GOODBYE YELLOWSTONE – a sad farewell

Monday – as you have most probably gathered from today’s title – it is time to say goodbye to my favourite park.  We have had an incredible stay over the past 6 days and it certainly will be remembered for many years to come. Even though memories remain in your mind, I think it is the photos that brings everything back to life and puts you right there again.

There is nothing better than looking at a photo and remembering what is around you and what were the sounds I heard.

The morning is clear with lovely blue skies so that is a plus for our return journey to Mammoth and then to Bozeman.  We head for our final breakfast in the Dining Room – something that doesn’t worry me – and then it is time to return to my room to make sure it has been cleared of all my bits and pieces, cupboards are not hiding any clothing, bags are securely packed and everything is ready to rock’n’roll.  Down to reception to finalise the account, load the bags onto the shuttle and surprise – our driver will be the knowledgeable Jesse (from the Steam and Stars) – that certainly is a plus.

After boarding and getting the camera ready – I knocked back the opportunity to sit in the front passengers seat (yes, I know I am an idiot) – we commence our journey back down the mountains.  The woman in the front seat has her camera clicking away for every foot of the journey I kid you not.  She is driving me crazy.  I thought I was bad with the amount of photos I take but this one beats me hands down.  She will most probably have to delete a good 90% of them as she moves the camera all over the place – side to side – up and down – oh well it takes all kinds.

Unfortunately the morning fog and mists have not given way yet but that’s OK for me as I am on the wrong side of the coach to get any really great shots.  We make a stop at Lower Geyser Basin.  We can either walk up along the snow covered walkways to the Paint Pots and not see anything because of the mist or we can stay with the coach and amble.

I decide to stay and amble and take a few shots of whatever is around here.

And to no-one’s surprise, yes, there are snow covered trees around here.  They are so pretty; there is also lots of deep, deep snow that prevents a really good trek so no macro opportunities – zooming in will just have to do.  It is so quiet here – just an occasional drift of hissing sounds from the geysers – I wish I didn’t have to leave.

More farewells to features are said and we get back on our way.  Ms Clicker is still in the front seat – I should have grabbed it when they were out walking – but you know the saying – you snooze; you lose.

To compound the problem I am on the wrong side of the coach.  All the really good views are on the other side but I am sure that I have enough photos to remind me of this wonderful time.

We finally arrive in Mammoth where our bags are unloaded and ready to put on the shuttle to Bozeman.  We decide on some chicken tenders for lunch but I am not that hungry to tell the truth, so I share with Kylie.  After our time at the trough, we decide just to go for a short wander outside – not up to The Incredible Terraces.

The pathway to the General Stores and Supplies shop looks walkable so we head in that direction and most probably will  spend a few dollars on some souvenirs.  Yep, I find a nice wolf wind chime and some T-shirts.

Soon it is time to get back on the coach – Ms Clicker and friends are with us and they joke about the amount of photos she takes and how many she deletes.  We just roll our eyes but if she is happy then all is good.

Before we depart Yellowstone we stop at The Roosevelt Arch.  You can read all about it on the link, I will just add that it is a most majestic end to our stay.  We are allowed to take our time for all the photos, and Kylie even manages to get some bison in my photo which you will have already seen at the start of this post.

Once we say our final goodbyes it’s forward ho to Bozeman.  The sun is shining on the coach windows so it is practically impossible to get any good photos. An hour and a half later we arrive at our digs for the night – our friendly Holiday Inn at Bozeman.  Once we check in, it is time to have a walk around.  Kylie still has the flu and has decided to stay in bed.  I, on the other hand venture forth where you can see that there is not as much snow as when we arrived here a week ago.

This is definitely turning out to be a lovely afternoon and it is a shame that we are a bit far from everything – yep – even the supermarkets – unless you want to take you chances crossing the highway.

Tomorrow we fly back to Portland which means we just take our bare necessities out for tonight.  There will not be that much repacking in the morning so that is a good thing.

Highlight of the day – being bison bombed.