9/4/13 Mammoth to Old Faithful

We departed Mammoth Hot Springs and traveled approximately 83 miles to Old Faithful.  

We took a short detour on our way and crossed over into Montana for some lunch and then continued on, stopping by the Painted Pots.
 

 

Old Faithful - view from the boardwalk at sunset...

NEXT POST: 9/5/13 - Old Faithful to Jackson, WY

9/3/13 - Yellowstone National Park - Mammoth Hot Springs

We traveled approximately 142 miles on this day, entering Yellowstone National Park around 10:30 a.m., reaching heights of 9300 feet above sea level; lunch at Elk Valley Lodge.

We arrived at Mammoth Lodge at 4:30 p.m. and the temperature was 85 degrees - oh, how nice that temp sounds on this snowy winter day!  When we arrived in our hotel room, Bob said how much it reminded him of the movie "The Shining"....yikes!

NO TV! 

NO A/C!  

 

Later that evening in our "Bates Hotel" room, Bob decided to practice his elk calling abilities - which, by the way, is illegal...just in case you're ever there, DO NOT try to call in the elk!  I think Bob was quite surprised when one lone male elk started bugling back to his call!

You could be kicked out of the park {BOB!}. 

 

 

The highlights for me were the travertine terraces and for Bob it was the overall landscape of Yellowstone.

Simply amazing!

NEXT POST: 9/4/13 - Mammoth to Old Faithful

9/3/13 - Parks & Canyons Continued!! Cody to Yellowstone

We began our day at the Buffalo Bill Museum, Cody, WY.  WOW, what a spectacular collection of exhibits, including game, guns (thousands of guns!), Native American items, old west, etc.

 This is the car that Bob took a chance on but didn't win (insert sad face)...

This is the HAPPY FACE that would've been seen for a LOOOOOOONNNGGG time if Bob would've won the above car!

Happy husband, happy... - oh wait, that's happy WIFE, happy LIFE!  :)

We departed from Buffalo Bill Museum at 10:00 a.m. bound for Yellowstone...constantly on the lookout for the elusive game that we kept hearing about (buffalo, elk, moose, mountain goats, etc.).  

Up to this point we hadn't seen much in terms of game we were all on high alert - staring out the window hoping to spot anything that moved!

Next thing you know, as we're traveling along at a nice clip, these guys decided they wanted us to share the highway...

 Let's just say that we were VERY happy that we were in the bus and NOT on a motorcycle!!

As I sat sideways in my seat taking in the beauty as we traveled, I was lucky to capture THIS through the bus window. I think I sat sideways for most of the trip with camera in hand and for good reason!

YAY! We finally spotted a huge gathering of buffalo so we pulled off the road momentarily to get some great photos!

TAIL IN THE AIR - you better run for cover!  It doesn't mean what you probably think it means!

According to Mary, our tour director, Buffalo have been known to "charge" when the tail goes in the air!

Back on the bus in a BIG hurry and off to another scenic stop on our way to Yellowstone...

NEXT POST: 9/3/13 - Yellowstone/Mammoth Hot Springs