Notes from Vacation

We’re back from our trip to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, the second of what promise to be yearly excursions to national parks with our extended families. I don’t want this to be a “what I did on my summer vacation” essay, though, so I’ll constrain myself to a few observations that may be of general interest.

• If you take a three-year-old and a five-year-old on a hike, you obviate the need for whistles or bells to keep the bears away.
• Budget Rent A Car considers same-sex partners the same as legal spouses, so you can add your partner as a second driver for no extra charge. The agent we spoke with at the counter in Salt Lake City was clueless about how to enter this into the system, but not hostile, and his supervisor soon helped him put one name in under “Spouse.” (Avis also allows partners to drive free. Hertz, however, only allows free spouses or partners for Hertz Number One Club, Number One Club Gold, or Platinum members, unless the rentals originate in California, Nevada, or New York, in which case legal spouses (but not partners) are allowed for all renters. Got that?)
• For all of you dykes on bikes with tykes, the second week of August is a good time to visit Yellowstone. It’s just after the big Sturgis motorcycle rally, and a lot of bikers come through the park afterwards. They seem like a mostly straight bunch, but there’s lots of chrome around to admire, if that’s your thing. I think I saw more leather than Polarfleece last week.
• If you have a child 5 to 12 years old, he or she may enjoy the Junior Ranger program at many of the National Parks, Monuments, and Sites. Stop at a Visitor Center and pick up the age-appropriate activity guide (5 to 7 or 8 to 12), then have your child complete it and stop back for a Junior Ranger patch presented by a real ranger. Children younger than five can sometimes get a simple animal list to check off and present for a sticker. There’s also an online Web Ranger program to teach kids about our national parks, historic sites, and natural resources.
• Travel safety tip: If you have small children, bring along a handful of outlet covers for use in hotel rooms and cabins. You can also use a small roll of electrical tape, which can pull double duty as an all-purpose patch and adhesive.