Chief Joseph Scenic Highway & Cody, Wyoming

We decided we couldn't spend two summers exploring Yellowstone Park and not at least drive to Cody, Wyoming. So today, we headed that way.

As we drove through the park on our way, we got to see some of the colors of fall.

Someone was attempting to hide from us.

On our way to the northeast entrance, we passed through the Mammoth Hot Springs area and saw some lawn ornaments lounging around.

They were lounging around waiting for the male elks to determine who was head honcho.

Between Mammoth and the turn to Lamar Valley, we spotted a bear down below the road.

Going through Lamar Valley, we spotted a large herd of buffalo off in the distance.

Smoke filled the sky as Yellowstone's Antelope fire burned. It would subsequently grow to more than 3,000 acres by the following weekend. It had closed the Dunraven Pass portion of the Main Loop Road from Tower to Canyon.

Beartooth Scenic Highway and Chief Joseph Scenic Highway both gave more views of the colors of fall.

Look...it's a cow sitting by the side of the road.

When we stopped to take his picture, he decided to cross the street to stand with the other cows.

Chief Joseph has some beautiful views. Here are a few of them.

This pronghorn stopped just long enough for us to snap this shot.

Here is Cody, Wyoming. It's a nice little town with about 8,000 residents. We ate at a nice little place named Wendy's. She had red pigtails.

Next we travelled about 50 miles west on yet another scenic highway...the Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway. Highway byway, byway highway.

Marlon took this self-portrait while standing on his stilts.

Here are a few awesome views from the Byway!

We covered more than 300 miles today and, as always, ran out of daylight.

We call this one Buffalo at Night.

For more pictures, click here .

To be continued...

Natural Bridge of Yellowstone

Today's trip was to the Natural Bridge located on the southeast side of Yellowstone Park. The trailhead begins at Bridge Bay Marina.

Dressed in our hiking attire, as you can see, we found what used to be natural wood before they cut it up and made a bridge out of it. This is an Unnatural Bridge and is just the beginning of the 1.5-mile trail to the Natural Bridge.

The Natural Bridge is a 51-foot high cliff of rhyolite rock that has been cut through by the process of erosion in nearby Bridge Creek.

On our way back, we noticed a dog driving this motorhome.

We had to get back home for movie night, but we managed to stop for some pictures.

These bison were grazing on the hill by the Fishing Bridge.

This is from the Arnica fire in September, 2009.

This is the West Thumb Geyser Basin. We only had time for a few pictures, but will come back to walk on the trails at a later date.

Behind it is Yellowstone Lake. With a 132-square mile surface, Yellowstone Lake is the largest lake above 7,000 feet in North America. 20 miles long and 14 miles wide, the lake freezes around December each year and thaws near early June.

We made it back just in time for movie night. Doug made pork chops...

and Candice made cheesecake. Yum!!!!!!!!

For more pictures, click here .

To be continued...

Grand Teton National Park & Jackson, Wyoming

Our destination today was Grand Teton National Park and Jackson, Wyoming.

We drove through Yellowstone heading south through the park. On the way, we captured the steam coming off the geysers on a cool morning.

About 11 miles from the south entrance to Yellowstone, one will find Lewis Falls.

Grand Teton National Park is about 20 miles south of Yellowstone.

Enjoy some views of the Grand Tetons.

This is not a Grand Teton. It is a moose.

This is an arch made of antlers in the town park of Jackson.

This is a fence made with logs and skis.

On our way back, we took Teton Pass which travels through Driggs, Idaho. Driggs' Spud Drive-In Theatre was featured as one of the top 50 American roadside attractions by Time Magazine. Read about the drive-in here .

A bison in a precarious spot...

For more pictures, click here .

To be continued...

Yellowstone Fires

Off in the distance you can see the Yellowstone Beach Fire which started July 18th.

This is one of the aircraft used to fight fires in Yellowstone.

The Beach Fire burned 520 acres and was 95% contained as of July 28th.

This helicopter was refueling at the West Yellowstone airport and was preparing to go back out to the fire.

For more pictures, click here .

To be continued...