May 28, 2013 Cody, Yellowstone

Tuesday, May 28    On the Road Again

We rose early and left Paul and Sandy’s about 6AM as the two of them were getting ready for work.  Headed toward Yellowstone, which is a lovely drive through canyons and occasional tiny towns like Wapiti -"small town" is just too big a term as many are a tiny post office and 5 or 6 houses! We arrived at the east gate to Yellowstone just after 7AM and the only ranger on duty there waved us through for free since he wasn’t set up yet ($25 – thank you!)

Not long after entering the park we pulled over to take a photo of a water fall (The first of many from the snow run-off) and came upon a herd of big horn sheep!  They were spectacular and two even posed along side the road.

As we climbed into the park there was quite a bit of snow, though all the roads were clear.  Passed some beautiful lakes, but unfortunately the area was pretty devastated by fires in 2003 and 2005 and hasn’t yet recovered.  

 We came to  Yellowstone Lake which is the largest high-altitude lake in North American.  Began seeing bison and many geese.

 Stopped at the visitor’s center and then headed north, seeing a beautiful bull elk,  many bison, including a baby that seemed lost. Stopped at Mud Volcano, an area of great geothermal activity , as is much of Yellowstone.  Took a short walk along the rapids of Yellowstone River.

lower falls

Next stops were at the Upper and Lower Falls on the Yellowstone River.  With all of the snow melt, the waters were thundering and it was magnificent despite the clouds and a bit of rain.  Sky was just totally cloud-filled.

upper falls

Continued to Mammoth Hot Springs, where elk grazed contentedly in a park between the visitor’s center and the post office.  We continued north to the North Exit of the park, stopping for a quick walk at Rescue Flats.  Saw several more elk and pronghorn before bidding farewell to Yellowstone and heading into Montana.

Once we reached Route 90 and headed west and north in Montana, the landscape was very green and large herds of cattle and sheep grazed in lush pastureland (which is irrigated) between green and sometimes snowy mountains.  Crossed the Continental Divide and ran into occasional rain squalls.  Just past Missoula, we turned north and stopped at another Flying J.