JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING

Jackson, Wyoming is a cute little cowboy town. Everything is cowboys or elk stuff.

This is the entrance to the park. Notice the entrance way - it is made entirely out of elk antlers. There was one of these on every corner.

If you want to bring someone a nice gift, you can get them a little cowgirl outfit. Or maybe a racoon skin hat (who wouldn't want that?).

Or, you can bring them a sheriff's badge with their name on it.

The most popular spot in town appears to be the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.

I believe it is some kind of landmark.

It wasn't even noon and people were already bellied up to the bar.

All the barstools are saddles!

They will also make you a sandwich when you are done drinking. Unfortunately, there was no elk sandwich today. They only had the buffalo!!

I find it strange that they offer an elk sandwich when about 100 steps away there is the National Elk Refuge! Something is just wrong about that.

As I continued my travels through Wyoming, I came across this Osprey nest. The mother was just coming in to feed the baby.

First she gave the little brat a peck on the cheek. He was screaming for lunch!

After feeding him, he quieted down.

She sat around for a while, then became bored with her offsrping and left the nest.

There are quite a few wild horses in Wyoming. It is a common sight to see the horses, elk, moose, and a lot of antelope.

For the last time this trip, I crossed the Continental Divide.

GRAND TETONS (and, they are mighty grand!)

Outside of Yellowstone, you get a magnificent view of the Grand Tetons.  What a beautiful drive!!

 

 

 

The Grand Tetons. Not a bad view with the buffalo in the foreground.

 

BREATHTAKING!

 

 

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Yellowstone National Park was created by an Act of Congress on March 1, 1872, “For the benefit and enjoyment of the People.” Enjoyment is an understatement!! It might be the most amazing place I have ever been.

Free roaming animals are abundant in Yellowstone.  This was an unusually large black bear.

These black and white magpies are all over. It is a beautiful bird.

These varmints are all over too!

Elk are a common sight. You can get close to them, but too close and they walk away.

Antelope are plentiful in the park. (Or maybe these are gazelles.)

The coyotes are very shy and run when they see you. 

The second you enter Yellowstone, you start to see buffalo. They have huge herds there.

They all do something odd. They throw themselves down on the ground and roll in the dirt.

Also, from the moment you enter, until the moment you exit, you see raging waterfalls. There were so many, I just put a couple here.

Something interesting about Yellowstone is that there is a bunch of things that steam, bubble up and erupt. This is the most famous of the geysers - Old Faithful. Every hour and a half, it erupts.

This was another steaming geyser.

This was called the Dragon's Mouth. It appears to be a cave, but spews out steam. It does look like a dragon!

This is a bubbling vat of sulphur. The smell overwhelms you when you walk up to it.

Another steaming vat of something.

This was bubbling, steaming mud.

The scenery in and around Yellowstone seems unreal. It is all so beautiful, with so many lakes and streams. This first lake was still frozen.

Excellent spot for a picnic; I just have to watch for any buffalo creeping up on me.

This was the second time I crossed the Continental Divide on this trip.

 

Oh, yeah! Life is good!

 

 

Seriously, how can life be any better than watching the sun set from Yellowstone National Park? (Okay, the Grand Canyon runs a close second!)