Today we headed West again. This time we were heading for Cody WY where we had reservations at a real campground. They are calling for snow on Monday so we wanted to be prepared and over the mountains. On the way down off the Longhorn Mountains we came across Shell Falls which a wonderful water fall in a canyon. We saw lots of antilope on the way across the plains.
After we got set up at Parkway RV Campground we headed on West to Yellowstone because we just couldn't wait. We came in the East enterance checking out Yellowstone Lake and then turning North on the loop road to see the Mud Volcano, Sulphur Caldron, and Hayden Valley. We took the South Rim Drive to see the upper and lower falls. Then we took the North Rim Drive to the Grand View followed by dinner at the Eatery. By then it was getting late and we returned to our campground. We saw buffalo, Elk, Deer, Antelope, and all sorts of birds.
Monday we walked the Paul Stock Nature Trail by the Shoshone River. We didn't see any bears that the sign said we should watch out for. Then we drove about 20 miles east of Cody to hunt for the wild horses. We found them at the McCullough Peaks Wild Horse Management Area. It's 110,000 acres and home to about 120 horses, said to have ties to the horses from Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. Tests have shown the horses may have a bloodline from the Cleveland Bay Breed, established by England's royal family. We saw four at one entrance road, then a herd of 23. Camera didn't do as well as the binoculars. What a sight to see! Driving back to Cody, the incoming storm wind gusts kept blowing the canoe loose on top of the Jeep. Had to stop a couple of times to tighten the straps. Then some shopping in Cody at Sierra Trading Post where Lora got her birthday present. Got back to camp in time for the rain/snow mix, some big flakes, mostly rain and cold wind gusts.
Tuesday we got up and hiked the Sheep Mountain Trail. It was a steep climb, started out a little muddy so our boots got heavier. There was a lot of snow on the trees and hillsides. The cliff walls were beatiful with snow on top. We were following someone's tracks with dog tracks too. In the meadow we met the Fish and Game officer with 6 dogs that were a little too happy to see us. He said he only went to the sheep herder's cabin, but we could go further into a bowl or hike up to the top of the mountain. After stopping at the cabin we hiked into the bowl but with all the snow, we couldn't see the trail. Lots of beautiful views. On the way down we had lunch at the campsite on the side of the mountain. Then we hiked another draw for some more beautiful views. On the way back into Cody we walked the Colter's Hell Trail, interpretive self guided. The Old Cody city was here but there was no room to grow and the sulfer spring stank, no easy way to cross the river. So they moved it.
Went into Cody to see the Murals but the church was closed due to COVID. (eye roll). On to the Irma Hotel for the Wild Bunch gunfight. Got to watch Wyatt Earp, Butch and Sundance have a shootout. Very entertaining.
Wednesday we had to move campsites but the one we were moving to was still occupied so we parked out of the way, packed up for a day in Yellowstone. On the way in on the East Entrance Road we saw a grizzly. Further along the way just before West Thumb we saw a bull elk with a huge rack. We drove counterclockwise around the loop to see the big geysers. Old Faithful really put on a show. The others blew a lot of steam and some water but we missed their erruptions. In the Biscuit Basin we hiked to Mystic Falls. On the way back I heard a thump behind me, turned and found Craig on the ground. He just keeps falling for me. We drove the Firehole Lake Drive, lots of steam coming from the lake. Saw a coyote here. Then drove the Firehole Canyon Drive, following the narrow road along a canyon. Had a very small area to pull off to see Firehole Falls which was incredible. Then on to Gibbon Falls, Virginia Cascade, then to a picnic area called Otter Creek on the Yellowstone River for dinner. Hamburgers on the grill, and a nice couple from Californina to talk to. On the way back we saw herds of buffalo, some swimming across Yellowstone River (with lots of people standing on the riverside with cameras...) Saw a beaver in the river, lots of deer, one really nice one with a big rack at the entrance gate. Then saw a bear jam and stopped to see what everyone was looking at. Another grizzly, a big one, and a motorcycle got his attention and he stood on his hind legs to see it. Awesome site. We got to camp, hooked up our camper, moving into our new site.
Thursday we went back to Yellowstone for some hiking. Elephant Back Trail was beautiful, a climb thru the forest to the top for views of Yellowstone Lake. Lots of switchbacks on this trail. Still no moose, or an elephant. Then on to Pelican Valley where the Grizzlys supposedly hang out in the valley. We saw none, but followed a couple with some bear spray. We did find currants and they were delicious. Lots of dusty walking in this meadow of wide open spaces. We did see some bison and some ducks on the creek.
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