Sep 12, 2011 - Yellowstone National Park

We went to Foot Bridge and watched the Lamar Canyon Pack leaving the bison carcass and heading towards Cache Creek. This seems to be a regular routine in the morning as the fisherman and hikers invade their territory. The return in the evening as the crowds thin out. We adjust our travels to meet this schedule. We headed to Mammoth to pick up the Geo. After paying the $900 bill for the replacement of the wheel bearing and two struts we headed back to Foot Bridge and Pebble Creek.

Sep 11, 2011 - Yellowstone National Park

We started our morning were we watched the Lamar Canyon Pack on the bison carcass tell the hikers made them nervous and they went into hiding. We decided to head to Hayden Valley were we hoped to see the Hayden Valley Pack. We stopped at Le Hardy Rapids to look for mergansers but the Yellowstone was too high and the rapids were running very strong. Our next stop was Fishing Bridge General Store for a little shopping. We returned to Grizzle overlook were the Lamar Canyon Pack was spotted. Kathy saw eight of the pack including 3 Puppies. We...

Sep 10, 2011 - Yellowstone National Park

We left Mammoth in the morning and checked Tower Campground for a camping site; none were available so we headed to Pebble Creek. When arrived in the Lamar Valley and spotted a gray wolf, predicted its travel path and were able to position ourselves in spot that allowed for close observation and pictures. We continued on to Pebble creek were we found a camping spot. In the evening we went to Foot Bridge and watched the Lamar Canyon Pack on a bison carcass.

Sep 9, 2011 - Yellowstone National Park

In the morning we headed to Tower Junction where we unhitched the Geo to go search for a camp ground. We immediately noticed a grinding sound and stopped to identify a problem in the right front wheel. Sounded like a wheel bearing going out, a problem that I am familiar with from our BC trip in 2009. We drove back to Gardiner and left the Geo at the Tire Iron Garage. Our assessment was right and they were able to get parts ordered and will do the repairs on Monday or Tuesday. We headed back into the park and got a camping spot at Mammoth...

Sep 9, 2011 - Gardiner, MT

Fri, 09 Sep: A very busy day... We logged 219 miles from Hardin to Gardiner, Montana. The drive was beautiful, along I 90 and then a gorgeous drive south on US 89 from Livingston to Gardiner. For most of the drive US 89 ran along the Yellowstone River, which was quite scenic. We departed Hardin a bit before 0900 and drove a short distance to Billings where we stopped at Sam's Club for some shopping. Sandi went next door to Cabelo's to pick up a few items. We then topped off the diesel tank at Sam's lower price (the Baileys, who left after...

Aug 29, 2011 - Back to Yellowstone for a week

On the way to Gardiner we stopped at Wilsall for lunch. This was a neat little town along Highway 89 that shows that a lot of local residents care about their town. We stopped at the local café and were surprised at how neat it looked inside. It is owned by a local rancher that serves their beef at the restaurant. They show their stock a lot and had lots of awards from the Denver Livestock show on the walls. Judie walked around and took photos of buildings in the town. We made a stop in Livingston to restock our food supply and then we...

Aug 22, 2011 - Yellowstone Nat'l Park

We are now camped at the Fishing Bridge Camp in Yellowstone. The biggest news the last few days is that a bison carcass floated down the Yellowstone River and Grizzly Bears and Wolves have been feeding on it. The pictures are from early morning and you can see the wolf on the shore and the grizzly bear in the water on the carcass in the fog just before sunrise. In Yellowstone there is an area that they call the Yellowstone Grand Canyon. These pictures of the Upper and Lower Falls are from that area. Also, the Osprey nest is also in that...

Aug 20, 2011 - Missoula MT through Yellowstone National Park

Some one on Facebook asked me what was in Missoula.....well the University of Montana, 66k+ population, the Clark Fork River and the world headquarters of the Boone and Crockett Club. The latter is actually quite interesting. It was started in 1887 by Teddy Roosevelt and 99 of his closest friends. It is dedicated to preserving our hunting heritage, scoring, and keeping big game records. They have a competition every 3 years for such things as the largest rack on a buck, whitetail deer, etc. Not really my cup of tea, but still very...

Aug 18, 2011 - Last 3 Days at Gardiner MT-Just Outside Yellowstone

We have made several early morning trips to Lamar Valley trying to locate animals. We have seen plenty of buffalo and also a bear each time that we have gone. The buffalo/bison aren't afraid of people cars or anything else. They will block the road until they are good and ready to move. One day we hiked to Grizzly Lake. It was beautiful with it's meadows and sloping inclines,the trail ends on a overlook of the lake. The trail was a switchback at certain points and also some wooded areas (for bears to hide in). Happy to report no bear...

Aug 17, 2011 - Yellowstone

Aug.15th, Hi All,Well we got up early today (one hour earlier than intended)and headed out for the Lamar Valley. We were told yesterday by voluteer at the Yellowstone Foundation that he saw 7 wolves there at 6:00am last Thursday and there are many other animals seen there also.So we left in the pitch black into the park down the twisting turning road up and around the mountains.It was about a 20mi.drive.Eventually we started to see Bison along side the road as it started getting lighter.Then they were right beside the road laying down...

Aug 15, 2011 - Animals -Waterfalls- Geysers

We left Gardiner before 5 a.m. to drive to Lamar Valley where we saw buffalo, Pronghorns and a bear. There were hundreds of bison/buffalo. It's hard to believe that they were almost extinct at one time. Diane spotted the bear but we couldn't tell if it was a Grizzly. Four Pronghorns crossed the road and started mingling with the bison. After our animal encounter we drove to the Tower Area and hiked to Tower Falls. There were quite a variety of wildflowers in bloom. We than drove to Sheepeater Cliff (which was basically a rock slide) and had...

Aug 14, 2011 - Yellowstone National Park-We Have Arrived

We arrived at Gardiner Montana this morning. This town is just outside of Yellowstone. Yesterday we visited the Bear Encounter so we spent the night at Bozeman. Tomorrow the plan is to be at the Park before 6:00 a.m. We were told today that a road in the park, if you are there early enough, you can see wolves, and bears. I would really like to see some wolves but bears - - -not so much. After the drive we will take a couple of hikes and possibly view some geysers. Next posting will hopefully have some terrific pictures. The pictures in...