Great America - June & July, 2012
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Bison herd at Hayden Valley in Yellowstone NP, Wyoming. (above)
Days 6-8: Amazing, Awesome, Inspiring Yellowstone

The store was packed with people ending their day. It was chaos all around. A lot of times YNP feels like the suburbs. You are often stuck in traffic here, which ruins the nature vibe a tad... but only a tad. Nothing can ruin the amazing sights of Yellowstone NP. A bison bull or a hot spring cause your heart to beat a bit faster and suddenly, there is no crowd.  Continue reading...

Major Sites Visited:

Paradise Valley KOA, Pine Creek, MT

Yellowstone NP, Wyoming

Mammoth Hot Springs, YNP, WY

Lamar Valley, YNP, WY

Yellowstone Falls, YNP, WY

Old Faithful, YNP, WY

West Yellowstone, MT

Yellowstone Lake, YNP, WY

West Thumb Geyser Basin, YNP, WY

click on sites to learn more about them

Photo Album Click on the thumbnails to see the whole photo or to see a slideshow.  
Driving up Paradise Valley from Livingston, Montana.Driving up Paradise Valley from Livingston, Montana. Home, sweet home: the best KOA in America.Home, sweet home: the best KOA in America, Paradise Valley. Our comfortable, and mostly bear-free campsite, at the Paradise Valley KOA, north of the park.Our comfortable, and mostly bear-free campsite, at the Paradise Valley KOA. The Yellowstone River passing through the low part of Paradise Valley.The Yellowstone River passing through the low part of Paradise Valley. Andrew took a break in the KOA pool.Andrew took a break in the KOA pool. He pretended to be operating a drive-through, or as he called it a He pretended to be operating a drive-through, or as he called it a "drive way." An elk cow in the sage above our camp near Mammoth.An elk cow in the sage above our camp near Mammoth. The tip top of Mammoth Hot Springs.The tip top of Mammoth Hot Springs. Runoff from the Mammoth Springs. The color comes from microbes.Runoff from the Mammoth Springs. The color comes from microbes. Megafauna galore in the Lamar Valley in the northeast part of the park.Megafauna galore in the Lamar Valley in the northeast part of the park. A long pronghorn walking through Lamar Valley.A long pronghorn walking through Lamar Valley. The Lamar Valley bison herd, enjoying the easiest time of the year to be a bison.The Lamar Valley bison herd, enjoying the easiest time of the year to be a bison. We cooked up lunch near Hayden at this picnic ground.We cooked up lunch near Hayden at this picnic ground. This sign was close to our lunch spot so we kept a can of bear mace nearby.This sign was close to our lunch spot so we kept a can of bear mace nearby. I found them when I sat on this rock. There were hundreds on the rock and on silk threads hanging off the trees.There were hundreds on the rock and on silk threads hanging off the trees. Andrew spent some time working on a tablet coloring book page while we enjoyed the safari.Andrew spent some time working on a tablet coloring book page while we enjoyed the safari. A scene high on Dunraven Pass, overlooking wide swaths of grizzly country.A scene high on Dunraven Pass, overlooking wide swaths of grizzly country. The cliffs of Yellowstone Canyon, high on the Yellowstone River.The cliffs of Yellowstone Canyon, high on the Yellowstone River. A rainbow in the middle of Yellowstone Canyon.A rainbow in the middle of Yellowstone Canyon. Andrew and Daddy need a rest after that steep hike down to the falls.Andrew and Daddy need a rest after that steep hike down to the falls. The brink of Yellowstone's Lower Falls.The brink of Yellowstone's Lower Falls. This was the hardest 3/8 of a mile you could imagine.... trust me on this.This was the hardest 3/8 of a mile you could imagine.... trust me on this. The Yellowstone, cutting into the rock, deepening the canyon.The Yellowstone, cutting into the rock, deepening the canyon. The strange blue waters of the Hayden Valley.The strange blue waters of the Hayden Valley. We spotted this hunting coyote in the Hayden Valley.We spotted this hunting coyote in the Hayden Valley. Bald eagle near LeHardy's Rapids.Bald eagle near LeHardy's Rapids. This Hayden Valley calf can feel safe with