We left Driggs, this morning about 9:45am and headed for Yellowstone. The drive was easy and we were again intrigued by the miles and miles of green and yellow fields—potatoes, wheat and hay. Yellowstone was looming on our horizon. Yellowstone encompasses more than 2.2 million acres, most of it beyond the reach of roads. One could take an entire lifetime to experience the park and would still never see it all. We crossed from Idaho into Montana and into the park at West Yellowstone, Montana.
Then we almost immediately crossed into Wyoming and now we’re staying in Montana— 4 states in 3 hours.
We entered the park from the west entrance.
Spotting animals has been a quest for us and we weren’t in the park long before we came upon lots of parked cars— a sure sign something is out there. Elk!
There was a small herd of female elk grazing on an island in the Madison River.
Finally—so exciting to see!
Next we saw the Gibbon Falls on the Madison River.
There are lots of people in the park and all are respectful of the rules—masks are in order.
Beryl Spring is the next stop. It is a hot spring with the temperature of the water just a few degrees below boiling.
Moving on, we spot a parking area for “Artists’ Paintpots”. We walked about a mile to a wooden walkway over a wet meadow. Along the way we came to Blood Geyser.
The high concentration of iron oxide in the water precipitates out, staining the surrounding rocks a rich red.
Walking on we climb up and around to look down on the Paintpots (not too impressive)
and the bubbling mud (more impressive).
We really liked watching that. The acidic stream causes the rocks to dissolve into clay to make a mud pot. Back in the car, next stop Norris Geyser Basin.
The basin is home to Steamboat Geyser. The tallest geyser in Yellowstone. On the wooden walkway, we first encounter Emerald Spring.
The Spring is lined with yellow sulfur deposits. The yellow color of the sulfur combines with the reflected blue light, making the hot spring appear a magnificent emerald green.
Continuing on the wooden walkway, another quarter mile to the Steamboat Geyser.
It is nicknamed “ Old Unpredictable” since eruptions can occur anywhere from 4 days to 50 years apart. We decided not to wait! Instead, we took a selfie and moved on!
Back on the road, we passed another spectacular waterfall.
You can always tell there is something to see if cars are parked and people are out looking.
Moving on, we passed the “Travertine Terraces” at Mammoth Hot Springs”. The interaction of water and limestone create chalk-white travertine.
As we came into Mammoth Hot Springs, we passed an unusual rock formation
and came upon another herd of female elk with their calves feeding on some green grass.
There were more scenic rock formations along the highway
and the Yellowstone River raced along with us,
as we approached the North Entrance/Exit and our destination, Gardiner, Montana.
We found our Cottage home for the next week. It’s only about a mile from the Roosevelt Arch ( North Entrance to Yellowstone).
Tomorrow will be a whole new adventure!
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