This is the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Up at this altitude, the temperature was in the mid 30's! And though it was snowing, this was taken during a break in the snow.
The bull elk relaxing in the grass
Time to get up
A little stretch
We got to see a bear! A ranger was nearby telling people that we're too close and if he tells us to move out, then we need to move NOW.
The Sheepeater Indians that lived in Yellowstone long ago were named this because they used the Big Horn Sheep horns to make better bows. They soaked the horns in the hot springs to soften them then they would shape them. They also used the obsidian (glass like volcanic rock from the obsidian cliff in Yellowstone) to make arrowheads and cutting tools to use and sell. Obsidian is harder than surgical steel.
Sheridan Island in Yellowstone Lake.
The Golden Gate Bridge was once made of wood. It was constructed to save people a 1/2 day's travel through the canyon.
Roaring Mountain
The land around the "Roaring Mountain" looks like it's covered with snow, but it's just the minerals that were deposited there that makes it white!! It's almost an 'other worldly' effect.
These trees are in the process of becoming petrified. They soak up the mineral with the water which kills them, but it also preserves them.
Calcite Springs overlook and the Yellowstone River "the narrows" in the next 4 pictures
This 'Gaperguide' on the dashboard is a self guided tour that tells you about the sights coming up and it knows where you are via it's own GPS. Pretty cool. We learned a lot about what we were seeing and where the best pull over places and overlooks are.Tomorrow: Old Faithful (hopefully) and then on to the Grand Tetons
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