Autumn Wedding In Yellowstone Would Be Memorable Experience

Q: My fiance and I want a very small, autumn wedding near or in Yellowstone National Park. Our attendants are our best friends, who introduced us to each other. Our honeymoon and their second wedding anniversary will be spent in Yellowstone. Do we need a special permit to get married in the park? If it is a government red tape hassle for the permit, we’d prefer a nice chapel in a neighboring town. Any suggestions? - T.T. and M.J., Moscow, Idaho.

A: You do need a permit to get married in Yellowstone National Park, regardless of location or party size. There is a chapel permit application to use the Mammoth Hot Springs Chapel and a different wedding permit application to get married anywhere else in the park. The wedding permit is $25.

I am familiar with the Canyon Wedding Chapel (800-823-2681 or 406-446-2681) in Red Lodge, Mont., which is about 65 miles from the northeast park entrance near Cooke City, via the Beartooth Scenic Highway (U.S. 212). The full-service chapel provides a lovely, romantic setting in a beautiful gazebo or by Rock Creek. Charges start at $100 for reserved use of the facilities for up to 90 minutes. Invitations, photographs, lodging and catering can be arranged. Non-residents can easily obtain their marriage license at the Carbon County Courthouse (406-446-1225) in Red Lodge during normal weekday business hours. Bring your blood test results.

Information Sources:

For wedding permits and general park information: Yellowstone National Park Visitor Services, P.O. Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190; (307) 344-7381.

For park lodging and tours: TW Recreational Services, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82109; (307) 344-7311.

For an informational booklet on Montana’s Yellowstone Country: Yellowstone Country, P.O. Box 1107, Red Lodge, MT 59068; (800) 736-5276 or (406) 446-1005.

For general Montana vacation information: Travel Montana, (800) VISIT MT.

Q: We are looking for a quiet, rural guest ranch or B&B in southeast British Columbia. We’d like to hike, wildlife watch and just plain relax in a mountain setting. - A.K., Coeur d’Alene.

A: I am familiar with an exceptional guest ranch near Kimberley. The Wild Rose Ranch & Resort (604-422-3403) offers a friendly ambience in its cedar-log lodge (only four guest rooms) and superb meals around the family table. The ranch is located near a wildlife refuge and has its own 40-acre waterfowl sanctuary and natural trout fishery. Off-the-beaten-path hot springs for soothing soaks and small lakes for swimming are nearby.

Mainstream tourist attractions in the valley include Kimberley’s Bavarian-themed downtown, Fort Steele Heritage Town, Radium and Fairmont Hot Springs Resorts and many provincial parks. Popular valley recreational activities are golfing, rafting, canoeing, fishing, hiking and biking.

The B&B rate is about $61 (U.S. dollar equivalent) for a couple per night. The Ranch Package includes accommodations, three meals, afternoon hors d’oeuvres, wine with supper, airport transportation and ranch activities. The summer rate is in effect until Oct. 9 and is about $97 (U.S. dollar equivalent) per person per day. A minimum of a two-day stay is required. Special fly-fishing and cattle drive packages are available.

Information Sources:

For general visitor information on British Columbia’s East Kootenay region: Rocky Mountain Visitors Association, (604) 427-4838.

Q: Members of our family are amateur rockhounds. Our camping vacations are planned to explore public gem and mineral sites. We are new to the Northwest and have already visited several Montana locations for agate, sapphires and crystals. We’re looking for new places in Idaho, Washington and Oregon. Can you suggest some public rockhounding sites? - B.B., Missoula, Mont.

A: Rockhounding is a favorite family-fun pastime of residents and visitors to the Northwest. Here are some suggestions.

Idaho’s garnets can be found at the Emerald Creek Recreation Area near St. Maries. A pamphlet detailing location, restrictions, costs and camping is available from the St. Maries Ranger District. (208) 245-2531.

Washington’s petrified wood can be dug and gathered at the Saddle Mountains near Mattawa. Information on current restrictions and maps is available from the Wenatchee BLM office (509-665-2100) or the Spokane office of the Bureau of Mines (509-484-1610). When rockhounding at the Saddle Mountains, I’d recommend a visit to the Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park (509-856-2700) in Vantage. The visitor center houses over 50 varieties of cut and polished sections of petrified wood.

A free pamphlet titled “Oregon Heritage: Thundereggs,” which lists nine digging locations, is available from the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries. (503) 731-4100.

I’d recommend purchasing the popular “Atlas & Gazetteer” series for the respective states. The collection of topographical maps will help you navigate on secondary highways and forest roads. The booklet lists state and federal agency campgrounds and highlights various recreational opportunities in each state, including rockhounding locations. It is available at most bookstores.

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