Yellowstone NP would have to be the highlight of our trip and we have already seen so many spectacular sights. Yellowstone is what the tourist brochures call "the flagship attraction" for Wyoming. It is actually the world's first NP established in 1872 but initially administered by the US Army until they passed an Act in Parliament which created the National Parks Association and it passed into their hands early in the 20th century. It is home to half the world's geysers and many other geothermal features and if I am correct can boast about 10,000 in all. The photo above was taken quite early in the morning so as a result we were able to see more steam than we would have later in the day.
Above is one of the buildings from Fort Yellowstone. They have been beautifully preserved and now serve as park offices, tourist buildings and private residences.
Below, if you look at the enlarged photo you will see a black bear and her cub. We thought we were very fortunate to see them even though they were across the other side of the gorge. They are regulars there and stay in the one place for a while foraging for food.
When John Colter became the first white man to visit the area in 1807 the only inhabitants were part a tribe of the Shoshone Native People as well as lots of wildlife. This includes bison, elk, deer, wolf and cougar. Although we didn't get to see them all we were lucky enough to see our share. There are signs up everywhere telling tourists that bison and elk etc are dangerous and not to get too close, however, they go largely ignored as people jump out and take photos from only feet away. I must admit we were guilty as well as I posed in front of a bison who was reclining in a dirt bath about 10 metres away. Mind you we kept a close eye out for any sudden movements from his vicinity.
You are probably wondering what this photo has to do with Yellowstone so I will enlighten you. This guy was one of our neighbouring campers at the campground. He pulls a trailer behind his Gold Wing motorcycle and what you see is the end result. He claims that 4 people could sleep in there but I'm thinking it would be a comfy fit and just too close for comfort if you had a snorer in your group.
Above is a photo of the geyser Old Faithful so named because of its reliability in blowing its top. Every 1.5 hrs or so it spews up to 8400 gallons of water into the air. Don't ask me what that is in litres as I have forgotten how to convert it. Whatever the quantity it is one heck of a lot of water. There is a huge Visitors Centre at the site and they have a clock up letting you know when the next eruption is due and it was spot on. We were there with the other thousands of tourists who were anxiously awaiting the big blow.
This "bad boy", as Mike Rishworth would say, is one of the resident bison who were saved from extinction early last century. One of the most notable conservationists was Teddy Roosevelt and there are many memorials attesting to this fact throughout the park. They can now boast the longest continuous existence in North America. This one was not as close as he looks and the picture was taken from the car window. Don't know that I would like to tangle with this particular one as he was on his feet and ready to go.
Above is Yellowstone Falls. This is a very spectacular sight and one of the many throughout the Park. In addition to all of the Geothermal attractions the park also has pristine mountain streams, mountain meadows, many lakes including Lake Yellowstone, forest trails and lots of white water. It is an awesome place. Below is a picture of the canyon walls, yellow in colour, which give the Park its name.
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