Well what a wild ride so far.
Monday we got to Cody, took it easy. I went and got a bottle of Single Track Rye per Pato's rec. Kids played at a park, we walked the main street and had lunch before checking into our rental and getting supplies and groceries. I took my oldest to the rodeo and wife and youngest stayed home.
Today we left just after 6am and headed to the east gate. Silbey pass may be the most daunting thing I've ever driven. But, we made it in and shortly after getting to end of the descent and circling the lake we saw a grizzly digging for grubs or something. From there it was just a ridiculous day. We stuck to the lower loop and stopped at all the big sites, looked around, hiked. Grand Prismatic from above is the highlight for me. The only thing we missed was Mud Volcano, but we are getting up earlier tomorrow and going to the north end of the Hayden Valley, taking our time to come south before our fishing trip at 10am.
For veterans of Yellowstone like Pato and others... here's my question about 14 going east to Sheridan (not 14a). Is that stretch more or less challenging than the east gate from entrance to the bridge? I am not a huge fan of mountain driving and it really racks my anxiety, but I've got my playlist that I use for those times and am beginning to find ways to just deal with it.