When our trip to Rapid City was done, we had to turn around and come back to the Northwest. Don't get me wrong, we were SUPER stoked to have a little more time here, but were a little sad to be done with the visit. Because I am all about the 'road less traveled,' I wanted to hit Yellowstone National Park on our way back. Thank goodness Shawna is starting to come around, otherwise that coulda been miserable for her - cuz I was going with or without permission! I think I can speak for both of us when I say the long drive, piss-poor food and sore butts were worth it.
Day one. This was Shell Falls Interperative Site. What the hell is an "interperative site?"
Pretty sure this was in Shell Canyon. We were so lucky to see it all in the orange-hued light right before the light went down behind the mountains. Unfortunately, we were on a mission and didn't have time to stop, so I took this picture from the car. (Notice the power lines. Ooops.)
A fun little place on the side of the road. Classic Wyoming: cowboys sitting on the porch with coffee and cigarrettes and a grandmother in the kitchen cooking some pies. Also, it was called Dirty Anne's. Can't get any better.
For the first night, we decided we should treat ourselves (instead of staying at the Roach Motel like we did on the way TO Rapid). We stopped in Cody, Wyoming. We had no idea it was so cute! Seriously folks, like Jackson but affordable. The guy working at the front counter either had a wicked crush on Shawna's voice when she called from the road to make reservations, OR he was stoned on Vicodin from having his wisdom teeth pulled out 2 days before. Even though we actually was all drugged up, we still think it's the first. Either way, we got a great deal. Go Shawna!
The room. We even got to sneak into the hot tub before they closed.
They were so enthusiastic about Halloween! The whole place was decorated. Too cool.
Dinner with a skeleton, anyone? Guess he's been waiting for a long time.
The breakfast nook.
A fantastic little fireplace out front. It was so cozy.
How about a little music with dinner?
We are wearing the shit out of those robes. (Provided by the Cody Hotel)
After a night of great sleep, we were off in the morning for YELLOWSTONE! It has been like 14 years since I've been there, and that was only a quick trip with the Rapid City Children's Choir (on our way to Seattle, oddly enough).
Entrance to Yellowstone. Thanks to Clay for the pass! I will mail it out in the next few days, promise.
Shawna was excited. She asked me "Why can't you feed the animals?" Well, my dear... this is why. In case you can't read it, it says "WARNING: many visitors have been gored by buffalo." Wanna know what's weird? She still doesn't get it. :)
Yay, wildlife! This poor buffalo had to hoof it up this giant hill with nosy ladies snapping pictures of him sweatin' it out.
Yellowstone Lake? Dunno. It was a lake in Yellowstone Park. Pretty. Done.
A steam vent on the lower road around Yellowstone. We happened to drive by at the exact right moment to see it erupt.
Old Faithful. It's kinda hard to get a picture of...
So we just had a new friend take our picture instead.
Another lonely buffalo. How do you tell if they are girls or boys?
On our way to the Bubbling Paint Pots. These trees have seen better days, eh? Looks like the acid in the water has eaten away at the bottom of them. But what do I know?
So stinky!
Yeah, that's exactly what I want... a good ol Bacteria Mat.
The first of the hot springs that we ran into.
Fountain Paint Pots. It's this special mudd stuff that bubbles because of trapped gasses escaping. I guess it changes during the year. In the summer it is much more of a liquid, in the winter it gets cracked and dried out.
The one thing I was super excited to see and it was so steamy I couldn't see it. Guess a cold fall day is not the day to check this out.
Favorite shot of the day. This cute couple kept getting into my pictures so I decided to go with it and
just get 'em. We were *trying* to view the Grand Prismatic Pools.
Some more bacteria mats on the outside of the prismatic pools.
These are the good ones.
Caught some Lady Elk crossing the creek.
Hazelnut farms on the outskirts of Amity, Oregon (where Riane and Jake live). I was leaving to go back to my new home in Puyallup and caught this on a foggy morning. God, I love hazelnuts.
Guess it's pretty easy to tell it's a fairly damp climate.
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