September 5, 2016 Madison Campground

September 5, 2016

Madison Campground

A bit of rain last night and the temp was around 37 degrees.  There was a dusting of snow in the higher elevations.

I crawled out of bed after 7, late for me, a good nights sleep.

Too cold and rainy to make breakfast so I headed out to the camp store for a sausage biscuit. Reloaded the cooler with ice and was on my way.

I went toward Mammoth and then beyond, I found a dirt road that you were allowed to travel and so off road I went. Very little wildlife all morning, I had pulled to the side to take a “Dead Tree Silhouette”, when a jeep I recognized drove by. I waved and then took off after it. Dan and his wife, whom I had met a few days prior were out searching for wildlife. We talked of the lack of activity and he suggested Lamar Valley. I hadn’t been there before and so with Dan leading we drove the Valley. He pointed out an Osprey nest as a good spot if all else fails. That was about all we saw. We parted ways and said we may meet up again later. We had exchanged information previously. Check out his pictures on his website.

I headed back to Madison by way of the canyon and ran into a couple of Longhorn Sheep. Saw a few hawks but could not pull over.

Took in the various sites as I traveled down by the Towers. Had a Japanese couple ask me to take their picture with their phone, they were very grateful, put a smile on my face.

Then it started to rain and snow as I got closer to my campsite. When I arrived the clouds had cleared and the sun was out, not for long. More rain, then it cleared up we will see what transpires tonight.

Tomorrow I move up to Mammoth and explore the north end more thoroughly.

September 4, 2016 Yellowstone Madison

September 4, 2016

Yellowstone Madison

Got up early and went west in search of wildlife. I had scene some elk a ways off the night before. I found a couple on the side of the road. There was a herd further down the road but they were to far away to get any shots.

I then doubled back and went south to West Thumb; this completed my circle of the southern loop of the park. On the return trip I stopped in at Old Faithful, I arrived in time to see the afternoon eruption again. I will be processing those later.

Spoke with a Ranger at Red Thumb and was informed that we should get a dusting of snow tonight. We have had a bit of rain this afternoon. So I will be bundling up tonight.

Still no Internet connection and my phone has used up all of the roaming for the month. Until I reach civilization again I am cut off from the world.

I am really beginning to enjoy this way too much. This could very easily become a way of life, with the proper equipment.

Tomorrow will be my last day in this part of the park. I am planning on retracing part of my drive here and a portion of the northern loop. Again I will be out seeking wildlife and nice scenery.

Hope you are all enjoying this weekend.

September 3, 2016 Yellowstone Madison

September 3, 2016

Yellowstone Madison

Left Bridge Bay Campground and Headed to Madison.

Encountered an Owl as I left the campground.

I had packed everything for the move so I went to the store for an Amish Cinnamon bun for breakfast.

Then I went in search of wildlife. Found some Bison and a Black Bear, after I made a wrong turn and ended up thirty miles in the wrong direction.

Turned around and went back. Finally found my new home for the next three nights. I set up the tent and then went to see Old Faithful. Only had to wit around thirty minutes for it to erupt. Not as crowded as I thought it would be for this weekend.

Due to fires in the park and surrounding areas no fires are allowed. Tonight, I coated some chicken breasts with Garlic Dude Dust and sautéed them in butter. They came out perfect.

Tomorrow I will explore this side of the park and see what wonders and wildlife await me.

September 2, 2016 Yellowstone

September 2, 2016

Yellowstone

Grizzly in the morning.

I woke up to 39-degree temperature and got up to find some wildlife. First the “usual” Buffalo, then I caught sight of an elk. Moving further into the canyon Grizzlies. Two of them in the Yellowstone River feeding on the carcass of a Buffalo, I took some good pictures.

After watching them for an hour or so, I came back and cooked breakfast.

I was tuckered out from the day before so I worked on some pictures and read.

I then explored some more of the area.

Then I came back and read some more.

Went out in the evening to see if the grizzlies would return, they didn’t. But I had a nice chat with a fellow photographer.

Came back to find an 8 point buck a couple of campsites from mine. He was very nice; he stood around posing for me.

Tomorrow I will go searching for more wildlife and will change campgrounds. I am also going to go see Old Faithful.

September 1, 2016 Cody to Yellowstone

September 1, 2016

Cody to Yellowstone

Had a real nice ride up to Yellowstone. Would have stopped more along the way but I was a little concerned with having a campsite. So I jammed through and was able to get 2 nights at Bridge Bay and 3 at Madison, which gets me through Labor Day and after that should be no problem.

So then I went exploring. Starting at about 7000 feet and up, I put in almost 15000 steps including 40 fights of stairs. Good I quit smoking last August. Saw Buffalo, Deer, Elk, Hawks, Swans and more.

People with cameras everywhere, and when there is a grizzly the traffic stops dead.

Beautiful sunset, I am camped right across the road from Yellowstone Lake and have a view of it from my campsite. I went out to find a good spot for the sunset and ended up in front of my campsite, after a forty-minute drive.

No bears bothered me last night, the temperature dropped to 39 degrees this morning. The thunderstorms never developed and the sky cleared up late and the stars were out. Last I heard the forecast for tonight may involve snow.

Hope you are all having a nice Labor Day weekend.