A pyramid of animal skulls and antlers
outside a store.
outside a store.
The hypnotic pull of Devil's Tower
National Monument amid the grasslands
and ponderosa pine forests of the Black
Hills in extreme northern Wyoming is
real. We spied it from about 30 miles
away on I-90 and were compelled to turn
back and drive to its base. No alien
spaceships though!
National Monument amid the grasslands
and ponderosa pine forests of the Black
Hills in extreme northern Wyoming is
real. We spied it from about 30 miles
away on I-90 and were compelled to turn
back and drive to its base. No alien
spaceships though!
A native American sacred site, tribal lore
tells the story that the rock arose to
protect seven sisters pursued by a bear.
The bear's claw marks are the striations
in the rock face, and the sisters, thrust
into the sky, became the Pleiades, aka
the seven stars of the Big Dipper.
tells the story that the rock arose to
protect seven sisters pursued by a bear.
The bear's claw marks are the striations
in the rock face, and the sisters, thrust
into the sky, became the Pleiades, aka
the seven stars of the Big Dipper.
The monolith rises 867 feet from its
base. Formed 60 million years ago, a
mass of molten rock forced its way
upward from the earth's surface. It
slowly cooled, cracked and fractured.
The softer sedimentary sides long ago
eroded away, leaving the tower.
base. Formed 60 million years ago, a
mass of molten rock forced its way
upward from the earth's surface. It
slowly cooled, cracked and fractured.
The softer sedimentary sides long ago
eroded away, leaving the tower.
A magnet for climbers, there are over 200
routes to the scrubby acre-and-a-half at the
summit. A voluntary climbing ban is
observed in June out of respect for multiple
Native American ceremonies.
routes to the scrubby acre-and-a-half at the
summit. A voluntary climbing ban is
observed in June out of respect for multiple
Native American ceremonies.
The rolling hills of this 1,347 acre park
abound in deer, prairie dogs, and
other wildlife.
abound in deer, prairie dogs, and
other wildlife.
We loved watching the sociable black
tailed prairie dogs in their colony
nicknamed "Prairie Dog Town".
tailed prairie dogs in their colony
nicknamed "Prairie Dog Town".
The critters excavate elaborate networks
of underground passageways,
of underground passageways,
then guard their burrows with warning
"barks"
"barks"
One could spend hours watching the
busy, playful prairie dogs pop up from
their borrow holes and 'chirp' excitedly.
busy, playful prairie dogs pop up from
their borrow holes and 'chirp' excitedly.
when predators such as hawks, eagles,
bullsnakes, coyote, redfox, and mink
come too close.
bullsnakes, coyote, redfox, and mink
come too close.
They were fascinating and one of the
most charming moments of this vacation.
most charming moments of this vacation.
We had our own 'close encounter' in
the grasslands just outside the park
entrance.
the grasslands just outside the park
entrance.
Check out the lop-sided horn on the
left bull. An alien cow, perhaps?
left bull. An alien cow, perhaps?
Over 375,000 travelers visit Devil's
Tower annually - almost as many
people as live in the state of Wyoming.
July, 2011
Tower annually - almost as many
people as live in the state of Wyoming.
July, 2011
We stopped in at Cheyenne's Frontier
Days, a ten-day carnival of rodeos,
wild-horse races, marching bands,
Days, a ten-day carnival of rodeos,
wild-horse races, marching bands,
big-name country and rock concerts,
inter-tribal Indian dancing, a
chuck-wagon cook-off, pancake
breakfast and parades.
inter-tribal Indian dancing, a
chuck-wagon cook-off, pancake
breakfast and parades.
About 500,000 visitors attend annually
and over 1,800 of the toughest cowboys
compete in events like bull riding, calf
roping, steer wrestling, and of course
saddle and bareback bronc riding, for a
purse of $1 million split among the
winners.
and over 1,800 of the toughest cowboys
compete in events like bull riding, calf
roping, steer wrestling, and of course
saddle and bareback bronc riding, for a
purse of $1 million split among the
winners.
We enjoyed watching these future
rodeo stars on a mechanical bull as we
ate our BBQ pulled pork sandwiches.
rodeo stars on a mechanical bull as we
ate our BBQ pulled pork sandwiches.
We spent three awe-filled days at
Yellowstone National Park which
contains about two thirds of all the
geysers in the world.
July, 2011
Yellowstone National Park which
contains about two thirds of all the
geysers in the world.
July, 2011
this wild wonderland of geothermal
magnificence spreads 3,472 square
miles across the states of Wyoming,
Montana, and Idaho.
magnificence spreads 3,472 square
miles across the states of Wyoming,
Montana, and Idaho.
hissing fumaroles, and steaming hot
springs.
springs.
Of all the geysers, Old Faithful is the
superstar, sending a spray up to 184
feet into the air every 70 to 90 minutes.
The steamy plume lasts 2 to 5 minutes
and spurts nearly 8,400 gallons of water
per eruption.
superstar, sending a spray up to 184
feet into the air every 70 to 90 minutes.
The steamy plume lasts 2 to 5 minutes
and spurts nearly 8,400 gallons of water
per eruption.
The scale of the place is amazing.
2.2 million acres of steaming hot
springs, crystalline lakes, and
thundering waterfalls.
2.2 million acres of steaming hot
springs, crystalline lakes, and
thundering waterfalls.
The park sits atop one of the largest
active volcanoes on earth, a "hot spot"
that last erupted some 640,000 years
ago, carving out a caldera 28 miles wide
and 53 miles long.
active volcanoes on earth, a "hot spot"
that last erupted some 640,000 years
ago, carving out a caldera 28 miles wide
and 53 miles long.
