My secret weapon: Yellowstone

We set out from Jackson early because I wanted to see Mormon Row Interesting place on the way out following the advice of my esteemed sisterinlaw Janet Hynes and I was hoping for better morning light for photos of the mountains.

The smoke was still thick, the valley was a haze and it was a crisp morning out but the buildings in Mormon Row did not disappoint.

It is an abandoned settlement and with the mountain as a backdrop they looked fabulous.

While we were exploring we noticed movement down the other end of the Row and there they were, hundreds of bison, crossing from one field to another.

Much pleasure!

Drove down there quickly. When they are running past your car eying you as they go, it is pretty awesome to see these huge beasts.

They seemed to stick to little family groups.

And so onward to Yellowstone. The ranger at the gate was a happy lady.

Our first stop was to look at the Lewis River, a very pretty sight at the bottom of the pine covered valley.

Lewis Falls were a pretty sight just off the road. Here I am blocking the view to them haha

But here are the Falls

We went on to West Thumb and looked around some of the thermal pools there.

The information centre lady informed us that Old Faithful was due to blow at 2pm so we forged ahead and became part of the large crowd assembled to watch.

Well, it was only a geyser but certainly the most famous in the world. We bypassed most of the other geyser activity although a few stops for photographs here and there.

As we headed toward West Yellowstone we stopped when we saw others with their cameras out.

Fabulous views of elk, bison, eagle ( young bald eagle?)

and a real genuine Bald Eagle

all posing for us and seven ducklings

and their mum allowed me to get within a few feet on the sides of the Madison River.

We finally made it to West Yellowstone, staying at Kelly's Inn, which had carved bears climbing all over it, and decor inside was appropriate to the theme

We were tired again but very pleased with the first day in the big park. Dinner at Buckaroo Bills with the covered wagon tables out the back round the campfire.