layer of road grime! 🤣

With beautiful weather on our side, today became spa day! They both got a good bath, and Don even gave all the rubber and plastic a little extra TLC. They’re now looking road-trip ready again…because there are still plenty more miles ahead! 🤣

After all that hard work, we rewarded ourselves with lunch at Yellowstone Beer Company. Don couldn’t resist going back for another bowl of their delicious elk chili and another pint of Ojo Caliente, their local hazy IPA. This time I had the Southwest Chicken Salad and a glass of Pinot Noir. I think we may have found our favorite spot in West Yellowstone!

After lunch, we enjoyed the crowds at the West Yellowstone Fourth of July Parade. They must have bought a truckload of candy because almost every float was throwing out a ridiculous amount! 🍬😂 And just when you thought you were safe…along came the water trucks, soaking anyone who wasn’t paying attention. It was all part of the fun and a perfect small-town Fourth of July celebration.

Not every day on the road is about hiking mountains…sometimes it’s about shiny vehicles, good food, and getting sprayed with water. 🇺🇸🚐😂Read more
3 likes
2026 West Coast Loop Traveler
A Little Trip Down Memory Lane
July 3 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F
On our way back to camp on I-90, we spotted one more bear along the road. Apparently Yellowstone wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye!

A little farther down the highway, we came to an exit we couldn’t pass up.

Years ago, we’d spent a night in the tiny town of Reed Point, Montana, so we took a quick trip down memory lane. It was just as we remembered—a little mom-and-pop RV park, a rustic old gas station, and the local saloon where we’d had dinner. Funny how the smallest places can leave the biggest memories.

Reed Point has fewer than 200 residents and is best known for its annual Great Montana Sheep Drive, when hundreds of sheep take over Main Street. We didn’t see any sheep this time…guess they had the day off. 🐑😂

Back on Hwy 191, I spotted a little fox pounce on its prey in a field. Apparently it was dinner time! 🦊

We also passed the outskirts of Big Sky, which brought back great memories of a ski trip we took there years ago.

What a day … not a bad way to wrap up one unforgettable day!Read more
3 likes
2026 West Coast Loop Traveler
The Beartooth Highway — Worth the Wait!
July 3 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
Today was the day we finally got to drive the iconic Beartooth Scenic Highway! This drive has been on our Yellowstone bucket list for years, and we had heard so many amazing things about it.

Mother Nature almost changed our plans. That late-season snowstorm we talked about earlier had closed the highway for much of the week, but thankfully it reopened just in time… and we were rewarded with absolutely beautiful weather! Around every corner was another “wow” moment — alpine lakes, rushing rivers, towering peaks, waterfalls, and mountain views that just kept getting better.

Of course, we had to stop for some fun photo opportunities. I even climbed out onto a rocky overlook for a selfie with one incredible backdrop! (Don’t worry… I made it back safely. 😉)

The wildlife didn’t disappoint either. A Rocky Mountain goat basically came walking right toward me, and I had to step back to let him pass. I think I’ll let him carefully navigate the steep snowy cliff instead of me! 🫣

And of course… more marmots enjoying their high-altitude playground.

A little about this incredible road… The Beartooth Scenic Highway is a 68-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 212 connecting Red Lodge, Montana, to Yellowstone’s Northeast Entrance. It climbs to nearly 11,000 feet at Beartooth Pass, making it one of the highest paved highways in the United States. The road winds through the rugged Absaroka and Beartooth Mountains, with countless alpine lakes, waterfalls, and views that truly earn its reputation as one of the most beautiful drives in America.

What a drive!Read more
3 likes
2026 West Coast Loop Traveler
The Wildlife Show Before the Beartooth
July 3 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F
Before tackling the Beartooth Highway, we made a quick trip down to Gardiner to see the famous Roosevelt Arch. Built in 1903, it’s where President Theodore Roosevelt dedicated Yellowstone with the words, “For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People.” The area also took a huge hit during the historic 2022 flood, which washed out the original road between Gardiner and Mammoth.

Heading back into the park, we spotted elk grazing on the hillside. They were still there when we came back through…apparently they had no plans for the day!

As we made our way toward the Northeast Entrance, Yellowstone kept delivering. We saw another waterfall, a bear, passed through Tower Junction, and then entered Lamar Valley…

And the bison …. they just kept coming. I mean A LOT of bison! I’m pretty sure there was a bison convention going on along the Lamar River. 😂 Every time we rounded a corner there were more!

