I had camped in bear country in Alaska, but Yellowstone was a different matter. The bears in Yellowstone are more accustomed to people and had learned to associate humans with food. So camping outdoors in soft-sided tents (as opposed to campers and such) was forbidden. That was OK with me since it was also raining, and the long drives tended to make me want a decent bed and a shower at the end of the day. So when I arrived at Yellowstone I ended up staying in some cabins. This was my view in the morning when I woke up:
It was lovely, and the air was fresh and clear. The place was called Pahaska Tepee Resort.
As I drove into the park I could see evidence of the Yellowstone fires of 1988. Many large trunks still stood with evidence of a wildfire. I made it to Old Faithful with minutes to spare:
As I left the geyser, there was a traffic jam just outside the parking lot:
I didn’t have time to see all the geologic features of the park, and had just been to Iceland in June, so I only stopped at one feature, Artists Paintpots and hot springs:
I liked the milky mud pots that made fart noises, and smelled like them too!
On that leg of the trip I also saw a herd of elk, but didn’t see any bears. I was also getting tired of driving behind very slow tourists, mostly retirees who drove 10 miles below the speed limit and slowed even further at every attraction. I had to get out of there, eventually leaving the north exit to Montana. There was a cool feature just outside the park, Devil’s Slide:
After Yellowstone my fun stops would come to an end. I was starting to get tired of travelling and wanted to get done with it, so planned on gunning it to Missoula, Montana. There I stayed at an expensive Holiday Inn adjacent to some all-night construction. I didn’t get much sleep, but took my time in the morning and had some coffee at a nearby cafe.
brettcajun says:
Beautiful pictures! The scenery is so nice. The prospect of being away from people… even better! I need to go to Yellowstone one day. I have never been to that part of the country yet. Thanks for sharing pumpkin!
October 2, 2012, 2:13 pmDumpin' says:
I love cross-country drives. Have dine it three times now, but always the southern route headed to and from Los Angeles. The change in scenery is just so amazing. After leaving a snowy central Ohio, the desert southwest felt almost alien. Sidebar: On the last trip out, I was also reading the Lord of the Rings trilogy at night before bed.
October 2, 2012, 3:37 pmMike P says:
I camped in a soft-sided tent in Yellowstone about a decade ago. I guess the rules have changed since then. I was wigged out by the picnic table warnings about not storing food in your tent because it would attract the bears. Talk about sleeping with one eye open.
October 2, 2012, 7:17 pmLast time I stayed at the Best Western in Jackson Hole. Getting older, I guess.
Lovely photos, I remember the march of the buffalo down the road with huge heads right beside my car window.
Cubby says:
I love your pics!
October 2, 2012, 11:43 pmJim says:
I guess this is a case of BYOB…bring your own bear!
October 3, 2012, 10:04 am