Yellowstone-September 28, 2009

It was a balmy 25 degrees this morning. Clem's batteries held up over night. I think I may have been right. They just needed some exercise.

It was 7:30 am before we got out into the park and quite smokey but we never say die. And, as it turned out it was a pretty productive morning. What Mother Nature takes away with haze she gives back with steam.


Fire Hole River

The cold weather really brought the steam out and made for some very nice opportunities. If you're patient and don't give up things will come into view.


Morning Steam

As usual, Koty was less than inspired. He does not care for National Parks because All he gets to do most of the time is ride shotgun. For a busy boy this is shear torture which can only be alleviated by a good snooze.


On Strike

WE went back down the road as far as Black Sand Basin. Because of the smokey haze, I suppose, there wasn't much of interest so we headed back to Fire Hole Drive where we were treated to some very beautiful scenes.

Mystic Morning

It was so bleeding cold but if it had not been these photos would not have been possible. It's funny how I don't seem to be able to get enough of beautiful scenery. I am well and truly addicted. Why else would I be out here freezing my arse off?


Great Fountain Geyser

You can find the Great Fountain Geyser on the Fire Hole Lake Drive. I saw it yesterday and it certainly didn't look like this!


Buffalo Boy

Just as we were leaving Fire Hole Drive we ran smack dab into Buffalo Boy grazing right along the road.

By this time the morning was completely gone and I was once again pooped. I was also ready for a full service RV Park so we headed for West Yellowstone and the Grizzly RV Park. Very nice park by the way. We right away found a place to hike into the woods and I got the idea I should ask the people in the office if there was any access to the Madison where I could walk with my dog. I was told absolutely and given directions. I figured t would be the perfect place to head in the morning.

Whilst we were wandering around town we were stopped by a local couple who it turned out raise huskies. They told me about some good camping spots up 191 and I put it on my agenda, sounded ideal.

West Yellowstone, MT

All around the town there are these buffalo that artists have painted. I thought they were awfully nice so I swiped an image.

After dinner I decided to see if we could find the trailhead of the trail I had been told about. Well, I found it and there was a great big sign saying no dogs. I tell ya I have to wonder about people. That changed everything. We headed home to get packed up for a morning departure.

I wasn't too disappointed because I had a Plan B, just head on up 191.

©Kinsey Barnard

Ennis to West Yellowstone September 27, 2009

We continued our journey toward West Yellowstone following 287 and the Madison River. The Madison is a also a very pretty river and it was loaded with fishermen.

I made one stop along the way at the "Beaver Ponds". Didn't see any beavers but I thought I saw some beauty there.


Beaver Ponds

The park seemed pretty crowded and I soon found out why, the road to the North Entrance was closed due to construction. We headed directly to the Madison Campground. It had plenty of spaces available.

After checking into the campground I thought I had a very clever idea. I would drive up the closed road a way and then give Koty a good walk on a road that was not likely to have much traffic.

I was really thinking we could walk a long way with some privacy. Well, there weren't too many cars but about a mile and a half up the road had a barrier and said to walking in either. Drat!


Hot Springs

On the way Koty had his first run in with a hot spring. He jump off the road to get a drink and had a very sudden surprise. We did see a lonely bull buffalo grazing along the Gibbon River. Not a photograph kind of thing.

So, the I thought "Ok, we'll go down to West Thumb and then up". Our first stop was Black Sand Basin where we found this somewhat colorful pool.

Opalescent Pool

By the time we got down to the West Thumb turn-off there was a great big fire raging and the road was closed. At this point about two-thirds of the park was out of bounds. Foiled again.


Fire

So, back north we headed. We took a side trip on Fire Hole Lake drive. It turned out to be pretty cool.


Primordial Oyster

There were a number of colorful pools and I could see that there might be some very nice opportunities with morning light. I made a note for a reprise.

Primordial Ooze

Unfortunately, you may not be able to see the mystery in the photo below but there was like a glow that came up from this pool that look surreal. It kinda looked like maybe it was a mystical portal.

Mystical Pool

I never get to be in a picture so I could resist taking one. I've tried to get Koty to do it but he refuses.

Self Portrait

We also stopped in at Fire Hole Falls where I took a series of perfectly ordinary and boring pictures.

We capped off the day with another trip up the closed road to Norris. I thought maybe in the setting sun the old bull might present an image there along the Gibbon. He was still there only lying down. I walked all around him. Called him any number of names. And do you think the old sod would get up? Not on your life. He had heard it all before.

I did find this little gem. Well, I think it's a gem. Beauty is, after all, in the eye of the beholder.


Islands in the Stream

It has been a very long day and I'm ready for the campground. The spaces are just little turn outs and ours was full of ashes. Koty is now, very happily, a grey and black dog.