We drove across Montana to Yellowstone National Park. The terrain varied from tall craggy mountains to golden rolling hills and along the way we passed Hebgen Lake where, in 1959, there was an earthquake that dammed the lake and affected Yellowstone geysers. We met our good friends Mary Margaret and Galen Schelb who drove over from Ashland, Oregon to tour the park with us for a few days. We are staying in the park at Canyon Lodge for three nights which we chose for the central location.
We drove up to Mammoth Hot Springs this morning and saw our first bison along the way. We found out from a park ranger that the bison herd was down to 23 in 1902 because hunting was allowed. They finally stopped the slaughter and introduced some breeding stock to bring back the herd. Now you see bison everywhere. I was surprised to hear that they ever allowed hunting in a national park.
About half of Yellowstone is in a huge crater that measures 35 miles by 45 miles left by a volcano that erupted 640,000 years ago which accounts for the amazing thermal features. The stone terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs are formed when thousands of gallons of mineral laden hot water are deposited daily from deep beneath the earth. Near Mammoth we saw a herd of mostly female elk grazing in front of a church. No close up moose yet.
We drove down to Yellowstone Lake to look for wild life and a bison, who was grazing beside the road, decided to cross right by our car. He came close by Bob’s open window and gave a snort as he passed. Bob was able to get off a few shots at close range!
We drove up to Mammoth Hot Springs this morning and saw our first bison along the way. We found out from a park ranger that the bison herd was down to 23 in 1902 because hunting was allowed. They finally stopped the slaughter and introduced some breeding stock to bring back the herd. Now you see bison everywhere. I was surprised to hear that they ever allowed hunting in a national park.
About half of Yellowstone is in a huge crater that measures 35 miles by 45 miles left by a volcano that erupted 640,000 years ago which accounts for the amazing thermal features. The stone terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs are formed when thousands of gallons of mineral laden hot water are deposited daily from deep beneath the earth. Near Mammoth we saw a herd of mostly female elk grazing in front of a church. No close up moose yet.
We drove down to Yellowstone Lake to look for wild life and a bison, who was grazing beside the road, decided to cross right by our car. He came close by Bob’s open window and gave a snort as he passed. Bob was able to get off a few shots at close range!
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