July 21,
2001. Grant Village, Yellowstone Park, WY to West Yellowstone, MT. (56 mi.) Mile
3063
We
enjoy our last day in Wyoming
This
morning was warmer than yesterday, so it was easier to get an early start. At
the exit to our campground, we heard an elk bugle, and rounded the corner to
find ourselves in the middle of an elk herd crossing the road. The herd was
predominantly cows with spotted calves of various ages. We didn't see the bull
elk, and tried to keep our distance from the cows, who eyed us assertively.
They are big animals, especially when you are on a bicycle.
A few miles farther we visited our
first geothermic attraction, the geyser basin at West Thumb. The cold morning
air accentuated the rising steam and hot water running directly into
Yellowstone Lake. Our digital camera fell off a pannier while I was juggling
cameras here, and the battery compartment door broke. I was worried that there
would be no more digital images the rest of the trip, but we have it patched
with duct tape. Still, the camera is now temperamental, and I have missed
pictures because of this. I am hoping for better photos from our Canon SLR to
be added to the journal later.
1) 
2) 
3) 
1) Steam rises from the geysers at
West Thumb
2) Board walk along Yellowstone
Lake
3) A bull bison browses outside the
gift shop at Old Faithful, a potential wildlife-human encounter of the dangerous
kind.
We were very glad to see that there
was a good shoulder on the Yellowstone highway from West Thumb on, especially
westbound. We crossed the Continental Divide two more times before dropping
down to Old Faithful. Out West, the roller coaster riding is on a grand scale.
Old Faithful geyser erupts about
every hour, and we hung out and enjoyed this area for at least 3 eruptions,
eating lunch at the lodge while I typed away on the laptop. We tried to find a
data port, but when Old Faithful Lodge was constructed in 1904, the original
builders did not plan ahead for data ports. Though often a hassle, sometimes
trying to connect a computer while on this trip has led to more adventure and
an inside look at interesting nooks and crannies.
We had a downhill trip following
the beautiful Firehole River Valley from Old Faithful to West Yellowstone, past
several geyser basins and herds of elk. A bull bison blocked our path once,
and we encountered a few wildlife traffic jams before crossing the state
border into Montana and touristy West Yellowstone. For the third night in a
row, we have pitched our tent in a campground next to that of another
westbound cyclist, Jen Saks, a vet med student from Virginia cycling solo across the
country. She joined us in going out for dinner.
