After driving through some beautiful country.....

 We arrived in Cook City, Montana....

 ....maybe it would be better named Cook Town? or Cook Village?

The Yellowstone Trading Post is here and had quite an eclectic offering....but we didn't find anything we "just had to have."

But the views were spectacular...and, as I said in a previous post, remind me of some of the towns in Alaska.

Now we are on the road again and headed into Yellowstone National Park.  Remember those 3000+ bison I alluded to?  I think we must have seen each and every one of them during our time here!

They seem to be spending the day eating, sleeping, standing, eating....you get the picture.  But I have been assured they can move veeery quickly....and powerfully, I might add!

Yes, we did get off the coach, and yes, we are all out here (a safe distance away I might add) taking photos of the bison....wonder if they are asking each other what all these crazy tourists are doing out here taking pictures?!

 And here, is one of our pronghorn friends....not a clear photo, but their markings just amaze me!

 Love this "splash of color"....

These two bulls weren't involved in the aforementioned sleeping, eating, standing....they were actively involved in "engaging" each other!  And me thinks this guy on the left was just a wee bit too close for comfort!

 I mean, look at that guy's eyes!

As we arrived on the property where we would be spending the night, we quickly spotted a group of elk.  And, yes, they act like they own the place!

 Just look at this beauty.....

 This is not an uncommon sight....

It's hard to describe all of the thermal features in this area....unreal is one description I heard frequentlhy.

Beautiful, in an eerie sort of way....

 The landscape here is constantly changing as new formations are created....

There are numerous signs warning visitors to stay on the boardwalks as the whole area is extremely unstable and H.O.T.!!

Most of the views have an almost desolate look about them.  Then you turn around and these beauties surprise you!

After a yummy dinner at the Terrace Grill

(I indulged in the black bean burger since the National Parks now all carry gluten-free bread - I was a happy camper), we decided to walk up a portion of the bottom of the trail through the thermals.  This tall cone-like shape on the lefts is the Liberty Bell, a cone volcano....

 Just look at all the steppes....the layers, the colors....

...and the steam rising to meet the clouds!

Before heading back to the hotel and our room, we spent some time on the green watching these guys/gals.  This was a young buck....see his velvety antlers that haven't fully developed yet? 

Looks like he is reeeeallly enjoying that grass....his eyes are closed....ahhhhh, bliss!

Loooved watching this guy....and look at those antlers!  He kept approaching this particular female....but she was doing a very good job of evading him.  Since it is rutting season, you could his bugling cry even after we went to our room!

Our hotel for the night was original....

...and some of the fixtures seemed to be original, too!

Yes, a claw-footed tub, and these light "switches"....a step back in time.

Tomorrow we will be exploring more of Yellowstone....can hardly wait to share all that we see with you.