{"id":2020,"date":"2018-08-24T05:08:24","date_gmt":"2018-08-24T04:08:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dmjsystems.co.uk\/rvblog\/?p=2020"},"modified":"2018-08-24T05:18:04","modified_gmt":"2018-08-24T04:18:04","slug":"yellowstone-national-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dmjsystems.co.uk\/rvblog\/2018\/08\/24\/yellowstone-national-park\/","title":{"rendered":"Yellowstone National Park"},"content":{"rendered":"

We moved on from Butte to Livingston which was close to the Northern Gate into Yellowstone Park.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Rest Area on the way to Livingston.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Still “Big Sky” country<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
We keep meeting these people!! Lewis & Clarke expedition.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Arrived at Osen’s RV Park and got set up.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Our site.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While we were eating we noticed that there were 5 chicks on the ground and the mother trying to feed them all!!<\/p>\n

\"\"
The five chicks huddled together.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Every time the mother turned up there was a rush to get fed first.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Livingston was chosen as it was close (in American terms) to the North entrance to Yellowstone National Park.<\/p>\n

After looking at the maps it looked like we would have to make at least 3 visits in order to cover it all.<\/p>\n

So we set off on visit one. Even getting there was interesting with the Yellowstone River running alongside the road all the way and numerous trout fishing areas.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Lots of places advertising white water rafting and you can see why.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Yellowstone river valley.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
And “Big Sky” was still with us.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And then we were in the Park. I think this is the most magnificent place we have been, but you, the viewer, will have to decide for yourself.<\/p>\n

\"\"
What we can expect to see in Yellowstone Park.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Mountain Ranges from Mammoth Springs.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
The remains of a calcified spring in Mammoth Springs.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
The runoff from the hot spring above causes the calcification.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
This spring has also attracted bacteria that causes the change in colour.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Steps caused by gradual build up of calcium.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Mammoth springs in the background which has huge ranger station.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
This is the hot spring above the previous pictures that fed the cascade.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
And further up the levels there was this spring.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
And then at the top this beautiful pale blue spring, so hot it had steam blowing off it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Calcium column caused by the spring growing up the middle of the column. More bacteria causing the colouring.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
A whole bed of coloured calcium deposits.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
The Spark parked on one of the plains on top of the park around 8,000ft up.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Snow still on the mountains in August.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Panorama showing the lake (Swan Lake) and the mountains.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
This was called Staircase Rocks. Same basalt configuration of the Needles in Ireland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Another lake formed by hot springs.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
And this is the spring that did it!!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Norris geyser basin.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Wherever you looked something was either bubbling, gushing or spouting!!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Small geyser going off.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Very hot steam fumarole.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Yellowstone river cut this valley.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Strata in the rock face that ran alongside the road.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Yellowstone river canyon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
A petrified tree.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
And just when we had gone all day without seeing any wildlife I spotted these Sand Cranes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
And while we were stopped for the Cranes this guy\/gal turned up. Coyote!!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
And he proceeded to catch something right in front of us and here he is chewing on it!!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
And when we got back to Mammoth on the way back to Livingston there were Elk feeding on the lovely mown lawns. They obviously know where the best grass is!!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We had a day’s rest and then did the bigger loop to see Old Faithful.<\/p>\n

\"\"
An amazingly coloured Spring that flowed into the river.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
And the colours of Anne’s top nearly matched it!! I don’t think!!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A hot spring called Beryl. Temperature is between 188.5F (87C) and 192F (89C) so don’t take a bath!!<\/p>\n