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On Monday we returned to Yellowstone via the Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway along the Shoshone River which is a very beautiful drive.

Shoshone River, Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway

Shoshone River, Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway

I enjoyed both the river and the very interesting rock formations.

Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway

Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway

Here is a shot of the construction zone I mentioned previously. Apparently they had a bad landslide here a year or so ago and don't expect to finish before the end of next summer.

Construction zone

Here is Sylvan Pass which is closed from early November to early May every year.

Sylvan Pass, Yellowstone

Again we were greeted by a buffalo parade.

Buffalo parade

Here a bull prepares to roll over on its side and back, presumably to take a dust bath or scratch otherwise inaccessible places.

Bull Buffalo

Seeing large herds of buffalo both up close and far away was a very common site on all our visits.

Buffalo herd

Our big dog Tara was especially excited whenever we got an up close look at these magnificent animals.

Tara

This time we drove south from the Fishing Bridge to the West Thumb Geyser Basin.

West Thumb Geyser Basin.

I love these beautiful blue pools of water which are contrasted against other bright colors but usually white.

West Thumb Geyser Basin.

West Thumb Geyser Basin.

West Thumb Geyser Basin.

The colorful mats contain millions of microorganisms that thrive on the temperature and chemicals in these hot springs.

West Thumb Geyser Basin.

West Thumb Geyser Basin.

West Thumb Geyser Basin.

Here is a very interesting truck that we saw in the parking lot.

Odd World Traveled RV

Odd World Traveled RV

Apparently this vehicle has traveled all over the world. There are stickers and text that claim that this person has traveled from the tip of south america to the arctic regions of Alaska and from the northscape of europe to the southscape of Africa in 350 days.

Odd World Traveled RV

It has been all over Europe, the middle east, africa and both North and South America.

Odd World Traveled RV

Next we went to the Upper Geyser Basin and saw Old Faithful in all its glory.

Upper Geyser Basin

The next event is predicted only after each eruption, based on the height and duration. The average Old Faithful interval is now about 92 minutes and the prediction is plus or minus ten minutes.

Geyser Eruption Prediction Board

There are several other large geysers in the area which they make predictions for including the Castle geyser which erupts about every 13 hrs for 50 mins, the Grand geyser which is the tallest predicted geyser, the Daisy geyser which erupts every 2.6 hrs to a height of 70 ft, the Riverside Geyser which goes off about every 6 1/4 hrs for 21 minutes.

Geyser waiting to erupt

The height of the Old Faithful geyser varies between 106 and 184 ft. and lasts for about four minutes.

Old Faithful Plumbing

While we were waiting for the big event I went on a hike around the area while Dayadevi researched the gift shop and watched a film about the geysers. Again we were required to stay on the boardwalks, and the scenery was just fascinating.

Upper Geyser Basin

Here is a small geyser doing its thing.

Small Geyser Erupting

Upper Geyser Basin

This Heart Spring was very beautiful and appropriately named.

Heart Spring

The Beehive Geyser while not very impressive when I saw it, can erupt to a height of up to 200 feet. Unfortunately this is a very unpredictable geyser.

Beehive Geyser

I don't recall the actual name of this spring but it looks very much like a beautiful humming bird to me.

Bird Shaped Hot Spring

This spring flows into the Firehole River. I found it an amazing and wonderful sight.

Finally, the crowd gathered in great anticipation, and Old Faithful performed its magic.

Old Faithful Crowd

It didn't seem to me that it went anywhere near 100 feet but it was great fun to this this natural wonder.

Old Faithful

Old Faithful

Old Faithful

On the way home we witnessed this doe fending off several coyotes. She seemed to be protecting something laying on the ground, perhaps one of her offspring. She was doing a pretty god job of keeping them at bay, but we knew it was only a mater of time before they tired her out. We did not wait around to see the final act.

Deer fending off Coyotes

Deer fending off Coyotes

Seeing this beautiful cloud was a great finish to another wonderful day in Yellowstone.

Sunset over Yellowstone

On Tuesday we left Cody and drove the coach through Yellowstone. Again we were greeted by these buffalo.

Buffalo sitting along side the road

Here we cross the Yellowstone river at the Fishing Bridge for the final time.

Yellowstone river at the Fishing Bridge

This buffalo parade held up several school busses, but I'm sure it was a thrill for the kids on board.

Buffalo parade

Next we stopped at the Norris Geysers for a final Yellowstone hike. I had a great time exploring this beautiful area. It was a great end to a great visit to a great park.

Norris Geyser Basin

Norris Geyser Basin

Norris Geyser Basin

Norris Geyser Basin

Norris Geyser Basin

Norris Geyser Basin

Norris Geyser Basin

On the way out of the park we saw a couple of Elk including a beautiful bull

Elk

Bull Elk

and this Otter playing in the river.

Otter playing in Yellowstone River

After leaving Yellowstone we drove to Ashton Idaho where we dry camped for the night along the side of the road.

Idaho Sunset

Thursday the 22nd of Sept. we drove up I 84 through the Columbia Gorge back to Portland to end our trip. A week later we would be back on the Oregon Coast for another Russian Decorative Painting class.

Columbia Gorge

Columbia Gorge

Columbia Gorge