Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

June 7 - 8, 2010  After encountering nothing but cold and rain in Montana and South Dakota, we encounter, well, more cold and rain in Yellowstone!  Our longing for good weather camping seems to be a mere distant dream in the constant rain and cold.  Nevertheless, Yellowstone did not disappoint in flora, fauna and breathtaking views.  After 2 days of driving with overnight stays in Helena, MT and Big Sky, MT we arrive the park 428 miles south from East Glacier/Saint Mary Lake.  Our cabin at the Old Faithful Lodge was perfectly situated in front of Old Faithful, a most reliable geyser, erupting every 30 min. to 2 hours, never failing to keep the tourists in awe.

Established in 1872, America's first national park is also a World Heritage Site and a designated Biosphere Reserve Site, sitting on Yellowstone Caldera, the largest super volcano on the continent.  With this, we enjoyed seeing so many animals enjoying the lush greens, visiting the geothermal waters at West Thumb Geyser Basin that steamed and boiled with energy, and a short canyon hike with views of Upper & Lower Falls.  Our only disappointment was the Xanterra-run theme/resort feeling, where we had to spend forced copious amounts of money on horrible food with an ambiance of crowding tourists every stop we go. 

Bison on the roadside.

Historic Old Faithful Inn, great ambiance, overpriced food where Charlie ordered bison ravioli which was frozen.

Old Faithful erupts at an 8:15 pm sunset.

Clouded eruption.

Another shot.

Waiting for the 8:20 am morning Old Faithful eruption at our lodge.

Silhouette of Charlie having breakfast with views of Old Faithful.

Elk at Geyser Basin, a rare rain-free day.

Lake Yellowstone, with views of the Tetons in the distance as well an underwater geyser.

Abyss Thermal Pool, deepest known pool with a 53 foot depth at West Thumb Geyser Basin, overlooking Yellowstone Lake in the distance.

View of Upper Falls at Canyon Village.

Bison on the range at Madison.