24th May 2025
Before I start today’s Post, there’s one thing left over from yesterday’s!
Last night we decided to take a quick drive to Mormon Row to see if Si could get any decent sunset shots of the Tetons and the famous T. Moulton Barn. This was more of an experiment really as he doesn’t usually photograph straight into the sun. This is one of the shots.
Sunset at Mormon Row and the T. Moulton Barn
Also, while we were there a newly married couple arrived for photographs. We don’t know them but it seems fitting to include them.
The Happy Couple!
The Happy Bride!
So, to today’s adventure.
Another early start today! We were up and out at 6.00 a.m. for our trip to Hayden Valley in Yellowstone National Park. This was another first for us as we have never stopped there before. It took two hours to get to drive there and for most of the journey it was just us on the roads. .
It was chilly at first, 35ºF (1.6ºC) and on the way to Yellowstone we had snow ❄️ and rain. 🌧️It didn’t bode well for the day but I’m pleased to say the day turned around and we ended up with a hot sunny day with a top temperature of 70ºF (21ºC). 🌞
On our drive to Yellowstone we saw Elk, Pronghorn Antelope and Bison. Once in the park we saw loads of bison 🦬 and the rear end of a bear 🐻but it was too far away to photograph! 😂
Elk
Bison on the way to Yellowstone
Yellowstone River
We were surprised how much snow there still was, much more than here in the Tetons. Lewis Lake (named after one of the explorers Lewis and Clarke) was still partly frozen over. Yellowstone has a high average elevation, around 8,000 feet (2,400 meters) above sea level.
Lewis Lake Frozen
Along the way we passed over the Continental Divide. A line of high ground, often a mountain range, that separates where rivers and streams flow on a continent. Basically, it’s the line that divides whether water flows towards one ocean or another. In North America, the Continental Divide primarily runs through the Rocky Mountains, and it separates water flowing towards the Pacific Ocean from water flowing towards the Atlantic or Arctic Oceans.
The Continental Divide
Our first stop was at the Fishing Bridge Mud Pots.
Steam from the Mud Pots
Mud Pot
Dragon’s Mouth Spring
We also saw this lovely little bird. Sadly, we do not know what it is!
The Hayden Valley.
The photographer at Hayden Valley
The Photographer’s Assistant at Hayden Valley
We had breakfast at Canyon Village where we met a President Trump supporter and his wife. We spent a very interesting 20 minutes chatting with them. He actually went to both of the President’s Inaugurations.
We decided to drive on to the Old Faithful Inn where we watched the Old Faithful Geyser erupt from the boardwalk behind the geyser instead of the front as most people do. Another first for us.
He’s watching Old Faithful erupt!
Old Faithful erupting
Solidified mud!
On the way back to Dornan’s we suddenly came upon a rather long traffic jam. We thought there must be traffic lights or an accident but it turned out to be a rather cheeky bison 🦬walking down the middle of the road. He was in no hurry to get anywhere and he made sure we wouldn’t be going anywhere in a hurry either! It took 30 minutes to clear the traffic. Still, it is his home after all.
Bison Traffic Jam
To finish with, here are two interesting photos we took today.
Just a random cloud
Downpour just outside Jackson
Tomorrow it is our intention to hike around Colter Bay and fingers crossed, grab a glimpse of Blondie and her cub.🤞At least we won’t have such an early start to our day. Perhaps have breakfast in bed for a change! One can only hope! 😉
Hope you can join us again tomorrow for more adventures.