Why Continuing with Travel Plans in the Age of COVID-19 is Important

Why Continuing with Travel Plans in the Age of COVID-19 is Important

By Jan Smith

Colorful Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park

Our July 2020 plans were set, and the itinerary was finalized. We were ready for a road trip to Big Sky, Montana, for a family celebration and much-needed reunion. A familiar ping on my laptop indicated an incoming email. The wedding that was became the wedding that wasn't. Due to the concerns of the pandemic, the bride and groom decided to halt their nuptials.

The entire family begged to still go on the road trip. Everyone desired to get away and regain some normalcy after months in quarantine. According to the AAA, “Car trips reign supreme accounting for 97% of the favored mode of transportation since the pandemic began in March.” We traveled over 1,600 miles each way through seven states (California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana). Road trips offer a chance to be with family and accumulate experiences and memories. This trip overflowed with both.

As we drove north from Las Vegas, we entered one of the West's most beautiful highway driving experiences. The Virgin River Gorge twists through the towering multicolored sandstone and limestone cliffs for 14 miles. The river accompanies the road throughout this stretch of the highway.

Our standard road trip itinerary doesn’t always allow for spontaneous stops. Over time, we have learned to plan time for exploration. We stopped to check out the contemporary white The Creamery. Its legacy began in 1952 when local farmers built a plant to supply cheese to the local community. Today, The Creamery offers all things dairy, including freshly made cheese and ice-cream. It is a respite for weary drivers on the I-15 highway. Ample and clean restrooms (a must during the pandemic) are available.

With an overnight stay in Idaho, we started early the next morning headed towards Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Jackson Hole is a busy tourism town with boutique hotels, restaurants, tee-shirt outlets, rock stores, and other tchotchke shops lining both sides of the main street. The town is a gateway to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National parks.

Grand Teton National Park

Our first stop at Grand Teton National Park was Taggart Lake (one of six glacial lakes in the park), just miles from the park’s southern Moose Entrance Station. A well-groomed footpath offers a tranquil walk alongside creeks and waterfalls, aspen meadows, pine forests, and eventually a view of the crystal waters of Taggard Lake. The lake is painted with reflections of the towering and snowcapped Grand Teton, Middle Teton, Garnet Canyon, Mt. Owen, and Teewinot Mountains.

Park

We were surprised there was a wait at the entrance to Yellowstone National Park. The park ranger shared it has been a banner month for tourism. Otherworldly is how the National park Foundation describes Yellowstone National Park. It could not be more fitting to describe the scenery. Hydrothermal pools, geysers, wildlife, rivers, waterfalls are spotted throughout the park.

The following are a few experiences we recommend:

The iconic Grand Prismatic Spring and pools at the Midway Geyser Basin are magnificent. A large geyser is present at the entrance to the boardwalk. At first glance, you’ll think it’s a pristine alpine lake until you see the boiling water. Beyond the geyser, the boardwalk winds around numerous hydrothermal pools. A scent of sulfur floats in the air. The Grand Prismatic Spring is filled with thermophiles microorganisms that create extensive bands of brilliant rainbow colors. No picture will do it justice, you’ll just have to see this natural wonder in person! A short drive from the Grand Prismatic Spring is the Fountain Paint Pots and geysers. This area does not offer the brilliant colors of the Grand Prismatic Spring. It is more barren and Mars-like. However, it is the first time experiencing mud boil from the ground. Steam floats in the air and is warm to the skin. As we walked around the half-mile loop, we observed frequently erupting geysers, hot springs, boiling and bubbling mud, and fumaroles (an opening in the ground which emits steam and sulfurous gases). There is thermal activity on each side of the boardwalk. We found ourselves pivoting left and right not to miss anything. It’s a reminder that Yellowstone National Park is still an active volcano region.

Gibbons Waterfall is one of 45 waterfalls in Yellowstone

Yellowstone National

National Park and is accessed on the Grand Loop. A parking area with a paved path provides an excellent vantage point to see the cascading falls and valley below.

Old Faithful is worthy of a visit because of its legacy; it was the first geyser to be named at the park. After visiting the Grand Prismatic Spring and Fountain Paint Pots, Old Faithful was less impressive. The geyser erupts approximately every 90 minutes, so timing is critical if you have a

Photos (L-R): Towering geysers at Painted Pots;Pristine Painted Pots pools of azure blue water; Steam rises from Grand Prismatic Spring; Iconic Old Faithful geyser in its glory. All photos taken in Yellowstone National Park.

full day planned for the park. The geyser teases with several steam spouts before rumbling underfoot, signaling it’s time to erupt.

Big Sky, Montana

Our home base in Big Sky for the week was located in the Big Sky Town Center. We rented a spotless and well-appointed condo through Beehive Property Management. The property was walking distance to the Town Center (restaurants, retail, and services), and the Ousel Falls (a five-minute drive). The 1.6-mile roundtrip trail follows the Gatlin River, surrounded by towering cliffs and pines.

We decided to uniquely experience Big Sky by horseback using Jakes Horses. The tour

Taggard Lake Trail, Grand Teton National Park

crossed a flowing river before ascending the foothills of Big Sky. The Town Center and surrounding city appeared as a small dot in the expansive landscape from a vista at the ride's highest point.

The Soldier’s Chapel, a Big Sky landmark since the mid-1950s, is a quick but worthy visit. The chapel was built by the local Story family as a memorial to WWII veterans. The lengthy driveway proudly displays American flags. A backdrop of the iconic snow-capped Loan Peak appears beyond the chapel. Inside, a massive window frames the same spectacular view. The intimate chapel welcomes visitors and holds multidenominational services each Sunday. Big Sky is an outdoorsman’s dream vacation. There is so much to do, and with its close proximity to Yellowstone National Park, Big Sky will certainly be on our list to revisit.

As with all vacations, the return home is with sweet sorrow. This trip was different. We knew returning to our respective homes meant entering into an altered quarantine environment and only connecting virtually with our family. Continuing with travel plans during the age of COVID-19 is essential. We felt fortunate to travel through many states where contributing to the local tourism economy is vital.

Photos (L-R): Powerful Gibbon waterfall along the Grand Loop at Yellowstone National Park; Exploring mountain trails on horseback in Big Sky, Montana; Rustic bridge crossing on the Taggard Lake Train, Grand Teton National Park; 4. Moonscape view at the Painted Pots, Yellowstone National Park