YELLOWSTONE – just us, the snow and the bison!

Before we go much further I forgot to tell you about the outcome of last night.  Because of our claustrophobic experience on the previous 2 tours we decided that we would suss out how many people had booked for our remaining tours – The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone which is an all day extravaganza and Madison Wildlife – a half day tour.

After devouring our hot chocolate we headed towards the Reception Desk to check these out remember?  We were told that they are fully booked – which means crammed in like sardines – our faces fell along with our spirits and we asked about our options one of which is can we cancel both booked tours and do a full day private tour with just us three and the driver / guide?  The lovely lady says yes that is no problem but she will have to check.  Everything is OK and by the time we cancel and then re-book it will cost us about $200 more but we think it is worth the money to be away from The Fakers.

So Saturday is free and then we have our Full Day Private Tour on Sunday. How exciting is that – it has put a spring back into our step – except for Kylie who is still crook but getting a little better.  We are now up to date so let’s press on back to –

Saturday – racing to the window when I wake – the skies are cloudy but it is clearing – it is going to be a wonderful day I can tell.  We head to the Dining Room for brekky, there are people everywhere and lots of raised voices.  I do feel sorry for the lad at the front desk – complaints will be made I am sure.  He is trying to tell them that there is a 30 minute wait. Good luck to that.

People are complaining that they will miss their tours – – the staff continues to move at the dazzling speed of a rheumatic snail – we wait for a table for 3 and finally are given a table for 6.  We inform the staff that we don’t mind sharing our table to help clear the wait line but they say no it’s OK in their usual don’t care attitude – the queue outside grows longer.

We have the buffet brekky again – lukewarm bacon, potatoes, juice and coffee and I have to order the toast which of course takes forever, but no matter I have my Vegemite so all is well and we are going to have a lovely day.

Once brekky has finished we dress in our many layers and rearing to go we have decided to head to the Visitor Centre and then walk counter clockwise around Old Faithful and then do a loop back to the Centre.  By the time we get outside the sun is shining, the clouds are continuing their journey and we are all smiles.

Yep, this is much better than sitting on a crammed coach.

The snow continues to pile up during the night – isn’t it great?  We will get some fabulous photos of blue skies and white snow – and we are eager to see what is on the other side of Old Faithful.

As the Visitor Centre is not open yet, we walk around the outside and because there is no one here it is such a joy and we also get to do a bit of sunburst photography – remembering not to aim directly at the sun.  Sometimes I get carried away and then it is hard to see for a while but I still come up with some good shots.

Because it is still relatively early,  the hordes have not arrived to view Old Faithful so we virtually have the place to ourselves.

Walking along the path we then stop for some typically touristy photos.

Here is the Ranger putting up the flag for the day.  I somehow expected the music to start playing the Anthem but no music just peace and maybe it is just as well.  Also in the background is the ‘groomer’ preparing the paths for today so that us and the hundreds of other feet will be able to walk without a problem.

The Yellowstone Gods are continuing to clear the skies for us – it is turning out to be a brilliant day.

Taking our time we can stop anywhere we like to take photos and thoroughly enjoy the crisp, cool air and the stillness of everything.  This is the pathway to Old Faithful – – walking along here and around to the other side we are in time for the usual eruption.

We pick out a good place – there is hardly any wind blowing our way and we are enjoying ourselves and taking lots of photos but of course the wind direction changes and all the steam heads for us.

We quickly cover our cameras and start to move but we all end up with lovely sulphur facials and we smell like rotten egg gas but it is all in the name of fun.  Once this bit of excitement passes, we continue our walk.

We pass the Firehole River and arrive at Blue Star Spring.

The ‘water features’ in Winter takes on a whole different look – the only draw back is the steam when the wind is not blowing in the right direction.

We learn to be patient and then when things clear we snap away to get the shot.  The water is so incredibly clear and blue.

This is a great walk and my advice to all those out there – don’t always take the well worn pathways.  There is so much to see over this side of the geyser and I wish we had taken time to do this on past journeys.

We can walk over the river if we want – Tyler is adventurous but Kylie and I stay on firmer ground because we realise that the snow has reached the top of the handrail and if we take a wrong step we could land in the river and that would not be good.

Here’s Tyler trying his luck on the walkways and here’s me thigh deep in snow getting ready to make some snow angels.  How much fun is that?  I just stand there and fall backwards and then move my arms up and down making angel wings – what an experience.  OK enough frivolity.

As we near the end of our walk – I could put lots more photos in to show you but I know that you would say ‘Really, not more snow!’

Looking through the snow covered trees as we walk along we spy bison – what a surprise.

Everything has come together for a photo – lots of snow on the ground – bison – steamy springs – snowy trees so natch we take photos.  Sometimes I get so captured by a place I want to remain for ages but we must go on.

We turn a corner in the path and around some trees and right on the side of our walkway there are more bison – but this time they are right there – right beside us – we have come to a sudden stop.  Bit like 3 people that crash into each other.

Remembering the park rules of being at least 25 metres from wildlife – we are stuck. If they decide to charge we are done for! We cannot move back and we cannot move forward on the path.  We decide to take a chance and leave the path and go overland.

Some people look as if they have already done this as there are footsteps so we follow in these.  We are still single file – Tyler in the front then Kylie then me and everything is going great until Kylie takes a wrong step – her camera goes up in the air and she nearly disappears in the snow.  I will not elaborate on the language as she tries her hardest to get out – which is not easy when you are up to your waist in powdery snow.  Tyler has to turn around and pull her out – she is now on hands and knees crawling along – I have also come a cropper but am only knee deep – the bison couldn’t care less and chomp away.  We have snow in cameras, pockets and everything else and I get the giggles – Kylie who is still suffering with the flu is not impressed and Tyler is still trying to guide us out of the wilderness.  Finally we recover the situation and get back on the real path – all this time the bison remain unimpressed and continue chomping – I bet they see this type of tourist escapade every day and it certainly added interest to our morning.

Heading back we spy this little woodpecker on a tree.  What a pretty little thing he is – and what an interesting sound he makes as he taps his beak on the bark. He also is not interested in us and once his tapping is finished he flies away.

By the time we complete the loop and head for the Lodge we are in desperate need of coffee – – we have nothing planned for the remainder of the day – we decide to retire to the comfort of our room to recover.

Highlight of the day : Being bushwacked by bison!