Yellowstone

I was finally able to get into Yellowstone! On Monday, the weather was cooperative, and I was able to head down Hwy 89 from Livingston, MT to the north entrance of the park at Gardiner, MT. I was able to see the hot springs at Mammoth Springs and then able to go east through the park. Several times I had to stop for buffalo in the road, including a few times when they walked right past the car! I got some pretty cool pictures. They really are magnificent animals. And quite large! I was sitting quite still in the car, trying not to spook them as they walked past. I could just see one of these guys or gals deciding to throw a powerful head-butt into the truck! The truth was they really didn't act like we where even there. They just took their time and headed where they were going to go.

I found a nice little campground near Mammoth Springs, so I spent the night there. The weather was fine, hovering between 30 and 36 degrees and some light snow and light rain falling. However, at about 10 0'clock in the morning, the skies darkened and the wind really began to pick up. Heavy snow began to fall, and within 1 1/2 hours, 8 inches of snow fell and the temperature dropped 40 full degrees from 34 to 6 BELOW. Quite a change! After 'digging' out, I made the decision that another night at the campground was possible, but just not practical, since I wasn't sure how much more snow was on the way. The rangers said the weather report called for between 12 and 18 inches before it was all said and done, so I figured I should head out. I dropped the truck into 4WD and headed back towards Livingston last night. I'm still in Livingston, and will be here until at least tomorrow, waiting on road conditions to improve, then head out, and maybe back up to Yellowstone for a few days and nights.

I'm sorry that the majority of my posts seem to be weather reports! But the truth is, that here in the Northern Plains and the Northern Rockies, weather kind of dominates this time of year, and your plans have to work around Mother Nature's! Plus, I love the weather. Always have. And it changes so fast out here that it's kind of neat. But, I'm taking the time in the hotel today to do some real writing, so maybe I'll have something more entertaining or enlightening by tomorrow morning.

Lefty