Classic Yellowstone

I have been very neglectful about sitting down at the computer to write. The first reason is the weather. It is finally getting nice in this area. Temps are now in the 70's during the day and the rain has slowed considerably. Secondly,  because the weather is better, we are busier. After leaving Utah we entered Wyoming and traveled to Thayne, about halfway through the state but right on the border with Idaho. We traveled around the area and came away with the impression that people move to Wyoming to get away from other people. We must have gone through/visited 25 towns.... none of which had a population of more than 500 people. The only place that was over 1,000 was Jackson Hole with a population around 6,500. I found Jackson very commercial.... souvenir shops, restaurants and bars. There were many galleries to admire but when sculptures average $35,000.00 each.... you don't spend a lot of time. Here are a few pics.
This arch is made from antlers shed by the elk who winter here every year.

Jackson Hole is everything "cowboy"

When we left Thayne we entered Yellowstone National Park via the South entrance. We traveled northwest through the park to the West Entrance and into West Yellowstone. It took us a long time to travel the 160 some miles. The first reason is the speed limit within the park. It ranges from 45 to 25 miles per hour. Secondly, you have to concede the road to the critters and buffalo do not walk very fast. This is a typical scene....

When Sydney first saw the buffalo, through the RV windows, he started growling and barking. Since then he has seen them so frequently and so close to the jeep that that he just watches them...... sometimes not even bothering to stand up.

One of the first places we visited was the Old Faithful Inn. This is the world's largest log structure. It was threatened during the fires in 1988 but local farmers donated 55 miles of irrigation pipe that was placed over the top and around the perimeter of the structure to save it. It is magnificent to behold.

We sat and watched Old Faithful erupt.... right on time I might add. Our experience was enhanced because we participated in a "wave" through the  gallery of world wide people assembled.

Another classic of Yellowstone is the lake. I was amazed at how big it is.

And finally.... the snow. It's the end of June and there is 6 to 8 feet of snow in the mountains. We went to Mount Washburn and took these pictures. The snow was over my head (no short jokes please) in most places despite the 60 degree temperatures at the top of the mountain.

The only down side of this adventure is the space. The park is so large that you drive 80 to 100 miles per day just to see one section of the park. Each section is different than the other. There is the volcanic section, wildlife sections, water sections, mountain sections  and everything in between. I have to divide this blog into several postings because of the photos.