Our 2nd day in this park, and we started out early... so early, that Matt still had not put on his shoes when we saw our first bison of the day munching on his breakfast. Actually, Matt didn't want to put his shoes on any time he was in the car - something brought up every time we stopped.
This family of deer was out grazing on this little island in the river, which was great until they started to head off toward the folks on the shore. The folks start running toward the deer, like they are going to pet them or something! It was neat that we saw them, but who knew what would happen if someone got too close.
Jacob and Kevin showing off all their handsomeness.
We drove up the road toward a geyser basin, and made a bathroom pitstop. Right there, hanging out with us, was another family of deer. By the time we left, more folks coming up to see how close they could get. Close is great, folks, but not when the momma gets defensive! This is like an enormous living museum - look, but don't touch! Stupid people. (Man, do I sound like my mother?)
Continuing on up the road, we are heavy into geyser country now. It was neat to look out and see steam rising from multiple points on the horizon, wherever you looked. Even neater was no fences or rails or man-made structures - just wide open spaces.
Old Faithful was one of the reasons we came all this way, so we definately had to stop. Fortunately for us, we found a close parking spot, we didn't have to wait too long, and we found these perfect seats. None of that sitting out in the open under the hot sun for us, the Old Faithful Inn had rocking chairs on the porch, in the shade, just waiting for us. Very neat to sit there and soak in all the history around us while watching the most famous sight around.
We continued on to Yellowstone Lake, a ginormous body of water, the largest alpine lake in North America.
Further up the road, we run into a traffic jam. I was suprised that while we saw folks, it wasn't jam packed like I expected. Of course, jam packed to me is not being able to move through crowds at Disneyland. Hundreds of square miles here means everyone was spread out more! Anyway, we had learned by this time that if you run into cars that are stopped on the road, some type of wildlife is nearby. But we couldnt see anything here for awhile.
Jacob had sprained his ankle by this point, but he was a trooper and walked around as much as he could to see things. Some areas allowed you to walk around by the geysers, and were only marked by rocks and a small warning sign.
Old Faithful was one of the reasons we came all this way, so we definately had to stop. Fortunately for us, we found a close parking spot, we didn't have to wait too long, and we found these perfect seats. None of that sitting out in the open under the hot sun for us, the Old Faithful Inn had rocking chairs on the porch, in the shade, just waiting for us. Very neat to sit there and soak in all the history around us while watching the most famous sight around.
We continued on to Yellowstone Lake, a ginormous body of water, the largest alpine lake in North America.
Further up the road, we run into a traffic jam. I was suprised that while we saw folks, it wasn't jam packed like I expected. Of course, jam packed to me is not being able to move through crowds at Disneyland. Hundreds of square miles here means everyone was spread out more! Anyway, we had learned by this time that if you run into cars that are stopped on the road, some type of wildlife is nearby. But we couldnt see anything here for awhile.Turns out it was a large herd of bison that were on the side of the road. Both sides of the road. And in the road. Rangers were there as well, mostly making sure the citi-fied crowds didn't get too close. These things were the size of a small car! We had plenty of opportunity to take pictures and hear them breathing through the car windows. We waited for some to pass, a car or two would drive thorugh, then more came across the road... all over the space of a half hour or so.
Another highlight of the day was the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. We parked and hiked along this little trail right along the rim of the canyon, looking straight down hundreds (thousands) of feet. An absolutely gorgeous site, and sight, but not one I felt that any of us needed to experience any closer than that.
We finally headed back toward the hotel, having driven for miles, and having soaked in a ton of scenery. I really wanted to dip my toes in a river, but we still had road construction to get through before dinner. That evening we cruised through the little town of West Yellowstone and had a meal of BBQ pulled pork sandwiches.
We finally headed back toward the hotel, having driven for miles, and having soaked in a ton of scenery. I really wanted to dip my toes in a river, but we still had road construction to get through before dinner. That evening we cruised through the little town of West Yellowstone and had a meal of BBQ pulled pork sandwiches.
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