Waking up in Yellowstone

The Inn at Old Faithful is absolutely just like you would want an old Western themed Lodge to look like. Very comfy and great fun. Woke up this morning to hearty buffet breakfast, then step outside to hike the trails and boardwalks thru the Gyser Basin.

Starting with viewing "Old Faithful" from the outdoor Inn balcony.

And then the many more bubbling pools, mud pots, geysers, all things steaming.

Morning Sun thru the steaming eruptions

A Kildeer didn't mind the sulphur pools.

And more sights of the Park on our way back toward Red Lodge.

A still standing Petrified Tree millions of years old.

And then the Beartooth Scenic Hiway 212 again. There were dark, threatening clouds which made the sky look extra dramatic for the drive back to Red Lodge, Montana. Didn't rain after all.

7 miles of switchbacks coming down into Red Lodge.

Thanks for a great Birthday

Was the best birthday ever! Phone calls, texts, Whatsapp and messages from family and friends was so fun and so appreciated. Will treated me to an trip into Yellowstone NP and dinner and a night stay at the historic Old Faithful Inn. We got up early and drove the 65 miles over the infamous Beartooth Hiway and watched the sunrise on the mountain. 

Sunrise over the Beartooth Hiway. 

Coming close to Cook City and northeast entrance to the Park.

Spotted a moose

Bison stopping traffic! They are definitely in charge

Artist Point

mud pools

Old Faithful Inn

Old Faithful always delights!

Cody to Red Lodge Montana

A morning hike along the Shoshone River in Cody, Wyoming.

White Pelicans hanging out on sand bar in the river 

Cody, Wyoming is of course named for Buffalo Bill Cody--practically everything in this town is named for his legacy. We found his boyhood home. Yes, the actual house he lived in growing up--IN IOWA, no less! (LeClair, Iowa). The CB&Q railroad actually loaded it up and brought the house to Cody, Wyoming in 1923. Was moved around town several places before it was finally moved to his Great Western Museum where it stands today.

The waters behind the big dam out of town also named the Buffalo Bill Cody Dam. In 1910 it was the tallest cement dam in the world. Obviously no longer, but still impressive.

Finally made it to a sweet campground on the Rock River near Red Lodge, Montana. Perfect. We will be here for a week.

He was looking at us from across the river.

Petroglyphs and Cowboys

On our way to Cody, Wyoming we made a small detour off the hiway to see "Legends Rock," a Wyoming State Archeology site that is a significant Petroglyph Site. It's down a well marked dirt road, and a short hike to a canyon wall full of ancient markings. Some are 10,000 years old, some are 200 year old graffiti and unfortunately some recent vandalism. 

Back on the road, Wyoming is starting to show mountains and extraordinary views as we travel toward Montana.

Ended up in Cody, Wyoming. Did the Buffalo Bill Museum which actually is 5 museums in one. Large, well done complex. We spent several hours there in the afternoon until we were brain overload. Luckily the tickets are good for two days so we plan to go back in the morning for a while before we leave town!

Of course there is a whole lot about Buffalo Bill Cody, but also a huge display of the Plains Indians, Natural History of Wyoming, and a Western Art Museum. 

Casper to Thermopolis, Wy

We stopped for the night in Casper, right next to the North Platte River. Made for a pretty sunrise. We were at the tire shop when it opened to change out the spare tire for a new one after yesterday's flat. They checked over all the other tires and we were good to go.

This part of Wyoming is pretty desolate. Until we get to Shoshoni, Wy and turn north.

First thing we find is an absolutely huge reservoir. Good place to stop for lunch.

Then the landscape changes abruptly as we enter Wind River Canyon. Just out of nowhere we run onto Big Horn River cutting through a rugged canyon.

On the other side of canyon is town of Thermopolis which boats a very large natural hot springs that has been here for eons.

Boardwalk let's you walk across the active hot water drainage to a swinging bridge that takes you across the river for a grand view of the area.

Thermopolis also is home to the Wyoming Dinosaur Museum which I was anxious to see. It didn't disappoint. Rocks and fossils and dinosaur bones are right up my alley