And visitation is anticipated to continue to increase through the summer as the National Park Service is offering 3 FEE – FREE visitation weekends in Yellowstone and other National Parks!  The Fee – Free weekends for Yellowstone are:

• June 20-21
• July 18-19
• August 15-16

Last month, the Yellowstone Association had a grand opening of their new headquarters.  The Association refurbished the building that was originally the town merchantile in the late 1800′s.  The entrepreneurwho built and owned the merchantile, also built for his family the house that is now known as Yellowstone Suites B&B.  I had the priviledge of meeting WA Hall’s extended family and gave tours of the house to his great great grandchildren.  The family shared many stories about the house and the town, including confirming the folklore that the 2nd story rock used to build the house was indeed leftover rock from the Roosevelt Arch.  I hope to continue a relationship with the Hall family and continue to learn more about this old stone house in Gardiner, MT.

Lastly, on an afternoon drive through the Lamar Valley yesterday, I was fortunate enough to encounter two black bear sightings, one was a sow and her two cubs born just this spring.  And I got some amazing pictures.  If anyone is looking for a good, simple to use camera, I highly recommend the Nikon D90.  More photos of my bear encounter as well as the B&B and the seasons of Yellowstone, can be found on the photo gallery tab at www.yellowstonesuites.com.