Still catching up on drive days. From now on, the POST TITLE will indicate the "Drive Day"
Beautiful country. Still a lot of evidence of the many fires they have had in years past. Most the of the forest are "Lodge Pole Pines". These trees grow very straight and the circumference doesn't change much from top to bottom. They are perfect for the "Stacking" pattern that native American's used to form the Tee Pee before placing the skins on. And, thus... the Name... "LODGE POLE"
This picture is of a forest of Lodge Pole SNAGS... A Snag is a dead tree that has not fallen yet. The picture shows the basic structure of the tree trunk and why they were used by the Native Americans (and White Settlers for Log Cabins). It also show the NEW GROWTH forest that springs up after a fire.
Once you get into the park, it seems, that everywhere you look, there is steam coming from the ground and, of course, the wonderful smell of "Rotten Eggs". The Sulphide in the ground water adds the unique smell.
We stopped at several places while driving to our main destination... That of "Old Faithful". We saw a good representation of what the Park had to offer... Bubbly Geysers, Deep Hot Pools, Pumping Geysers, Pools and Ponds, Mud Pots, Rivers, and a beautiful drive. There were quite a few people in the park, given the fact that it is "Off Season".
Don't forget the wildlife of Yellowstone Park. We only saw Bison, of which there are many, many, many along the roads. No Moose or any large predators, but these animals as well live in the protection of this huge park. We saw several herds very close to the roadway. These mammoth Buffalo don't seem a bit concerned about the Human intrusion 
We got to "Old Faithful", what's known as a "Predictable Pumping Geyser" about a half hour before the next PREDICTED eruption. Old Faithful, steams, grunts, growls, and squirts hot water constantly, But, approximate every 88 minutes (give or take 10 minutes according to the signs), when it erupts, it releases a column of scalding hot water more than 80 feet into the air. It's a sight that always is a crowd pleaser.
It was getting late, and our sweet boy Quincy has to eat on somewhat of a schedule, We headed back to the RV Park, having spent a nice time at Yellowstone Park... A place we want to come back to, and really see what it has to offer.
Took care of the "Boys", and decided to visit the "IMAX" for a presentation of "Bears", and hour long documentary on Grizzle, Black, and Polar bears. Lauri has a fond spot in her heart for Bears, and the film was fun. Each bear was shone in their native environment and with their winter born cubs. Cute little buggers.
All of these animals, and so many more, are heading towards extinction if we as the "Top of the Food Chain", and the dominant species on the planet, don't intervene NOW! I'm not a "Tree Hugger" by any form of the word, I just happen to love animals (of all kinds... except spiders. YUK!). and I feel that to hunt or abuse these creatures to the point of extinction is NOT LOGICAL or humane. What in the HELL is wrong with us?
OCTJMHO... ICBW
