One More Time - Yellowstone

Pebble Creek

We have been delayed here in Gardiner, Montana - waiting on a package to come in FedEx, and we got bored.  So - yesterday I drove while Dave watched out the window and we went to Lamar Valley which is known for it's scenic views and lots of wildlife.  This area is on the northern end of Yellowstone, driving from the Tower-Roosevelt junction northeast towards Cooke City, Montana.  Our expectations were low, just wanted to get out and see an area of the park we hadn't been to.

Lamar River - Lamar Valley

Absolutely beautiful.  Saw gazillion bison (buffalo) - some had visitors on their back - cowbirds lined up and some were quite angry that you were on their road - I am not moving!!,  pronghorn sheep running too fast to get pictures of, tracks of wolves and bears, pretty streams and rivers flowing through this valley. For once we didn't smell any sulfur which was fine with us.  Smoke from the wildfires was minimal, still burning, but not a problem with vista views. Stopped every now and then to walk to one of the rivers, smell the pines, just a lovely relaxing day.

Miner's home and outhouse

We drove to the northeast entrance to the park and decided to drive on into Cooke City.  Cute lovely little town.  Stopped at a coffee shop for some ice cream then coffee after and struck up a conversation with the owner. Ernest Hemingway spent time in this little town writing and hunting, killed his first grizzly not far from the shop.  Stopped and visited the information center (chamber of commerce) and was pleased with how they presented the town.  We noticed that the snow markers were up along the roads - from how high they are - they must get a lot of snow!  This town was founded by miners in the 1880's, but the mines were abandoned within 10 years because the snows prevented them from getting in or out of the area. At the visitor's center they had an original shack (home) and outhouse from the 1880's - glad we have insulation and electricity now!  Brrr.

Got on the road again and decided to go a tidge further north, driving along the scenic Beartooth Highway.  Came again to the 45th parallel, did a quick little hike honoring Chief Joseph and his band of Nez Perce Indians that were on the run from the US Cavalry, traveling right through this area.

Yellowstone River near Tower-Roosevelt Junction

On our drive back to Gardiner, we stopped where the Yellowstone River flowed by the Loop Road and got some amazing pictures.  Good day, got some great photos to remember. This is the kind of day we like - got alot of ahas and Wows.   Lamar Valley area of Yellowstone is the place to get very scenic photos.  If you come here, got to go to this area.  Today we clean, laundry, do some grocery shopping, out things away, then tomorrow morning we head to Pinedale, Wyoming - about a 5 hour drive south east of where we are now.  Will have to drive again through the park, but we will say our goodbyes at that time.  We will then be able to say we have driven all the roads of Yellowstone, the most impressive for views is by far Lamar Valley.