Just before Soda Butte, we spotted a pronghorn. Those eyelashes! No mascara needed there. 😄

And then…another bear! I’m pretty sure he looked right at us and gave us a little wave as we drove by. 🐻👋

No hiking today, but Yellowstone more than made up for it with an amazing wildlife show.

And of course…before leaving the park, I had to get one more picture at the Northeast Entrance sign before we headed onto the Beartooth Highway!Read more
3 likes
2026 West Coast Loop Traveler
The North Side
July 3 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F
Today was a 12-hour adventure! We explored the north end of Yellowstone before taking the incredible Beartooth Highway to Red Lodge, Montana. That part of our day took about 8 hours. From there, it was a 4-hour drive back to camp, making one amazing loop.

First things first…breakfast at the Old Town Café before hitting the road. We had barely gotten started heading north from Norris before spotting deer and bison!

Our first stop…Roaring Mountain, where a bison was soaking up the morning sun while steam poured from the mountainside behind him.

Next…Sheepeater Cliff, followed by a quick stop at beautiful Rustic Falls. Such a pretty little waterfall right beside the road.

The Golden Gate area was really interesting. Back in the late 1800s, the original road crossed a wooden trestle attached to the side of the cliff. I can’t imagine traveling over that! The golden-colored cliffs were formed from volcanic ash, which is how the area got its name. We also passed the huge Golden Gate Boulder (not captured in my photos. 😞)

Then came the Hoodoos. At first, they look like the remains of a giant rockslide, but these rocks actually tumbled down long ago from ancient hot spring formations on what’s now called Terrace Mountain.

One of my favorite stops along the way was driving the Upper Terrace Drive at Mammoth Hot Springs. The white terraces, colorful pools, and steaming formations were incredible. Orange Mound was interesting.

And this was only the beginning of our day…Read more
3 likes
2026 West Coast Loop Traveler
Catch-Up Day Turned Adventure Day! 🚴‍♀️🐻🍺🍷🚴‍♂️
July 2 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F
OMG… what a GREAT day!

We started the morning getting caught up around the RV. Laundry is finally done (and my Jeep got ducked! 🦆), my bike is back in action (thanks, Don… you rock! ❤️), and by afternoon we were ready to hit the trails.

We rode the Rendezvous Ski Trails, connected to the Riverside Trailhead, and followed the Upper and Lower River Loop Trails into Yellowstone National Park. The trails were smooth, scenic, and so much fun… except for a couple of those steep downhills! 😄

Of course, we had to stop for the obligatory Yellowstone West Entrance selfie before heading back into town.

Our reward? A cold beverage and a bowl of Yellowstone Beer Company’s delicious Spicy Elk Chili that we happily split. The perfect ending to an incredible ride!

The things Don and I talk each other into doing… one (or both!) of us might be a little crazy! 🤣 I rode trails I haven’t tackled in quite a while and had an absolute blast. Maybe it was the adrenaline of wondering if we’d round a corner and meet a bear—or some other Yellowstone wildlife—but whatever it was, it was a great day!

The trails were fantastic, the scenery was breathtaking, and today reminded me just how much I love mountain biking. Thank you, hands, for cooperating today! ❤️ I didn’t conquer every hill—one climb got the best of me, and one descent was steep enough that walking my bike was the smarter (and safer!) choice. That’s okay. The goal isn’t to ride every inch of every trail… it’s to keep getting out there, enjoying the adventure, and making memories. 🚴‍♀️🌲

And just when we thought the day was over, we got back to the RV and found that our Tiffin had been “turtled!” 🐢 Our Jeep got ducked AND our Tiffin got turtled… apparently it was our lucky day! If you know, you know. 😄

What a fun way to wrap up an unforgettable adventure!Read more
Sounds perfect 😍 [Roger]
7/10/26Reply
5 likes
2026 West Coast Loop Traveler
A Wild Ride Back
July 1 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 54 °F
What a full day!

As we made the drive back to camp, we were pretty sure we’d run into some wildlife… but WOW, we weren’t expecting this!

Check out these incredible sightings—bears and bison everywhere! It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable day in Yellowstone. 🦬🐻Read more
4 likes
2026 West Coast Loop Traveler
A Faithful Finish
July 1 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F
Our last stop before heading back to camp—well… home. 🤗 (Home is wherever the RV is these days!)

