Tag: #Montana

Yellowstone National Park

23 June 2018

This is where I stayed in Cooke City just 6 km (4 miles) from the East entrance of Yellowstone.

It’s embarrassing but all I knew about Yellowstone National Park was:

  • Yogi Bear and Boo Boo
  • Smokey the Bear
  • Grizzly bears
  • Lots of people visit

I did not realise this huge park:

  • Is set on a super volcano which has had some recent concerning activity.
  • Has 5 entrances
  • You can camp or stay in lodges or cabins in the park

Some tips which might be of interest:

  • The North East entrance area of Cooke City/Silvergate is a small community with buildings which require to be built with natural products to fit within the alpine landscape
  • When parking at Mammoth Springs go to the upper section up the road. Easier to park and a shorter walk.
  • The West City entrance is more commercial, and in my opinion, not as appealing and more expensive than the East side
  • I recommend entering Yellowstone from the East entrance. There are fewer tourists from that side
  • Even though there were many tourists I didn’t feel overwhelmed.
  • Highly recommend the drive from Red Lodge to Cooke City along the Beartooth Highway
  • Take binoculars
  • Take a chair and picnic to sit and watch the animals
  • Stop and ask people if they have seen animal activity
  • There are traffic jams when someone sights an animal and vehicles stop everywhere
  • Don’t drive too close to the vehicle in front as people people get excited and slam on their brakes when an animal is sighted

Visiting the Norris Geyser reminded me of my visit to the Kilauea volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii which recently erupted.

The Porcelain basin at Norris Geyser is picturesque although the smell of the gas is not pleasant.

This is an album of some of the many faces of Yellowstone.

Red Lodge Montana

21 June 2018

I spent most of today driving 3.5 hours to Billings and getting my rental car serviced. I could have had it swapped instead of the service but it meant moving my wardrobe to another car and remembering to move everything. Last car I swapped I lost my hat and I am also used to driving this Toyota Corolla. Don’t need the stress of changing cars. After the housekeeping I discovered I am 3 hours from Yellowstone National Park so set off in that direction. One hour later I started to get weary and stopped in Red Lodge. Another gem!

I went for a walk down the main street Broadway Avenue and bumped into this dear. I am hoping to see a bear as the locals said they wander around as do Elk.

I had dinner in a new seasonal Italian restaurant Ox Pasture, where the chef owner and his workers are from New York but from Italy. The atmosphere is festive.

Red Lodge have a songwriters festival this weekend and I enjoyed their open Mic night. I filmed a little of Yasha video.

Musician Tom Walter spends half the year in Austin Texas and the other half in Red Lodge Montana.