More Yellowstone!

June 28-29, 2018
Livingston, Montana

Thursday morning we head south on Hwy 89, through a beautiful valley and the small town of Gardiner, Montana. We're going to see more of Yellowstone National Park!

I look past a handful of people with binoculars, and see this huge nursery herd of Elk. Before we get to Yellowstone, it's already a great day!

All cows and calves. The herd is beyond the ranch, in open space along the river.

Such cuties!

Only a few cars in line when we arrive at the entrance. After climbing to the park administration village (this is a huge operation!), we find the parking area for Mammoth Hot Springs completely full.

Fortunately there is Upper Terrace Road which gives us a wonderful view of this unique geothermic area. What fun to take our time meandering through all the bubbling formations!

Why the long face?

Delicate antelope at the park entrance.

Wow!

Frosting or snow?

Not far up the road we see a single ranger among the trees. A couple other vehicles have stopped to look. Oh goody - it's a baby Black Bear! We learn from the ranger that he has no mother, he's on his own but doing well. 

He playfully swats at the long grass.

Then he finds a yummy yellow flower to snack on.

There are several side roads, some named, others are a mystery. As in our previous visit we find these off shoots of the main roads have few people, and usually a pit toilet with no lines (valuable intel when spending all day in the park).

A beautiful example of columnar formations - 500, 000 years old.

 

No place else is Yellowstone.

A long stretch of the road between Mammoth and Norris is under construction through summer. We're delayed about 30 minutes, then bounce through dirt, holes and rock. I'm very glad we didn't drive the motorhome this route to Livingstone!

They'll have to hustle to get this all done before Winter.

We make a quick stop at Canyon Village where there are several parking places and no lines. Wonderful! I grab us something to eat, and we're once again on our way. 

Climbing Dunraven Pass (8900 feet) to the base of Mount Washburn (10,243 feet) we see snow ridges along the roadside. I opt not to drive to the top of the mountain on the narrow, shelf road. Surprising, right?

Mount Washburn

These Bighorn Sheep are still shedding their winter coats.

A fuzzy lamb, the exact color of the mountainside.

At Tower-Roosevelt we find yet another new look for the park. Interesting layers and tufts over the Yellowstone River.

With formations on both sides of the river, it's interesting to stand under the tufts.

The Yellowstone River

We only see a couple Bison on this side of the park.

But this single sighting is the highlight of the day - a healthy wolf trotting along the elevated side of the road. 

The loop reconnects to the northern entrance at Mammoth, and we head back to Livingston.

The back of Mammoth Hot Springs.

Livingston is a cute western town. My BFF, Janis, recommends a place to eat in the historic downtown. The Sport is actually the oldest business in Livingston, opened in 1909. The whole street is pulled up, leaving a dusty strip of dirt between the storefronts - I'm sure very much like it looked when the restaurant opened. After dinner, we drive along the river and through Sacajawea Park. 

I'm so glad we were able to see most of Yellowstone, and some day we'll see the last "section" above the Grand Tetons. 

Rather than continuing north to Glacier on Friday, we're making a detour east to Roundup, Montana, to finally see our good high school friend Peggy, and her daughter Kaylee. The last time we were here she hadn't started her new house yet, and last year we were turned back by the fires and smoke. Michelle is also a high school friend who we credit with getting Bill and I back together ten years ago - and she's joining us at Peggy's too!!

Fun times with fun friends is next.