Fountains of scalding water burst high
into the air from some geysers, while
others bubble and spit in murky depths.
into the air from some geysers, while
others bubble and spit in murky depths.
The combination of geysers, mud pools,
fumaroles and hot springs act as
pressure valves, releasing the heat and
steam that build up below the ground.
fumaroles and hot springs act as
pressure valves, releasing the heat and
steam that build up below the ground.
Hot springs gleam in shades of
emergency green and blue.
emergency green and blue.
Algae and bacteria withstand boiling
temperatures to create these vivid
colors.
temperatures to create these vivid
colors.
Despite their cool colors, mineral springs
are boiling hot, and the solid looking
crusts around geyser formations can be
remarkably fragile.
are boiling hot, and the solid looking
crusts around geyser formations can be
remarkably fragile.
Vigorous steam vents emit uncanny
sounds and smells.
sounds and smells.
Norris Geyser Basin boardwalks and
trails lead across this barren valley of
steam vents and rainbow-colored pools.
trails lead across this barren valley of
steam vents and rainbow-colored pools.
Elk linger contentedly near the terraces
at Mammoth Hot Springs.
at Mammoth Hot Springs.
Miles of boardwalks, paved trails and
driving loops allow visitors to come
within close proximity of these active
volcanic formations.
driving loops allow visitors to come
within close proximity of these active
volcanic formations.
Geothermal curiosities aren't the only
thing Yellowstone has to offer: it's
natural diversity and abundant wildlife
are some of the greatest on earth.
thing Yellowstone has to offer: it's
natural diversity and abundant wildlife
are some of the greatest on earth.
We saw this little group in the same spot
two days in a row
two days in a row
Yellowstone is home to more than 3,900
bison.
bison.
Mammoth Hot Springs are characterized
by terrace formations created by
limestone deposits.
by terrace formations created by
limestone deposits.
Hundreds of geothermal springs bubble up,
forming colored pools of mineral rich water.
forming colored pools of mineral rich water.
The bison roam freely across the park,
often even disrupting traffic.
often even disrupting traffic.
Despite their docile appearance, bison
can be dangerous. They stand six feet
tall and can weight 2,000 lbs.
can be dangerous. They stand six feet
tall and can weight 2,000 lbs.
We spotted this bison scratching an itch
with a tree trunk!
with a tree trunk!
The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
River provides some of the park's most
breathtaking views.
River provides some of the park's most
breathtaking views.
The Yellowstone region took its name
from the dramatic gold-hued cliffs
lining the river canyon.
from the dramatic gold-hued cliffs
lining the river canyon.
Uncle Tom's Trail descends about
halfway toward the base of the Lower
Falls, dropping down a steep staircase
to a platform offering a close up view of
the rapids.
halfway toward the base of the Lower
Falls, dropping down a steep staircase
to a platform offering a close up view of
the rapids.
Twenty four miles long and up to 1,200
feet deep, the canyon begins with the
dramatic Lower Falls, which cascade
308 feet (nearly twice as high as
Niagara Falls) into the river below.
feet deep, the canyon begins with the
dramatic Lower Falls, which cascade
308 feet (nearly twice as high as
Niagara Falls) into the river below.
Impressive racks are the hallmark of the
region's bull elk. They can run up to 35
mph and weigh up to 1,000 lbs. Some
20,000 elk roam through the area.
region's bull elk. They can run up to 35
mph and weigh up to 1,000 lbs. Some
20,000 elk roam through the area.
Moose are horse-sized swamp lovers.
They are often found wallowing among
the willows.
They are often found wallowing among
the willows.
There are over 1,200 miles of hiking
trails amidst some of the most
pristine wilderness in America.
trails amidst some of the most
pristine wilderness in America.
While bison may look large and lethargic,
this shaggy, bearded and horned animal
can gallop 32 mph!
this shaggy, bearded and horned animal
can gallop 32 mph!
Yellowstone Lake covers 136 square
miles, with 110 miles of shoreline, and a
maximum depth of more than 300 feet.
It's home to the continent's largest
population of wild cutthroat trout.
miles, with 110 miles of shoreline, and a
maximum depth of more than 300 feet.
It's home to the continent's largest
population of wild cutthroat trout.
The country's oldest National Park,
established by Congress in 1872,
established by Congress in 1872,
Heated by this vast subterranean
magma chamber, the Yellowstone
valley continues to steam and vent.
magma chamber, the Yellowstone
valley continues to steam and vent.
Visitors flock to see the park's 300
geysers, 10,000 bubbling mud pools,
geysers, 10,000 bubbling mud pools,
This is the oldest and hottest
geothermal area in the park, with
water temperatures above 200
degrees.
geothermal area in the park, with
water temperatures above 200
degrees.
Mule deer are graceful and plentiful,
roaming in small herds throughout the
park.
roaming in small herds throughout the
park.
The mineral content drapes delicate
curtains of marble-like travertine over
the cascading terraces of stone.
curtains of marble-like travertine over
the cascading terraces of stone.
Lingering evidence of wildfires.
The Smith Mansion (aka the Crazy House)
sits high above the Buffalo Bill Scenic
Byway in Wapiti, Wyoming between Cody
and a Yellowstone Park entrance.
sits high above the Buffalo Bill Scenic
Byway in Wapiti, Wyoming between Cody
and a Yellowstone Park entrance.
The Grand Tetons.