by

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Last night as the kids were falling asleep, Sarah looked out the window and saw some elk grazing next to the river!  Then at 10 o’clock there was an impromptu fireworks display!  We had all agreed on a light breakfast for today to try to get into the park earlier.  So…

We arrived at the entrance today at 8:45 and it only took five minutes to get into the park.  We quickly arrived at Mammoth Hot Springs and were able to get a parking space and explore the terraces.  The terraces are created by thermal waters bubbling through the limestone and leaving mineral deposits behind.  Because of this, the terraces are always changing.  At the moment, the very top of the stairs is where the newest terraces are being formed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were all glad that we had done this before it got too hot.  There are some pretty steep steps and Fionnuala (5) pooped out before the top.

After finding the crowd at the entrance so much lighter, we thought that we would try Tower Fall too!  Again, we had a large choice of parking places today!  We walked to view the impressive Fall and then went a bit of the way down to the river before turning back.  We used the restroom and had a look around the General Store where Liam and Fionnuala each got a stamped penny.  Liam’s penny has an elk on it and Fionnuala’s has the Roosevelt Arch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next, we headed toward Fishing Bridge while keeping an eye open for a picnic area.  When we got to Canyon Village, again, we discover much lighter traffic than yesterday’s gigantic traffic jam.  The road from Canyon to Fishing Bridge was a dream for animal spotting, bison were frequent and we also saw lots of elk.  We passed Mud Volcano and saw no room at the Otter Creek picnic area, so we continued on to the Nez Perce Ford picnic area.  I’m glad that we ended up here, it was a really pretty setting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I noticed buffalo chips on the ground when we got out of the car.  As we ate, my mother noticed that almost all of the bark had been rubbed off of the trees around us.  After we had finished eating, the children went down to look at the Yellowstone River with their Grandfather.  After that they were examining the trees with their mother and discovered bison fur in the sap.  They thought it was a really cool discovery!

After lunch we headed to the Fishing Bridge Visitor Center.  The main purpose was to get Liam’s Passport stamped, but they also have nice displays on the birds of Yellowstone.

From Fishing Bridge we went to the Mud Volcano.  On the way, this bison was almost closest enough to the car that I could touch it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We started at the end of the loop nearest Mud Volcano.  Liam noticed bison prints next to the boardwalk as we approached.  When we got to the Mud Volcano, much to our surprise there was a bison lying next to it!  As we proceeded around the loop we saw three more bison!  At the end we headed to see the Dragon’s Mouth and it was really cool!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After Mud Volcano we started back to Gardiner.  Along the way it was a virtual safari!  In addition to the multiple herds of bison and elk  that we saw, there was a wildlife jam for a bear (which Sarah and I saw).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After that there was another wildlife jam for what we think was wolves (which we just missed), and a third for an animal that ran off just as we arrived.  It was a drive full of animals all the way to the park exit!  Definitely our best wildlife day so far.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and as always… elk were in Mammoth Hot Springs to bid us adieu (we saw elk each time we were in Mammoth!).

 

Liam’s Highlight of the Day:  The Dragon’s Mouth

by