Days Four and Five - On the Road with Dominique

We Have Arrived

I Never Imagined

Finally a Perfect Picnic Spot

Every spot of this wildness called Yellowstone is different. Each oddity - geyser, mud pot, canyon, hot spring - is surrounded by different terrain - red rock, travertine, wooded forest.

Yellowstone Lake

I will share some of our photos, but you should also click on this link to see professional photos.

Between Sunday evening and Tuesday Noon, we experienced every kind of weather: rain, snow, sun, and wind. The only thing we did not experience was crowds! How lucky we were to come this time of year. As this is the 100 Year Anniversary of the National Parks Service, they are expecting 4 1/2 million visitors this year. The average is three million. Take my advice: Come in May or September.
Some of the roads and services might not be operating but, I will take that inconvenience over too many people. We had no problem finding a parking place at each feature; there was no waiting for food service; the view paths were not crowded; everyone was in a good mood because we were not crowded; the weather was stimulating and surprising instead of sweltering.

East Entrance Now Open

Yellowstone Rush Hour

Ninety percent of the other tourists were Japanese on a Japanese tour bus. They are always so happy and polite they don't even get upset if you are in one of their many photos.

Plenty of Elbow Room

About the only problem was the weather interfered with some of the spectacular effects of the natural phenomena. Because it was so windy, Old Faithful spread across the area in a cloud of steam and spray instead of shooting straight up into the blue sky. Oh well, look at a photo on line.

Old Faithful at Rest

Walking through Midway

On the Rim

Hot Springs Cold Dominique

In the Glade

Hot is Cool

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Falls in the Grand Canyon

Expanding Hot Water Kills Trees

No Soaking

On the Boardwalk through the Geysers

Travertine at Mammoth Hot Springs

Excelsiour Geyser Crater

Clear Skies

Another Picnic Site

After the Snow

The story of the first non-native to walk through Yellowstone is interesting - but perhaps legend. John Colter supposedly treked through the area chased by Crow and Blackfoot, naked and crazed. Everyone thought he was crazy when he described the wonders he saw in this area. I am going to read further to see if this is actual fact or good story. You can click this link and research more before I get around to it.