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100 year old log house

Monday we drove to Cody Wyoming. On the way we discovered this very old building with a mud roof and a great collection of old wagons. The owner of the property stopped to say hi and answer the many questions we had about this house that is over 100 years old.

100 year old log house

On Wednesday we explored Cody. I was very impressed with this large bronze canoe with a hunter in the front, an indian in the back and an Elk pelt in the middle.

Bronze Canoe with Trapper and Indian

Bronze Canoe with Trapper and Indian

Then we drove up to the Buffalo Bill Cody Dam and visited the museum there. When completed in 1910, it was the highest dam in the world at 325 feet. Apparently Col. Cody was very instrumental in getting this dam built which provides much of the irrigation water in northwest Wyoming. Here are two photos of the Buffalo Bill Reservoir.

Buffalo Bill Cody Dam

Buffalo Bill Cody Reservoir

Next we went back into Cody and watched a Gunfight re-enactment. It was a mildly entertaining play in the middle of the street, with the good guys drinking and dancing and the bad guys intent on robbing the bank. The sheriff, with a couple of deputies, prevailed of course in a flurry of noise and smoke.

Gunfight re-enactment

Gunfight re-enactment

Gunfight re-enactment

Gunfight re-enactment

Thursday we drove into Yellowstone National Park which is about an hour west of Cody. We passed the Cody Dam and Reservoir and traveled throughout the Buffalo Bill State Park with its beautiful rock formations.

Buffalo Bill Cody Reservoir

Buffalo Bill State Park

Along the way we stopped at the Pahaska Tepee restaurant and lodge which was Bill Cody's Original Hunting Lodge and where we would return for dinner later that night.

Pahaska Tepee

Here is our first view of Yellowstone and yellowstone lake.

Yellowstone

Yellowstone Lake

Almost immediately after entering the park we saw a black bear which was just above our car on the hillside. This is the best shot I could get as I was driving past him.

Black Bear

Then we encountered our first buffalo parade. We would witness many of these in the several days we were in Yellowstone.

Buffalo parade

They were definitely a highlight of our trip. These huge animals were not threatening in any way. This is their territory and crossing the road in a leisurely fashion is just something they do every day.

Buffalo parade

Bull Buffalo

Here is another shot of Yellowstone Lake near the Fishing Bridge.

Yellowstone Lake near the Fishing Bridge

One of our first stops in the park was the Mud Volcano Area where we saw many bubbling pools of hot liquid mud and steam vents like this one called the Dragon's Mouth Spring. The name was very appropriate due to the breath-like quality of the steam and the rumbling sound made by waves crashing within the hidden cave.

Dragon's Mouth Spring

Mud Volcano Area

Here's another herd of buffalo camped by the Yellowstone river.

Herd of Buffalo by the Yellowstone River

Our next stop was the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone which was fabulous. Here several photos taken from Artist's Point, of the valley and the impressive Lower Falls.

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Lower Falls, Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Next we went to the Visitor Center where I took this photo of a poster of the park. This gives you some idea of the immensity of Yellowstone.

Poster of Yellowstone

These photos were taken from Inspiration Point and Grand View.

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Here are the beautiful upper falls, on the Yellowstone River as it flows north from the lake toward Montana.

Upper Falls, Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Next we drove to the Norris Geyser Basin where this photo was taken. Because it was getting late we decided to come back to this spot on another day.

Norris Geyser Basin

Our next stop was Old Faithful which unfortunately had erupted about 20 minutes ago. Because we had to get back to the East gate by 8PM we decided we had better not wait, so we headed home with the goal of seeing Old Faithful do its thing on another day.

Old Faithful after eruption

On the way back Dayadevi took this photo of the moon rising over Yellowstone Lake as I was driving to make our deadline. We got to there just in time to be let through the construction zone with the last group of vehicles.

Moon rising over Yellowstone Lake

Friday we went back to Yellowstone via the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway and the Beartooth Highway. It was a beautiful drive through some high mountain passes and forests.

Chief Joseph Scenic Byway

Chief Joseph Scenic Byway

Chief Joseph Scenic Byway

Beartooth Highway

When we got to the Park Headquarters at Mammoth Hot Springs we were greeted by this large herd of Elk hanging out on the lawn. It was quite a wonderful sight to see them up close. They are quite free to roam if they wish, and I'm not sure what they like about being around humans, because they did not seem to be getting fed.

Herd of Elk at Mammoth Hot Springs Visitors Center

Herd of Elk at Mammoth Springs Visitors Center

I think perhaps Mammoth Hot Springs is my favorite part of Yellowstone. I just love all the different colors and other-wordly views. Here is Liberty Cap which is an extinct hot spring.

Liberty Cap

Here are some photos of the Palette Spring which I thought was particularly beautiful.

Palette Spring

Palette Spring

Mammoth Springs

Next we drove around the Upper Terrace Loop which gave us easy access to many wonderful photos.

Upper Terraces, Mammoth Hot Springs

Upper Terraces, Mammoth Hot Springs

Rather than trying to get to Old Faithful again, we decided to head home. Of course we saw many Buffalo on the way...

Buffalo Herd

Buffalo Nursing

Yellowstone River

Buffalo by Road

Buffalo Family by Road

as well as these fisherman in the Yellowstone River.

Fisherman in the Yellowstone River