Day six takes us back to Yellowstone to explore the northern areas of the park.
When experiencing Yellowstone, a great deal of time is spent just driving from feature to feature. This huge park is 63 miles long and 54 miles wide. Fortunately, the scenic beauty is enough to keep one entertained constantly.
Today's route took us first to the mud volcano features along the east side of the Yellowstone loop. You can't help but be impressed by the power of the steam, as water makes contact with the massive magma chamber 4 miles underground where it roars back to the surface through caves and mud pits. The local bison seem to view this as a spa, as they stretch out around the pits. The incredibly putrid smell of the sulfur in these geothermal areas is also quite...spectacular.
Traveling across the northern section of the loop took us next through the amazing canyon country...rolling hillsides deep in wildflowers of pink, yellow and purple, leading to the massive lower falls within "The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone".
Our last stop of the day was at Mammoth Hot Springs at the northwest area of the loop. The steam features of this area are quite different in appearance from any of the others we have seen so far. Equally fascinating were the buildings in the area that housed the remote Fort Yellowstone.
We made the long trip back to Teton Village, and arrived just in time for some Roadhouse BBQ before they closed.
Notes...
- We spotted and photographed an impressive elk on our way to the Mud Volcano, but then we were informed of a MUCH larger one in the adjacent woods. He was massive, with antlers between 3 and 4 feet wide, and a total height over 7 feet (see photos)
- Yellowstone changes feel and terrain very quickly from section to section. It really is like visiting five different parks in one
- Passing through Grand Teton on the way to Yellowstone this morning allowed us to see our first and only bear of the trip - a young grizzly with a tracking collar (see photos)
Our last full day is tomorrow, and Brin has it planned out for us.
NOTE - Click on the above photo for a larger view!
1 comment:
Hi Britt! You probably don't remember me, but I'm your second cousin, Ricki. I live in Jacksonville, and Diana is my sister. She and your dad are pretty close in age. I'm 10 years younger than Diana. Our mother Betty was Bates' sister. I met you when I came to Atlanta to visit your grandparents when I was a teenager - but you were only about 3 or 4 then! Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that your dad sent Diana a link to this blog, and she sent it to me. What gorgeous pictures you've taken! I bet you and your family will remember this trip for a long, long time! I'm really looking forward to seeing the pics of the rest of your trip. Hope you and your family have loads of fun!
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