Perfect Summer Day in Yellowstone

June 24-25, 2018
Island Park, Idaho

Sunday morning the rain has moved out, and we're back on the road. 10 miles from our destination we spend 30 minutes stopped for road construction. It's not so bad when you have your own kitchen and bathroom - and the people a few vehicles ahead are on the road dancing :-)

Beautiful views for a slow drive.

We get set up at Henry's Lake State Park with stunning, peaceful views. This is one of the most beautiful places we've stayed in a long time.

I love being able to keep the front blinds open all evening!

How do they balance???

Henry's Lake

With it staying light so much later we're able to take a drive into the mountains. We cross into Montana and visit two small hidden lakes - Wade and Cliff. Spring-fed, these are beautiful crystal gems in the forest.

Two years ago we drove the eastern edge of Yellowstone and have been looking forward to seeing more of the park. Monday morning we head to West Yellowstone where we join three lines of cars. Throughout the day we find ourselves in line a few times, but mostly we're happy to find less crowds than expected.

Oh dear......

The Madison River is full to its banks. 

Momma Elk and her baby graze across the river.

Firehole Falls

Lone Bison along a small side road.

We catch sight of a single wolf along the road, but can't stop in time to take a photo. We've now seen four of the big five, missing only seeing a Moose! 

A raised boardwalk at Lower Geyser Basin takes us through several unique geothermal sites. The multiple colors are fascinating, as are the bubbling and gushing hot mud, and the shooting geysers. 

Several feet above the hole, you can still feel the heat on the boardwalk.

Such a lovely name.

Leather Pool

Hope it's not still attached!

Fountain Mud Pots

Red Spouter

Jet Geyser

Another small loop road passes more geothermic spots. Only two other vehicles join us here.

Deep, clear and so colorful.

A pallet of hot mineral water.

In the distance we spot these huge birds. Bill corrects my assumption that they're deer with the binoculars. Have no idea what they are.

Back on the main road we drive along the Firehole River. The pull out for the Flood Geyser is empty and the views of distant geysers is beautiful.

I'm so mesmerized by the beauty of the river and the sweeping hill above, Bill has to point out the blue of the steam.

Kepler Cascades

With so much water, the roar of the falls is very loud!

This gentle elk cow walks across the road beside us then walks slowly to the water's edge.

She calmly enters the shallow water. Beautiful.

A small finger of land splits the blue waters of Lake Yellowstone. 

Past the lake, this lovely view says "Yellowstone" to me.

I spot two Bison on the distant hillside who look like they're going to come down to the river, so we wait and watch.

Sure enough, they enter the water.

Watching these powerful animals swim across the river is the highlight of the day! I take a video but it's blurry. 

Further down the road they join a small herd.

Old Faithful is a huge commercial area. The walkway up to the famous geyser and those surrounding it are lined with people (not surprising). But we find a small market/snack bar with plenty of parking and very few people. A great spot for an ice cream break! Bill has seen Old Faithful when he was a kid, and I have no desire to join the horde. So we continue on.

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and Artist's Point area is like a whole new park. Lots of people here, but still we find parking in both lots. 

The canyon is grand indeed!

Wow!

Upper Falls

The stairs along Lower Falls give different views.

The water rushes over the top.

Mist at the bottom provides a nearly permanent rainbow.

Powerful, loud, amazing.

On the way out of the park we take a couple more small side roads, seeing still more wildlife and beauty.

A camera shy fluffy fox.

A couple shiny elk.

Young, handsome bull.

Another wading elk cow.

It was a perfect day at Yellowstone, and in a few days we get to see even more!