Yellowstone

YELLOWSTONE:

Yellowstone National Park Entrance Sign

After driving for what seemed like forever through Wyoming, especially to my six year old, we made it to Yellowstone National Park!

Just inside the park

Just inside the southern entrance to the park you find yourself driving along the Lewis River. There are quite a few picturesque spots along the roadside.

Historic yellow Busses Following the Historic Yellow Busses Bus pulled up at Hotel in Mammoth Hot Springs

We got behind the Historic Yellow Busses that can be seen cruising around Yellowstone. Surely they are replicas as the originals were retired according to the Yellowstone National Park website. Regardless, they seemed pretty neat!

Danger: Do Not Approach Wildlife.

The sign reads: Danger - Do not approach wildlife. The wildlife made this very difficult as they did not seem to care about us and were, very often, close to walkways and entrances. (Photo taken in Mammoth Hot Springs)

Madison River with small mountain in background Madison River and surrounding scenery Madison River with background forest

Our first night, we camped at the Madison Campground along the Madison River. We were able to make a reservation at the campground and since we had a long drive, reservations seemed the way to go. The next couple days, we flew by the seat of our pants and got up each morning and played campground lotto where we drove to a different campground, early in the morning, and reserved the next night's stay on a first come first served basis.

Splashing around in the Madison River Water was a bit colder then expected This is as close to swimming as it got

Two of my boys decided they'd try to take a dip in the Madison River along Madison Campground along the West Entrance to the park. Their ambitions proved to be warmer than the water.

Beanie Head: Straight On Beanie Head: A Side View

We, for the most part, hammocked every evening while we were in Yellowstone National Park. I often find hammocking a lot more forgiving as far as site location goes and a night's rest goes. The nights did get cool, so a beanie was a nice addition to the sleeping bag in an effort to stay warm. However, the beanie doesn't do much for the morning hair-do.

Old Faithful Education Center Sign Old Faithful Inn The anticipation is building ...and we wait Old Faithful *** Old Faithful VIDEO here!***

Old Faithful was pretty neat but not nearly as neat as some of the other, less predictable geysers. We got here early to get a good spot. This was a great idea as far as seating goes, but not such a great idea with an antsy six year old; but he survived. There is so much to see and do in Yellowstone National Park. We were right next to to the Old Faithful Inn and we did not even stop in. Guess I will have to save that for trip #2! Next time, I'm thinking of going up on the cliff behind the geyser for a different view of the action!

Let's Go!

Not sure where this guy goes, but I think I want to join him on a trip!

Sapphire Pool *** Very short VIDEO clip ***

This water, to put it simply, looked amazing and painstakingly refreshing.

Bubbler Geyser *** Very short VIDEO clip *** *** Longer VIDEO clip ***

No, a bubbler is not the correct terminology for this little guy, but I like it! There are many of these around. Try not to think too hard about why they exist. You'll sleep a lot easier! ;-)

Roosevelt Arch North Entrance

Roosevelt Arch was completed 15 August 1903. The inscription along the top reads: For the benefit and enjoyment of the people. Read more about the Roosevelt Arch here.

According to YellowstonePark: "Around 50 million years ago, scientists say this area of the park was flourishing with tall redwood trees, maples, magnolias, oaks, dogwoods, and pines when volcanic eruptions from the nearby Absaroka Mountain range buried the forest in ash."

Tower Fall Tower Fall Yellowstone River

Tower Fall and the Yellowstone River are nice roadside attractions along Grand Loop Road. Sp much geological history!

Yellowstone Countryside

Everywhere you look, around every corner, is another amazing view of the Yellowstone Countryside!

Our newest Park Ranger

There are plenty of things for the youth to do at Yellowstone. Meet our newest Park Ranger!

Fire Dangers!

Not all is fun and games and beautiful scenery as was clear when a fire broke out just North East of Mammoth Springs while we were visiting.

Bison looking majestic on the range Bison along Northeast Entrance Road Why did the Bison cross the road? Steaming Bison

The Bison are very numerous these days in Yellowstone National Park; especially along the Northeast Entrance Road. Definitely watch your speed as you travel through the area as they are VERY often in the road. I'm thinking hitting them would make the the beginnings of a bad day. See the "steam" coming off of the Bison in the morning's sun? For more information on the Bison in the park, go to NPS.gov.

Bighorn Sheep

The Bighorn sheep are a little tough to find, at least compared to the Bison and the Elk, but they are there. Keep your eyes on the lookout. This is about as good as my iPhone would do. I'll be better prepared the next time! For more information on Yellowstone's Bighorn sheep population, go to NPS.gov.

Upper Falls taken from Lower Falls A view looking upstream on the Yellowstone River Another view looking upstream on the Yellowstone River Looking over Lower falls and downstream on the Yellowstone River

I could easily spend an entire weekend simply photographing the Upper and Lower Falls on the Yellowstone River. Next time, I just may since I now have a camera other than the one on an iPhone.

Elk Lakeside Elk grazing along Yellowstone Lake Elk grazing along Yellowstone Lake *** See VIDEO clip ***

On the drive out along Highway 20 we got one last look at an Elk grazing along side Yellowstone Lake. He wasn't shy at all.