YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
26 september through 29 september

We saved the best for last. Eight years ago we were also in Yellowstone National Park but had much to short time for it. That is why we always intended to come back and spend enough time in this park. And that is now going to happen. To be sure of accommodation we booked that well in advance. And that was a good idea because a lot of it (that is not already closed) is full. That is because it happens to be the weekend and it is more than 20 degrees (over 68 Fahrenheit). And it could normally be snowing right now.
Park management is also dumbfounded by this ridicules good weather because most of the services close this weekend (as planned). It is finally hot enough to long for ice cream and now they already switched off the freezer in the cafeteria because it is the end of season!

We start our visit in Mammoth Hot Springs. The next night we will stay in a cabin at Lake Yellowstone and finally stay in the beautiful Old Faithful Inn. In the Inn we have a room in the 100 year old building. It is a room without bathroom because in the old days they had a chamber pot and wash-basin in the room.

But we start at Mammoth Hot Springs. We are all astonishment of what we see. We were very much looking forward to this since it was so pretty in our memory. But almost all the terraces are dried out and bleached. Minerva terrace, which was one of highlights eight years ago, is nothing anymore. Completely white and dry. It is now very dull. Fortunately it is still teeming with wildlife around here.
A herd of elk has gathered on the lawn and a younger male comes to challenge the bull. Two days ago it came to a fight between the two rivals. But not today unfortunately but it still is quit a spectacle.

It seems like all the bison have gathered in Haydn Valley. About ten herds are visible at the same time. This is how it must have looked like before the great extirpation.
We make so much pictures of bison that I say that from now on I will only take pictures of a large herd that crosses a river.
And much to our excitement that happens the next morning. We see a large herd of bison crossing the Yellowstone River. It is so deep that they actually have to swim. It goes on and on and takes about an hour. Once on the other side the steam is visible from their warm bodies since it still freezing. And with back light it looks magical.

In the morning it freezes a little and therefore the steam of all the geothermal features is spectacular. Of course we go watch Old Faithful. It shoots exactly on time and shows a nice rainbow. Because we have plenty of time we climb the opposite hill to watch the spectacle from above as well.

Personally we think that Yellowstone is one of the most beautiful places on earth. The bison, the other wildlife, the astonishing colors of the hot springs etc. etc. And the fall is definitely the best time to see it. Certainly if the weather is helping so well. Today it is even more than 25 degrees (75 Fahrenheit). Alas, there is always a time to go. We are very lucky to see a herd of elk between Madison and the West Entrance. A bull stands in the river and is being challenged by two young rivals. After a lot of power display and water splashing the older bull nevertheless wins.

Next: Garnet Ghost Town