We were in Yellowstone last Sunday and this is smoke from the big Idaho fire as we got closer the North Entrance of Yellowstone.

The haze is smoke.

A look at Mammoth Springs. Between the steam and the smoke it was very beautiful.

This smoke is from two of the fires inside Yellowstone in the Montana section of the park.

We did some hiking on Monday on the Elk Refuge.

Just nature at her best.

A female Elk browsing at the roads edge.

The Roosevelt Arch at the North Entrance of Yellowstone.

About a mile in from the North Entrance was this sign.

That is not snow but is a large mineral deposit from one of the many Volcanic Vents.

   We went for an evening ride on Mormon Row yesterday to see where the Bison herd had gone to. The first hunt day on the Refuge was Wednesday and the herd had just started to move here from  Yellowstone and it is said to be about 800 animals. The hunt is necessary to keep the herd down to a manageable number . Some disagree but that is a whole hot topic in these parts. Any way the first hunt was not very successful and all they managed to do was to move the herd back onto NPS land where they cannot be hunted. We were hoping to find a few Bison as we rode around and were lucky enough to find a good portion of them resting nicely on both sides of the road. We pulled off onto the grass on the shoulder and sat for almost an hour as they moved back and forth around us. We were so close at one point that one of the big bulls almost brushed our side mirrors . We were close enough to touch one, not a good idea but we noticed they have a rather pungent aroma and they make a very distinct grunting sound as they , you can only think, talk to one another. The communication between the Bison, especially the Cows and there young was very pronounced. The big Bulls on the other hand , there was no mistaking their loud snorts and grunts as stay away, she is mine and get away kid you bother me. Really something to see and hear. They say the herd will eventually wander back onto refuge land and one again there will be a hunt. But for now they are protected on the Teton Range and we hope will stay there a good long time.                    G

The Bison are really huge.

A Bison Cow and  Calf

Part of the 350 Bison we were surrounded by last evening.

Time for a dust bath.

A big bull eyeing up one of the ladies.

Eat and run

Just to tired to move on.

Time for a snack.

Every thing is better now.

Why run when you can walk.

A young one, he will run.

All at rest.

One lone Pronghorn with the group.

One of the many rivers running through Yellowstone

Just a beautiful day.

Wild flowers every where

Some of last years fire damage

the burned area is turning green again

That bridge used to be the old road

Looking towards the East entrance of Yellowstone

Rain showers

A little sun glare but still good shot

The water used to be up to the can on the left

Sun is going down

Some of the red is from the fires in Oregon and Idaho

Tetons

More rain showers

              We haven't been doing much traveling these past few weeks. Just local stuff. We have only seen about 5 percent of what's within 25 miles of us and each area is just beautiful. The herds of Bison are now on the back portion of the Refuge and it is really something to see. They won't stay for long as the 15th of August starts Bison Season on the Refuge and the first shot will start their migration back to Yellowstone where no hunting is allowed. The hunt is necessary to keep the herd under a 1000 animals. They are huge and beautiful and can eat like lawnmowers. They make the deer on the East Coast look like Gerbils .
             While we were hanging out we were waiting for the arrival of our new Grandson. Kelly and Gary became the new parents of Maxwell Anthony on July 31st. We are once again Grandparents and we are so happy . I know that they are excited and that everything will be well in their new family.
            We also had a visit from Lauren's Nephew Josh and his wife Lauren. They were on their way up to Northern Idaho to visit Lauren's Dad and made a huge detour to visit us . They brought along their Puppy Roosevelt who is just one huge dog. He is a big love muffin who just wants to love everyone. We were glad to see them as it had been almost five years since we had seen them in Vermont.                                                                                                                                                    
            We have fallen into a routine here and we are now looking forward to our next move to the Family meeting in Kitty Hawk in October.  It will also start a new adventure with the Alligator River-Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge in the Outer Banks.                                                    G

We went for a visit at our local Fish Hatchery

It sits on the outer edge of the Elk Refuge.

A Native Trout

These fish are in a catch and release pond.

The nest of one of the local fisherman.

This plaque is on the top of Sheep mountain. It was one of President Clintons' support aircraft when he came to Jackson Hole and crashed when they were leaving .

Sheep mountain or what the locals call the Sleeping Indian.

One of our neighbor Coyotes doing what all dogs do .

On the hunt again after his rest stop.

He has found his dinner

Another beautiful Sunset

Laurens Nephew Josh and his Wife Lauren stopped by for a visit, oh yea forgot to mention their little puppy Roosevelt

Just a mere 150 pounds

Happy Pup to be out of the car

Lauren wants one, the cats don't think so.