We checked out of the Mammoth Hot Springs Lodge, parked the PhotoFun50, and loaded our bags into the Yellow Bus.
Our first stop was the Yellowstone Heritage Center in Gardiner MT, where we got a private tour of the collections there. Pictures were not allowed, but it’s a wonderful facility. We returned to Yellowstone National Park through the Roosevelt Arch. We took a few minutes to record our visit.
These cow Elk were on the hillside near the Roosevelt Arch.
Our group picture under the Arch. I set the timer on the shutter release and ran to get into the picture. This is the back of the Arch. The morning sun had the front of the Arch in shadow.
We were headed for Old Faithful, traveling south on the west side of the Park. Our first stop was the Golden Gate.
A gorgeous view. The engineer in me was interested in the bridge.
I usually read the information signs and then move on, but the engineer in me had to save this information.
Turning around from the gorgeous view, I found Rustic Falls.
Our route took us past Roaring Mountain and Obsidian Cliff. We were approaching our lunch stop when we ran into a Bear Jam, caused by this happy camper.
This Black Bear was not bothered by the onlookers at all, and enjoyed its dandelion snack before disappearing into the trees.
We ate our lunch at a quiet spot along the Gibbon River.
We found this herd of Bison as we continued our journey.
Our next stop was the Madison Information Station, a short hike from the parking lot.
Nancy shared the story of National Park Mountain (behind her). Legend has it that the Washburn party camped nearby around 1870 and discussed the creation of a national park system. Yellowstone National Park was created in 1872.
With National Park Mountain on the left, this is the view down the Madison Valley towards Mount Haynes – spectacular!
For our next stop, Matt dropped us at a trailhead and we hiked about a mile and a half to see this!
Grand Prismatic Spring as viewed from an overlook.
Nancy took a few pictures for us.
Headed back to the Yellow Bus, we saw Rabbit Creek meeting the Firehole River.
Tired from our busy day, we arrived at Old Faithful. We had time to check into our room in the Old Faithful Snow Lodge before watching Old Faithful put on a show.
The Yellow Bus at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge.
I shot a video and will figure out how to pull a frame from the video.
After the geyser show, we headed to the Old Faithful Lodge for a wonderful dinner.
This is the fireplace in the dining room. The painting is gorgeous and resembles the spark screen on the hearth.
What a fantastic day! Gorgeous scenery, Bison, a Bear, Old Faithful, and great friends.
Enjoy – PHOTOROGR
The PHOTOROGR Project 