From Seattle we drove east, through Washington state, the Idaho panhandle and scenic Montana to the epic and varied landscapes of Wyoming. There we visited legendary Yellowstone National Park, a refuge for wildlife of all kinds - bison and elk and even bears can be seen on a daily basis. We are quite sure we also saw an emu (yes, an emu - an escapee from a local farm?) among many other birds. The active volcanic caldera Yellowstone sits on gives rise to a number of interesting geothermal features which give the place an otherworldly feel. These include many geysers (of which Old Faithful is the most well known), fumaroles (steam vents), mudpots, "travertine terraces" and hot springs. The Grand Prismatic Spring is a unique and mesmerizing orgy or colour and steam (see picture above). The grand and regular gushings of the iconic geyser Old Faithful sparkle brilliantly in the sunlight. They happen every 60-95 minutes day or night, even on holidays. Yellowstone is popular this time of year but we were fortunate to get a site in the northern mammoth campground ($20, first come/served). Years ago I visited the nearby hotsprings after burning man but this time around they were closed as the river was too high.
From Yellowstone we continued east, past Shoshone and into Bighorn National Forest where we found a beautiful isolated and free dispersed camping spot at 8,000 feet. Snow-capped mountains shone in the distance and we pitched our tent in a meadow flanked by pine woods. I took a brief video, which you can see by clicking HERE.
From Yellowstone we continued east, past Shoshone and into Bighorn National Forest where we found a beautiful isolated and free dispersed camping spot at 8,000 feet. Snow-capped mountains shone in the distance and we pitched our tent in a meadow flanked by pine woods. I took a brief video, which you can see by clicking HERE.