Yellowstone & Beyond

This is the last part of our trip to Yellowstone. It features our last two days in the park and our adventure on the Beartooth Highway, one of the most scenic roads in the country.

The bison calves melted my heart. So cute.

The following pictures are from the Beartooth Highway..

We found some snow.

The road stopped at this point because of the snow still on the mountains at higher elevations.

Twisting up and up and up..

The mountains broke and the view of the wild west plains came into view. Now we're back to Yellowstone..

My sister & I joked the whole trip that we just needed to see a group of bison forge a river at sunrise and our trip would be complete. Well, our wish was granted, but instead of sunrise, we got a snowstorm. Watching a herd of bison cross a river above their heads, in the snow, complete with new little calves, was one of the coolest things I've ever seen. 

The adult bison cross in a line upriver to the calves so they have an easier time crossing. 

We left Yellowstone in a snowstorm..

..and entered Idaho an hour later in sunshine.

We stopped by the Golden Spike Monument in Utah. In between those engines is where the spike to complete the continental railroad was driven into the ground.

..and then I flew home to start up a wonderful summer at camp.
Hope y'all enjoyed. It was a fantastic trip.

Wonders of Yellowstone

  I apologize about my lack of swiftness in getting these up.. but quality over quick, right? If you missed the first part of my adventure in Yellowstone, check it out. :)

 Little sister, shootin' away.

 

 My sister Danielle & I were really excited about going in June because it meant the possibility of seeing bison calves. We lucked out and saw plenty! Aren't they cute? 

Boiling mud pots splattering makes for a really interesting subject matter.

 The rush of water at Yellowstone Falls (same one as the first photo on this post).

 Mammoth Hot Springs.

 Yellowstone: For the benefit and enjoyment of the people.

 When researching the park prior to going, we read all about these bison traffic jams that occurred quite frequently. We were pretty amused and seriously doubted they were that big of a problem in the park. Well.. one day we were driving along and there was a herd of bison, just waltzing down the road! Behind them was a long line of cars, unable to pass because of the size of the herd. What a place!

 We saw a bear! I was very glad that it was far away from our campground. :)

 We also saw a Momma bear and her two cubs! See him up in the tree? 

 A close-up of a buffalo that was chilling a few feet from our car. 

 Old Faithful!

 In the 80's there was a very big fire that swept through Yellowstone and burned a third of the park. Much of it is regrowing, but there are still tall pines that stand without life.

 The Tetons, just visible over Yellowstone Lake & the foothills of Yellowstone.

This was the view from our campsite.

Camping and exploring in Yellowstone? Phenomenal. What an amazing, creative, and diverse national park it is! Our adventure continued next with Montana.. :)