Yellowstone National Park

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Yellowstone


So after Glacier we took our time getting down to Yellowstone stopping to stock up in 
Great Falls and Helena Montana



We purposely planned to be here in September so as to miss the busy summer season with the huge crowds  and all the traffic backups.  Unfortunately, after just 10 minutes in the park we got caught in a Buffalo Jam (bison standing in the middle of the road) and spent the next 40 minutes sitting and waiting for a couple of bison that were a couple of miles down the road,.... and we even didn't get to see, to move out of the road.



With a buffalo jam you can't be in a hurry because the bison are not afraid of cars, you just have to wait until there is a meeting of the minds and the bison move off.



You have to pay attention with the buffalo as they can walk out in the road at any time.
We almost got caught in another buffalo jam one morning with the bison coming out of the fog.



Early morning is the best time to see the wildlife but you have to get up and out early



And the sunrises are beautiful


Getting an early start also gets you out there before the tour buses and large crowds spook the animals

This guy was out by the lake loudly bugling at 7:15 one morning, echoing through the forest. 


Then a tour bus pulled up and as the crowd descended the bugling stopped and the herd 
disappeared into the forest.

Compared to other national parks like Glacier, Yellowstone is huge. 
The best way to see it is to do a different area each day.

The Lamar Valley is in the NE part of the park, it's miles and miles of wide open valley with a river running through it and is known for its many bison and wolves.




We did not see any wolves but we did see this lone Coyote




We got stuck on a bridge for a while when this guy and a couple dozen of his friends decided they were going to cross the bridge while we were on it. 


Lets just say it was a little...unsettling as we could feel the steel and concrete bridge bouncing 
as these huge animals charged by, just a few feet away. 


Wildlife is everywhere if you just slow down and take the time to look.




We saw this guy early one morning while he still had frost from over night on his coat


Of course, no visit to Yellowstone would be complete without seeing the thermals and geysers.
While there are thermals throughout the park, the largest and most extensive collection of geysers are at the west side  in the Old Faithful geyser basin. 




Old Faithful




Old Faithful Lodge



We also got out in the back country and hiked quite a bit taking our backpack, bear bells and 
bear spray but we never did see any bears.




For any of you reading this who also have "The Spirit of Adventure"....
Yellowstone should be on your bucket list.
We were here in 2008 and we are glad we came back

Although our days started out with a jacket and scraping the thin coating of ice from the windshield, every day here was an adventure.

You've gotta get out there!!!



Make Every Day a Great Day!!!



























































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