West Yellowstone to Sheridan, Wyoming

"See the world. It's more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories." Rudyard Kipling

Yellowstone National Park was our destination, and we spent the whole of our day enjoying it. We awoke to a wolf saluting the morning from deep within the park. Its whooping cry was motivation for getting up and getting out the door. At the park gates, we used our National Parks senior pass for the first time, (lifetime fee $10), which waived our $25 entrance fee. What a great deal!

There were pros and cons to visiting the park in April. Many of the roads are still closed because of snow. And that included the one we had hoped to take into Wyoming. Instead, we had to take the north exit back into Montana which added some miles to our day. But, on the positive side we had a private showing of an Old Faithful eruption at 9:30 AM and very few cars on roads which are ordinarily bumper to bumper.

The steam vents were spewing into the cool, crisp air, and they were fuller and more robust than in the summer months. The hot water pools were bubbling and clear, reflecting the blue of the sky. The taste and smell of sulphur came and went. We had a picnic overlooking a waterfall which was roaring with spring runoff.

There were large bison herds in several places, flowing across the road. We did some herding with the Boxster, edging them out of the way so we could pass. One particularly big and beautiful beast could have posed for the nickel.

There were elk herds, and a type of goat we couldn't identify. The highlight was coming around a corner and seeing a gray wolf standing in the road waiting for us with a disdainful stare: "you will stop for pedestrians". Once he had our attention, he loped off without posing for a photo.

We exited the park through the historic Roosevelt Arch, the cornerstone of which was laid by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903. "For the benefit and enjoyment of the people" is inscribed across the top. Thank you, Mr. President, for your foresight.

We definitely saw the buffalo roaming and a few antelope playing. There was though, a discouraging word, .over the size of my suitcase.

Happy Birthday to Sean!

Odometer Running Total: 1001
States: Montana, Wyoming  Total: 4