YELLOWSTONE - DAY 2

In spite of the distances, we were determined to see the east and north sides of Yellowstone today.

Up and out early meant seeing bison before we ever got to Yellowstone,

Lots of snow but the roads were clear.

This is not a cloud. It is smoke from the fire that closed the South Entrance for several days.

More and bigger.

 Yellowstone Lake with snow covered peaks.

A lot had melted by the time we got there.

Mammoth Hot Springs was another place I really wanted to show Carol. I remember massive multi colored terraces covered with flowing water.

Seismic activity and changing water levels have caused most of them to dry up. A few remain but the color is washed out even on those.

 And we'd driven half the day just to see them.


But we were compensated in other ways. This is the front lawn of the Reamer House, a private residence right in the middle of the tourist area. Yes, those are female elk with yearlings.

Sorry about the butt view, but this was the biggest set of horns we'd ever seen on a big horn sheep.

Tower Falls.

Tower Falls Canyon.

The rock formations left from the volcanic era are fascinating.

These vertical columns that look like a picket fence are the same formation from which the Devil's Tower was formed, just on a much smaller scale.

 3/8 of a mile. Let's go, it can't be THAT bad. It's only 3/8 of a mile.
 

Going down didn't seem so bad. But why do all those people coming back up look so miserable. Boy, they must really be out of shape. I guess that's why they put benches at almost every switchback.

The "view" doesn't explain why the walk was worth it. It's more the "experience" of standing right at the brink and feeling and hearing the power.

 All too soon we decided it was time to walk back up. I really didn't think I could be so out of breath in such a short time. We sat on almost every one of those benches. Who knew 8000' was high enough to make such a difference? And that MUST be it because we couldn't possibly be THIS out of shape.

We were glad we did it.

We were very glad it was over.


More views of the canyon.

 Momma and baby.

After that hike we were ready to go home. But we had forgotten that the Mud Volcanoes and Sulphur Pots were on the way out of the park.

Oh, by the way - spell check says I spelled "sulphur" wrong. When my mother returned to teaching in 1957 after a 20 year hiatus she said, "What the heck do you mean it's 'sulfur'?  I guess I'll start spelling 'enough' as 'enuf.' "

Anyway, fascinating stinky place.
 

 The brochure says it's sulfuric acid just slightly less Ph than battery acid.

I guess this bird can't read the signs.

Back at Yellowstone Lake at sunset.

 The moon over Shoshone Canyon as we return to the Airstream.

God is good. every day.