Yellowstone National Park was the first national park in the world. It was created through an act of Congress in 1872 and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant.
Yellowstone is a magical place: spectacularly scenic park with abundant wildlife.
Buffalo Mirror Images
On the Yellowstone River, Artist's Point is one of the most photographed and painted areas in the park. Richly colored hues and a wild waters make it particularly spectacular.
Mineral Colored Views
Doug and Jan
Reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone has created much controversy among biologists as well as ranchers in surrounding areas. This healthy wolf was not overly concerned with our human presence and was photographed from the road.
Yellowstone Wolf
Baby buffalo are born red and gradually turn dark brown. These guys stay quite close to mama who protects them from wolves and grizzly bears.
Lunch time
Play time
Yellowstone has two lodges which are typically booked a year in advance. The evening before our arrival Doug tried to make reservations and IT WORKED! A last minute cancelation worked in our favor. It is a special experience to stay in the park a short walk from Old Faithful and a dinner reservation from the Yellowstone Lodge.
Dinner at Yellowstone Lodge
Inlayed Wood Detail at the Snow Lodge
It is a treat to see moose in the park. We were fortunate to have two different sightings.
Eating by the River
Young Moose
Near the northern section of the park, there were herds of elk. Currently, there is a controversy among wildlife biologists. The wolves are keeping elk herds in check which is providing more berries for the bear populations which prey on the baby buffalo. Is this a good thing? ask some. Nature will balance herself.
A Resting Young Bull
Many animals have "Follow-Me" signage which allows the young to clearly see where the adults are moving.
Elk's Follow-Me
Prong Horn Antelope's Follow Me
Although Old Faithful may be the most famous geyser in the world, the name geyser is derived from Geyser found in central Iceland.
Old Faithful
Although grizzly bear are the most fearsome animal in the park, it is actually the buffalo that injures and kills the most park visitors. Buffalo are extremely agile and very fast.
"From where the sun now stands I shall fight no more forever. " Chief Joseph
In the late 19th Century it was popular for wealthy Americans to tour the wild west. Among the touring destinations was, of course, Yellowstone National Park. In late August 1877 there were 35 tourists in the park and a group of 750 Nez Perce with 1400 horses being pursued by 2000 US Calvary troops and hundreds of Crow Scouts. The Nez Perce were led by the famous Chief Joseph.
On August 24, 1877, the Radersburg tourist party of 5 people, was camped in the Mary Mountain area. A scouting party led by Yellows Knife came upon their small camp. Yellowknife felt the Nez Perce could not risk exposure to the US Calvary and forced the tourists to the large encampment of Nez Perce Indians where they were held captive.
Upon the counsel of Poker Joe, a half-white sub-chief of the Nez Perce, the captives were released and made their way down Mary Mountain. Unfortunately, they encountered a group of 30 Nez Perce stragglers who decided to return them to the main encampment. A fight ensued and two of the white men in the party were shot at near point blank range. Miraculously, both men survived. The remaining three tourists were given the protection of Chief Joseph.
Near Nez Perce Ford
