Yellowstone... We Made It!

Trip Start May 11, 2008
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Trip End May 24, 2008


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Flag of United States  , Montana,
Sunday, May 18, 2008

*  We left Butte early this morning and marveled at another drive through the Rockies. We headed east towards Bozeman, passing the headwaters of the Missouri River. We turned south off I-90 at Livingstone, Montana and followed the Yellowstone River. The mountains on both sides of us were snow-capped and in around 10,000 and 11,000 feet high. We reached Gardiner about 1 pm. We stopped for lunch at a place called the Town Cafe - both of us had buffalo burgers (yes, made from buffalo) - very good.

*After lunch we headed into Yellowstone National Park, to Mammoth Hot Springs. We were barely in the park when we saw a herd of buffalo lounging by the roadside. Of course we stopped to take pictures. 15 minutes later we were at the Hot Springs.  You can't go in these hot springs - not only is the water near boiling temperature, they produce hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide. But the resulting formations are spectacular!

*We saw a few elk wandering around old Fort Yellowstone (the park was once maintained by the United States Army). The old buildings are fantastic. 

*It was very warm today - -- 30C/88F - N and I both bought hats to keep us from getting sunburned.

*We checked into the Best Western ... another great room. Outside our window we have a view of the snow capped rockies.  We took a couple of hours to do some laundry and then headed across the street for a pizza at a place called "The Outpost".  Pizza was good. We then went for a walk through Gardiner. In one yard we saw a herd of mule deer just taking it easy, not bothered by people or traffic.  We headed back to our hotel as the sun was setting in the west and a full moon was rising in the east.

*Tomorrow we're heading back into the Park to see Old Faithful.

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Leaving Butte Leaving Butte Continental Divide Continental Divide I-90 between Butte and Bozeman, Montana I-90 between Butte and Bozeman, Montana I-90 between Butte and Bozeman I-90 between Butte and Bozeman
I-90 between Butte and Bozeman I-90 between Butte and Bozeman I-90 between Butte and Bozeman I-90 between Butte and Bozeman I-90 between Butte and Bozeman I-90 between Butte and Bozeman Heading south to Gardiner Heading south to Gardiner
I-90 between Butte and Bozeman I-90 between Butte and Bozeman I-90 between Butte and Bozeman I-90 between Butte and Bozeman I-90 between Butte and Bozeman I-90 between Butte and Bozeman I-90 between Butte and Bozeman I-90 between Butte and Bozeman
N, on the way to Gardiner, MT N, on the way to Gardiner, MT B and the Yellowstone River [by N] B and the Yellowstone River [by N] on the way to Gardiner MT [by N] on the way to Gardiner MT [by N] In Yellowstone, taking pics of buffalo [by N] In Yellowstone, taking pics of buffalo [by N]
Heading south to Gardiner Heading south to Gardiner Gardiner Montant Gardiner Montant Lunchtime in Gardiner, MT Lunchtime in Gardiner, MT Buffalo burger and onion rings at Town Cafe Buffalo burger and onion rings at Town Cafe
Buffalo Burger and Fires Buffalo Burger and Fires Gardiner, Montana Gardiner, Montana In Gardiner Montana In Gardiner Montana on the main street, Gardiner MT on the main street, Gardiner MT
Inside the Best Western hotel, Gardiner Inside the Best Western hotel, Gardiner Roosevelt Arch entrance to Yellowstone Roosevelt Arch entrance to Yellowstone Inside the Best Western hotel, Gardiner Inside the Best Western hotel, Gardiner Yellowstone entrance Yellowstone entrance
In Yellowstone In Yellowstone Baby Buffalo - In Yellowstone Baby Buffalo - In Yellowstone In Yellowstone In Yellowstone In Yellowstone In Yellowstone
Gardiner River - In Yellowstone Gardiner River - In Yellowstone Black-billed magpie - In Yellowstone Black-billed magpie - In Yellowstone Mammoth Hot Springs - In Yellowstone Mammoth Hot Springs - In Yellowstone Mammoth Hot Springs - In Yellowstone Mammoth Hot Springs - In Yellowstone
Mammoth Hot Springs - In Yellowstone Mammoth Hot Springs - In Yellowstone Mammoth Hot Springs - In Yellowstone Mammoth Hot Springs - In Yellowstone Mammoth Hot Springs - In Yellowstone Mammoth Hot Springs - In Yellowstone Mammoth Hot Springs - In Yellowstone Mammoth Hot Springs - In Yellowstone
Mammoth Hot Springs - In Yellowstone Mammoth Hot Springs - In Yellowstone Yellowstone River, Gardiner Montan Yellowstone River, Gardiner Montan Mammoth Hot Springs - In Yellowstone Mammoth Hot Springs - In Yellowstone Mammoth Hot Springs - In Yellowstone Mammoth Hot Springs - In Yellowstone
Yellowstone River Yellowstone River Mammoth Hot Springs - In Yellowstone Mammoth Hot Springs - In Yellowstone Mammoth Hot Springs - In Yellowstone Mammoth Hot Springs - In Yellowstone Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park
Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone [by N] Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone [by N] Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone [by N] Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone [by N] Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone [by N] Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone [by N] Yellowstone view [by N] Yellowstone view [by N]
Montana Sunset Montana Sunset Montana Moonrise Montana Moonrise
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