Friday, July 6, 2007

Wing Ding Day 7 Beartooth Pass and Yellowstone




Billie and I joined our group at 5 AM and drove to Wyoming to see Yellowstone Park. We went through Beartooth Gap on our way there and the scenery is breathtaking. We topped out at over 14,000 feet I think. We were up above the tree line and where there is still snow banks from the winter.

We saw a multitude of wildlife today. Starting with white pelicans, yes pelicans. I knew they were migratory but I didn't know that they came this far north and this far inland. We also saw wild turkeys, red-wing black birds, a wood pecker, a couple of hawks, a couple of sea gulls, ground squirrels, deer, a moose, a coyote, herds of elk and so many bison that we couldn't count them.


We road through mountain passes and climbed to new heights while seeing a beauty that is hard to describe. I'm not even sure the pictures will do it justice. The diverse topography of this day's ride is so amazing. We experienced a wide range of temperatures today from about 55 degrees when we were on the road this morning to a high in the low 90's during the day but it varied with the altitude.
Many of the bison were either on the road or very close to it. At three times we were stopped waiting for them to clear the road.




We saw Old Faithful erupt with its billowing tower of water and steam. Something that everyone coming this close to Yellowstone should see.
We didn't get back to our hotel until 11:30 (18 and a half hours and 450+ miles) and I am ready for the bed as soon as I can get a couple of pictures posted on this blog.
What a wonderful day... I wouldn't have missed this for anything.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

These views are breath-taking!