Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument | Montana

We spend a few hours touring the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in Montana. We arrived in time for the ranger's interpretation on the history of the battle that took place here many years ago. This is were Col. Custer had his last stand and died along with 262 soldiers and an undocumented number of Cheyenne warriors. We drove the tour and visited the grave sites that were along the path. It was amazing to stand on the same ground were many men lost their lives for what they believed.

The Custer National Cemetery is also located at the Battlefield and is open to the public. Upon first arrival I thought these were the graves of the soldiers that died in the battle, but they are not. Most of the soldiers are still buried on the field, left at their final post.

KOA Campground | Hardin, Montana

KOA campground in Hardin, Montana. This was our stay for one night on our way to see Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. I was very pleased with our one room "Kabin". And with having just slept on the cold ground surrounded by snow the night before, the warmth and coziness of the one room was welcomed. We enjoyed a picnic dinner while watching the beautiful Montana sky as the sun set.

Buffalo Bill Dam | Cody, WY

We left Yellowstone National Park and headed west, continuing on our summer trip. Next stop, Buffalo Bill Dam in Cody, Wyoming. They say that this dam was designed to be the largest dam in the world back in 1905, measuring 353 feet tall! In 1946 the dam was re-named to honor Col. William F. Cody, a.k.a. Buffalo Bill. This was a nice stop for us, a chance to get our "National Park Passport" stamped and take a few photos. I even got a shot a very small rainbow, had to hang over the railing to get it, anything for that one chance at a great photo.

Wildlife at Yellowstone National Park

The wildlife at Yellowstone is awesome and being able to see some of it was a wonderful opportunity.

This elk decided that the grass was better in the campground. She was having dinner in the common area of Madison Campground, this was our first night of camping and our first close encounter with a wild animal. We were on our way to the store to get our dinner when we saw her so I had to stop and take a few photos.

Here is our first Buffalo sighting. We were on the way to West Yellowstone City in Montana when we came around a corner to see traffic stopped and wondered why? Then we saw the Buffalo starting to come up the bank and cross the road. The cameras were flying, it was awesome.

Here is one of the Buffalo from the above group. Once it had crossed the road we were able to drive right beside him and take a photo. Say "Cheese"

The next morning we left our campground, turn left, and there were more Buffalo, everywhere.

Buffalo eating...

Buffalo resting...

Tourists in the yellow stretch bus limousine looking at the buffalo.

This guy was just taking a stroll down the road. I took a photo as we drove by.

Same with this guy, just strolling (Rawhide song plays in my mind)

Here is a gorgeous shot that Rick was able to get of a Elk.

And we saw a couple of  big horned sheep, photo is bad, but we did get to see them up high on a hill.

Biscuit Basin | Yellowstone National Park

If I had to choose my favorite place at Yellowstone, it would be the Biscuit Basin. It was a short drive up from Old Faithful and definitely worth the stop. It is one of those places that you must see.

Biscuit Basin contains a small collection of thermal features. Many, however, are small, gem-like encrusted pools and geysers, including Silver Globe Spring, Sapphire, and Black Opal pools, Jewel, Cauliflower, and Black Pearl geysers. The Firehole River and a highway divide the basin. Sapphire Pool dominates the main group west of the river. The water of this pool, or spring, is crystal clear with a Oriental blue sapphire tint. Other important features include Shell Geyser, which has a golden-lined crater, and Jewel Geyser, known for the shiny, beaded sinter around its vent. - Yellowstone National Park.com

Firehole River

The start of the walkway through Biscuit Basin showing the stream rising from the geysers.

Black Opal Spring

Sapphire Pool

Jewel Geyser

Avoca Geyser

Silver Globe Geyser

 Two old geezers

Old Faithful | Yellowstone National Park

Old Faithful, this was our first big stop. The Park Service has done a very nice job of making this a great family stopping place. Plenty to do for the entire family, from hiking trials, shopping, ice cream, two gift shops and a nice cafeteria and of course Old Faithful. There is even a beautiful rustic-style log lodge, Old Faithful Inn, original built in 1904.

I only got to step into the lobby and take two photos of the interior of the lodge because someone told us that Old Faithful was soon to erupt and we didn't want to miss it.

Old Faithful was erupting when we got out of the car, we thought about running to try and catch it but then decided not. I wonder if the visitors in this photo made it in time. (Run Susie, Run)

Sorry to say that this is the only good photo I got of Old Faithful erupting, it was much more difficult to photograph than I thought. Plus, you were only allowed to get so close because of safety concerns. 

Here is the Old Faithful Lodge and my first sighting of the yellow tour bus. 

I saw this yellow bus/car from a distance and had to get a closer look. How neat, a yellow convertible stretch bus limousine. Yellowstone Park offers driving tours and if the weather permits, the top will be rolled back and if you are lucky you may spot a tourist with his or her head poking out the top. 

The massive lobby of the Old Faithful Inn. I can only imagine what the rest of it looks like, and at $150 per night, I will have to rely on my imagination. Wonder if they put chocolates in the shape of Old Faithful on your pillow?

Lewis Lake and Lewis Falls | Yellowstone National Park

This was my first waterfall stop in Yellowstone, not bad for the first one. Water looked cold so we did not take time for a swim.

Lewis Lake, Yellowstone National Park