A Geek in Yellowstone

Last week, the wife and I took a few days off and journeyed to Yellowstone. Even though it was my first time there, I pretty much figured I would see some really awesome wonders of nature. But what I didn’t expect to see was some great geeky souvenirs.

In one gift shop called Fire Hole Trading Co., I got one of the best Star Wars parody shirts I’ve ever seen. The animals are so well integrated into the artwork from the first movie that people were doing double takes all day while I was wearing it.

Another Star Wars related find was a 30th Anniversary Empire Strikes Back coffee mug at Yellowstone Motorhead — a shop mostly pertaining to bikers, but also with fun retro stuff. I haven’t seen this anywhere! Also, I found it on my birthday and I wanted it. It was my precious. They also had a matching lunchbox and some cool Star Trek tin signs, but my wallet could only take so much.

But as for the trip itself, it was awesome. It was great just to get away and see things I had never seen before. The geysers and mud pots alone were worth the trip and deeply satisfied my geeky scientific curiosity. If you ever get a chance to go, it’s an amazing experience.

I took almost 500 photos on the trip, so I’m still trying to edit them down for a flickr photo album. Here’s just a few more.

The next couple of pics are from the Grizzly Bear and Wolf Discovery Center. Totally worth the money to watch and learn about these animals that had been rescued from dyer circumstances.

And no, I don’t have fat rolls. There’s stuff in my pockets. REALLY. Oh, and if you’re ever in West Yellowstone, be sure and eat at Beartooth Barbecue. It’s run by an Oklahoman and is some of the best BBQ we’ve ever had. Trust me — we ate there 3 times. Hmmm… maybe those are fat rolls…