Cooke City to Helena, Montana

Sunday was spent laying low, we did not do anything special, Dave's back was hurting so we sat.  Chilly day, had rain in the afternoon, but good day to get caught up on reading or computer work.  I managed to get a quilt top done, ready to go to the quilter (he does the fancy top stitching for me) while we were in Cooke City.

Monday morning, the 21st, we packed up and ready to go by 9am.  The owner, Bev, came by and said goodbye, nice chat - she told us some inside scoop on the area.  She said that the last couple of nights a bull moose and her calf were hanging out just down the street - shoot!  We never saw them.

All in all, our stay in Cooke City was great.  Got to Yellowstone, Red Lodge, and top of the world by climbing up and over the Beartooth Pass a couple of times.  Saw some beautiful waterfalls, lots of pristine woods and so many wildflowers, I wanted to bottle the color up and save it.

So pretty - and the smell of pine! 

Near entrance to Yellowstone

Eight miles west of Cooke City is the entrance to Yellowstone National Park and stopped at the ranger station to pass through.  Drove for the last time through Lamar Valley - so very pretty - and on through to the north entrance - Mammoth Hot Springs area of Yellowstone.  Did not see any elk - too early for them to be lounging around like the last time we came through.  Not too many people out and about but did see plenty of buffalo again.

Lamar River

Yellowstone River

So many buffalo

When we got to the northern entrance of Yellowstone, at Roosevelt Arch, we were shocked at the amount of cars and campers waiting to get in.  Was disappointed we could not drive through the arch - they had blocked off the road to outgoing traffic.  Gardiner, the town just outside of YNP, had so much construction, their roads were so torn up.  And the people!  Wow.  Followed the Yellowstone River along our route and saw many rafters scooting along.  Traveled another 59 miles to Livingston and gassed up for the rest of the trip.

Traffic lined all the way back to Roosevelt Arch

Arch way back there

Officer's Quarters of Mammoth Springs

Sulphur Springs Terrace at  Mammoth Hot Springs

We switched driving at that point, Dave rested his back and I got in the driver's seat.  Jumped on Interstate 90 and headed westbound for Three Forks, a town about 49 miles away.  Then got off I90 and headed north on Route 287 for Helena.  I grew up thinking Helena is pronounced - Hell - lee - nah.  Nope.  Pronounced Hell - eh - nah.  Many times corrected to pronounce correctly.  Got to our campground, Lincoln Road RV Park, which is 9 miles north of Hell - eh - na, by 3pm.  Not bad driving day, 238 miles - we left Cooke City in 48 degrees and was 92 when we settled in.  Talk about sweating.

Rafters on Yellowstone near Livingston

Will sit here a week, get the car tuned up, RV supplies, grocery shop, laundry, cat food, medicine refilled.  Not sure about any sightseeing - if time allows.

Grace says hello.

Buddy (the Bud Man) says hey, was-up?