We arrived just in time to get my passport stamp and find a seat for Old Faithful’s next performance. The predicted eruption time was 7:22 p.m. It looked like it might go at 7:20, but it didn’t really get going until about 7:24. I’d say that’s pretty impressive for something Mother Nature is in charge of! 😊

After the show, we took a leisurely stroll along the Old Faithful Boardwalk, enjoying the geysers, the Firehole River, and the beautiful landscape. We also stopped by both the Old Faithful Lodge and the Old Faithful Inn.

The Inn is truly a masterpiece. It’s amazing to think that architect Robert C. Reamer envisioned and designed such an incredible building over a century ago. I was absolutely in awe — pictures don’t do it justice!Read more
4 likes
2026 West Coast Loop Traveler
Bison, Bubbling Mud & a Game of Peek-a-Boo!
July 1 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F
As we made our way to the Mud Volcano Area, we spotted several bison along the road. I happened to catch one in the middle of… well… answering nature’s call. 😂 He didn’t seem the least bit embarrassed—in fact, it looked like he was smiling (or laughing) at us! Another seemed to be posing perfectly in the field, as if he knew exactly where the camera was.

Since we had explored the Mud Volcano Area on a previous visit, we didn’t spend much time here today, but we enjoyed Dragon’s Mouth Spring and the story behind it. Watching the steam escape from the cave while the water churns inside never gets old.

Continuing along the Grand Loop Road, we made quick stops at LeHardy Rapids and Steamboat Point. LeHardy Rapids sits above one of Yellowstone’s underground fault zones, where scientists have measured the ground rising and falling more than three feet over time—a reminder that there is still magma and superheated water moving deep beneath our feet.

At Steamboat Point, the steam vents weren’t putting on a huge show today, but seeing steam rise right out of the rocks along Yellowstone Lake was pretty amazing. Early visitors thought the sound of the escaping steam resembled the pressure release of a steamboat, which is how it got its name.

The rest of our drive brought more Yellowstone surprises—Pelican Creek, Mary’s Bay, and Yellowstone Lake looking more like an ocean than a lake. We spotted a handsome elk with an impressive rack, crossed the Continental Divide twice, and my favorite crossing was the one beside a peaceful pond covered in lily pads.

And finally… isn’t the bison playing peek-a-boo just adorable?!? 🦬❤️Read more
4 likes
2026 West Coast Loop Traveler
One Canyon, Countless Views… Worth Every Step!
July 1 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F
The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone did not disappoint!

On the North Rim, we hiked about a half mile from Lookout Point to Red Rock Point. Then it was over to the South Rim for the Uncle Tom’s Trail. We wrapped up our North and South Rim hikes by driving to Artist Point and hiking nearly 3 miles along the South Rim Trail to Uncle Tom’s Trail and back.

Every overlook seemed to offer a different perspective of the Upper and Lower Falls, the colorful canyon walls, and those incredible red rock formations. Honestly, I had the hardest time deciding which photos to share because every view seemed better than the last—even if it was “just another picture” of the same waterfall!

If you look closely at the photo of the Lower Falls taken from the North Rim, you can spot the boardwalk leading down to the viewpoint. That’s about 124 steps one way… and yes, whatever goes down eventually has to come back up! 😅

On our way to Inspiration Point, we passed one very lonely boulder sitting beside the road. It isn’t just any rock—it’s a famous glacial erratic that was carried about 15 miles by a glacier from the Beartooth Mountains and dropped here around 80,000 years ago. Imagine being that boulder… one really long ride, and you’ve been parked in the same spot ever since! 🪨

One last question… did anyone else notice the face hiding in these pictures, or is it just me? 😂Read more
4 likes
2026 West Coast Loop Traveler
Passport Stamp & Patient Raven
July 1 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 59 °F
Today I’m feeling just a little giddy… I couldn’t wait to see all the waterfalls as we headed out for a full day exploring Yellowstone’s Grand Loop.

Along the way, we took the scenic Virginia Cascades Drive—a beautiful three-mile, one-way road that winds through a lodgepole pine forest and follows the Gibbon River. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to capture a good photo of the 60-foot Virginia Cascades, but it was still a worthwhile detour.

Next stop… the Canyon Visitor Center for my passport stamp. ✔️ Check!

