After a fun night out at the club, we didn’t stay out too late and woke up early the next day. After I Woke up, snapping some photos of the stunning views from our room at the Flamingo that I missed capturing yesterday. It’s incredible that we managed to get such an affordable room with these views—I feel so lucky!
Yellowstone Bound
Today is the first day of our Yellowstone adventure. We caught an early flight to Yellowstone Airport, and immediately, the vibe changed. Coming from the bustling energy of Vegas to the peaceful wilderness. The airport had this warm, rustic wooden feel to it. Feeling a bit hungry, I grabbed a cookie cup, which was overwhelmingly sweet—seriously, the sugar intake in America is wild!
We didn’t pre-book our rental car, so we spent some time at the airport comparing companies. Fun fact: Alamo, Enterprise, and another company (whose name I can’t recall) are all essentially the same company but offer different car models. Alamo’s cars had higher mileage but were the cheapest option, so we went with that and rented a 4Runner, which felt powerful and reliable.
Taking It Slow
Still feeling a bit shaken from the recent car accident, we took things slow today. We familiarized ourselves with the car by driving around a bit and then enjoyed a delicious Thai meal—spicy, sweet, and sour, just like how Thai food should be! We’ve got this little routine now where we each pick our favorite dish after every meal, which makes the dining experience even more fun and reflective.
The Beauty of Yellowstone
After lunch, we hit the road. The scenery along the way to Yellowstone was absolutely breathtaking—clean air, wide open spaces, and the peacefulness of it all. I was still a little nervous behind the wheel, so I didn’t drive fast, but that slow pace allowed us to take in the surroundings even more.
When we finally reached the entrance to Yellowstone, it felt like arriving in a quiet little town, a stark contrast to the wide-open spaces we’d been driving through. The sight of the Yellowstone sign brought this incredible sense of accomplishment and excitement. We spent way more time here than planned, taking photos and just soaking in the moment. I love how our group is so chill and happy to go with the flow—we really take the time to appreciate every stop, even the unexpected ones.
First Stop: Devil’s Thumb
Our first stop inside the park was Devil’s Thumb. The colors of this geological wonder are unlike anything I’ve ever seen—rich oranges, yellows, and whites created by mineral deposits from geothermal activity. Walking closer and looking back gives you the best view of its colorful layers. ChatGPT gave us an interesting tidbit: the colors come from the deposition of minerals like sulfur and oxides, along with bacteria and algae that thrive in the high-temperature environment. It’s a paradise for geology lovers and photographers alike.
Even though it was already 8:30 PM, we had the advantage of Yellowstone’s long daylight hours, thanks to its high latitude. That gave us plenty of time to enjoy the beauty of Devil’s Thumb before heading out for the night.
Settling Down for the Night
After exploring, we headed to West Yellowstone to get some dinner and settle into our cabin for the night. We stopped by Market Place for some microwave meals and grabbed some takeout from a Chinese restaurant called Hong Lian Hua just before they closed. We also picked up gin and tonic from the local bar to unwind.
That night, we ate, played Take 6, and drank until the first person passed out—no surprise, it was Happy, who’s not the best at games, haha!
This day was the perfect balance of slow, mindful travel and exciting new discoveries. From the peacefulness of Yellowstone to the fun moments shared with friends.
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