Day 17: Yellowstone National Park

For those of you that don't know Yellowstone is the Nations first Park. The weather wasn't so great, but that made for easy driving in the park. We could stop and take pictures almost anytime and anywhere we wanted. I've heard that during the summer months the traffic is almost bumper to bumper and when people see wildlife it really backs things up. We saw almost saw every animal type in the park. Never did see any wolves. Probably too much snow left on the ground.

 First glimpse of wildlife. Reaction...whoa look at the buffalo. No children the proper term is bison.

A little closer. Whoa look at the buffalo.

 And even closer still.

 Had to see it.

 We got there right after it blew so we had to spend some time in the shop. Translation, Dad had to spend some money in the shop.

 Mary's a creeper.

 Snowball prep.
Dad is a rusty old hobo look a like mountain man that never shaves his face and enjoys growling at small children. (who's the creeper now?!) -from Mary:)

 More snowball prep. Girls stop throwing those at each other.

 Before...

After. Hurray, now we can go in from the cold. There was actually a viewing window from inside the visitors center, but we decided to brave it and stand out in the elements. We  had been talking about how the whole Yellowstone area was over volcanic activity and one of the girls asked  what would happen if Old Faithful shot out lava instead of water. Hmmm, it wouldn't be a good thing.

 We were here.

 A cool bench. I think these things and snow mobiles are the only way to get around in the winter.

 Big poppa.

 Hello...would you mind sharing the road?

 Goodbye.

 "Hey what's up with this guy? I'm outta here!"

 "Bet he won't come over here now."

 "Wonder what's for supper?"

 Right next to the road, just hanging out.

 My pretty girls.

 As I said there was lots of snow. This is just what was left.

 Run off from the hot springs into the river.

 It leaves some pretty cool mineral formations.

 Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow...I don't think that applied here. It was pretty vacant.

 One of the overlooks at the falls. Not sure which one.

 Becca, always working on a creation.

 Another one of the hot pools. The weather was so poor that we didn't get a real close look but the pools appreared to be blue, but they stunk like sulfer.

 Katherine is legit, with her cowboy buddy.

 Oh no mom, look out!

 Screech..

 Uh oh...
Just kidding, it was all staged.

 Big

 Medium

 Little

All we saw were doe elk.

 We saw several opreys. A couple of times ospreys and bald eagle were fussing at each other over fishing areas in the river.

 What a sweet couple.

 Not a real good one, but I had to throw the bald eagle in there.

 I don't even know what to say about this one.

 Just hand over the money and no one gets hurt.

 Has anyone seen the panda's other ear? (it's the coolest hat you will ever see)

 Just hand over the razor and no one gets hurt. (amen to that!!!)