After wandering around and exploring the shops we had lunch; and it didn’t take long for a raven to show up … patiently waiting and clearly hoping we’d be willing to share!Read more
3 likes
2026 West Coast Loop Traveler
1
1
Angry Skies...
June 30 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 52 °F
We made it back just in time before the storms rolled in. What a view of these incredible cloud formations!
That’s wicked scary 😱 [Roger]
7/7/26Reply
4 likes
2026 West Coast Loop Traveler
Waterfalls to Geysers & Springs
June 30 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 52 °F
By afternoon, the sun finally decided to join us, so it was time to head into Yellowstone! We breezed through the entrance and made our way toward the Norris area, passing waterfalls, steaming hillsides, and plenty of wildlife along the way. We spotted swans, a herd of elk, and even a buck and doe grazing nearby.

Our first stop was Madison Information Station, where I added another passport stamp to my collection. 😊💕 From there, we hiked the one-mile Artist Paint Pots Trail to see bubbling mud pots and colorful thermal features unlike anything we’d seen before.

Next up was Norris Geyser Basin. We explored the Norris Geyser Basin Trail, taking in bubbling springs, roaring steam vents, crystal-clear pools, and Steamboat Geyser—the world’s tallest active geyser. One of the more interesting stops was Minute Geyser, which was permanently changed years ago after visitors threw rocks into one of its vents. A good reminder to leave nature just as we find it.

The only disappointment? The Norris bookstore was closed because of a bear spray incident, so no passport stamp there. 👎 Well — guess I’ll have to come back for another visit!Read more
4 likes
2026 West Coast Loop Traveler
Bears, Wolves & Otters… Oh My!
June 30 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F
It was a cold, wet morning, so we decided to keep things low-key. Just a few blocks from our campground was the Wolf & Bear Discovery Center, which felt like an easy way to ease into the day.

To be honest, it was probably a little overhyped based on what we’d read online, but we still had a great time. Watching the bears roam, the wolves interact, and the playful otters steal the show made the visit worthwhile. It ended up being a fun, relaxed way to start the day in Yellowstone, even with the weather not exactly cooperating.Read more
4 likes
2026 West Coast Loop Traveler
From Snowy Roads to Bison Bites
June 29 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 41 °F
After arriving, we realized our Jeep was absolutely covered in road sand. That’s what makes it such a great adventure vehicle—we beat it up, then clean it up! 😄

AND we discovered the freezing temperatures had cracked our water hose. 😆 A quick trip to the hardware store, a little campsite repair, and we were back in business.

Once we got settled, we treated ourselves to dinner at the Buffalo Bar. We both went with bison—taco salad for me and a bison burger for Don. It was the perfect way to end a day of snowy roads, amazing Yellowstone scenery, and a few unexpected adventures.

Back at the coach, Jack was one happy camper. The heated floors and Aqua-Hot had everything warm and cozy, and he wasted no time getting comfortable. I’d say he’s living the dream! 🐾Read more
4 likes
2026 West Coast Loop Traveler
Tetons ➜ Yellowstone
June 29 in the United States ⋅ ❄️ 32 °F
Travel day! We were racing the weather, hoping to get through Yellowstone before a late-June snowstorm rolls in — almost made it!

We avoided the high winds but still drove through a few hours of snow. It wasn’t heavy, but it was enough to have Don gripping the steering wheel a little tighter — even if he looked cool as a cucumber! Thankfully, the roads stayed in good shape and traffic was light.

Yellowstone was absolutely beautiful with fresh snow dusting the steaming thermal features. And the highlight? A close-up bear sighting right alongside the road!

We made it safely to West Yellowstone, got settled into Grizzly RV Resort, and now it’s time to warm up, get comfortable, and see what Mother Nature has in store for us this week. Sunshine, chilly temperatures, and even more chances of snow… I have a feeling Yellowstone is going to keep us on our toes!Read more
4 likes
2026 West Coast Loop Traveler
Carrots, horses, and a Tetons sunset…
June 28 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 45 °F
For the past few evenings, we’ve been entertained by the horses next door—racing back and forth like they own the place. Tonight, Don showed up with peace offerings: carrots.

At first, only the white-and-brown one was brave enough to investigate, but word spread quickly. Soon they all came over, suddenly very interested in “friendship snacks.” Unfortunately, Don came unprepared for the full herd, so unfortunately not everyone got a snack. 😓

After several days of unsettled weather, the skies finally cleared just in time for sunset. Golden light spilled across the valley with the Tetons standing quietly in the distance—a perfect reminder of why we love RV life: simple moments, unexpected encounters, and views that don’t need filters.

Tomorrow we roll toward Yellowstone for the next chapter of the adventure. Something tells us it won’t disappoint.Read more
I’ll always remember the site of the Tetons rising up from the flat plain; awesome! [Roger]
7/6/26Reply
4 likes