mother. Even bears avoid messing with cows.This Hayden Valley calf can feel safe with mother. Even bears don't mess with cows. As it gets dark, the elk come out. This one was along Mammoth-Norris Road.As it gets dark, the elk come out. This one was along Mammoth-Norris Road. Our campsite at Mammoth after suffering a windy day.Our campsite at Mammoth after suffering a windy day. Sheepeater's Cliff was the spot we chose to eat breakfast the next morning.Sheepeater's Cliff was the spot we chose to eat breakfast. It's important in Yellowstone to avoid cooking near the campsite.It's important in Yellowstone to avoid cooking near the campsite. We kept our mace nearby and cooked 7 miles south of our beds.We kept our mace nearby and cooked 7 miles south of our beds. This is the Gardiner River, near Sheepeater's Cliff, perfect bear habitat.This is the Gardiner River, near Sheepeater's Cliff, perfect bear habitat. A big marmot was scurrying around in the rocks at the base of Sheepeater's Cliff.A big marmot was scurrying around in the rocks at the base of Sheepeater's Cliff. Gardiner River blossoms.Gardiner River blossoms. Moths or butterflies sunning themselves on the banks of the Gardiner River.Moths or butterflies sunning themselves on the banks of the Gardiner River. This is the Firehole River near the Norris Ranger Station.This is the Firehole River near the Norris Ranger Station. We spotted this We spotted this "dinosaur bird" walking through the prairie. We ponder a wade across Nez Perce Creek, even though a man was washing fish in it.We ponder a wade across Nez Perce Creek, even though a man was washing fish in it. Lunch at one of our favorite spots: Nez Perce Creek.Lunch at one of our favorite spots: Nez Perce Creek. The steaming Firehole River in contrast to the cool prairie grasses.The steaming Firehole River in contrast to the cool prairie grasses. South of Norris, one enters geyser country, so watch your step.South of Norris, one enters geyser country, so watch your step. A smoking furnace off the Firehole Lake Road.A smoking furnace off the Firehole Lake Road. Young Hopeful Geyser erupts every half minute or so, splasing nearly six feet into the air.Young Hopeful Geyser erupts every half minute or so, splashing nearly six feet into the air. Old Faithful  is surrounded by thousands of parking spots and it doesn't even have a a Foot Locker.Old Faithful is surrounded by thousands of parking spots and it doesn't even have a a Foot Locker. The source of the Firehole River is boiling runoff from the geysers.The source of the Firehole River is boiling runoff from the geysers. Nature plays some odd games in the waters near the Grand Prismatic Spring.Nature plays some odd games in the waters near the Grand Prismatic Spring. Along the edge of the Grand Prismatic Spring.Along the edge of the Grand Prismatic Spring. Bison tracks in the spring bed. Bison tracks in the spring bed. A big bull elk just north of Norris.A big bull elk just north of Norris. Most people do not respect the damage a bull elk can do.Most people do not respect the damage a bull elk can do. The source of the Yellowstone River.The source of the Yellowstone River. I decided to keep my hike along the Pelican Creek very brief.I decided to keep my hike along the Pelican Creek very brief. A scene in prime grizzly country: lower Pelican Creek. Come armed.A scene in prime grizzly country: lower Pelican Creek. Come armed. The north shore of Yellowstone Lake, the cauldera of America's biggest volcano.The north shore of Yellowstone Lake, the cauldera of America's biggest volcano. Another eagle, this one spotted in the thick woods north of Yellowstone Lake.Another eagle, this one spotted in the thick woods north of Yellowstone Lake. West Thumb is home to the most amazing little geysers and springs.West Thumb is home to the most amazing little geysers and springs. A deep West Thumb spring.A deep West Thumb spring. An overview of West Thumb, one of the most unstable parts of the Yellowstone landscape.An overview of West Thumb, one of the most unstable parts of the Yellowstone landscape.

• Photos copyright 2012 by S. Plencner & J. Bezold • All other content copyright 2013 by S. Plencner •