We travelled south to a dispersed campsite we both enjoyed along Beaver Creek, between Hebgen Lake and Earthquake Lake. It has been a couple of years since we last camped there and the creek had carved a new path in the canyon, so unfortunately our favorite spot is now day use only. We were camped a ways from the water, but it was still a nice night even with the creek noise much further away.

The next day we entered Yellowstone NP and got a first-come spot in Madison CG for the night, at the junction of the Madison and Firehole Rivers. We spent the day exploring the Firehole River geysers. It’s been a couple of years since we have been to Yellowstone. You forget how beautiful and iconic the place really is. We hiked to one geyser that, like many of the geysers, empties into the Firehole River.

We also saw a herd of bison off in the fields by the river.

The geysers stretch for many miles along the river, but a lot of the smaller roads do not allow RVs, trailers or buses. Forest Fenn’s treasure could be hidden near here in the land of his summer youth, but the Roamer is not the vehicle you want to explore the many remote areas.

The geyser pools vary in size and color due to the mineral content. The water looks clear and blue, but very hot.

We pulled off the road and set up a table in the shade for lunch while we enjoyed the views there.

The largest geyser in the string of geysers is Old Faithful which erupts regularly a few hundred feet into the air. You quickly realize that many of the folks watching Old Faithful are from all over the world.

The next day we decided to head west and leave the park via the Lamar Valley and the northwest exit. On our way there we ran into a little congestion when a herd of bison decided to use the road to pass through the canyon.

The Lamar Valley is a beautiful area with wildlife all over the place.

We spotted herds of pronghorn and bison, but no wolves or bears.

There were several hundred bison in various herds along the valley.

We left Yellowstone and headed east towards Cody, WY. We camped just outside the park at Soda Butte CG, near Cooke City, MT. Due to the local brown bear population, no tents were allowed. As I was talking to the host in the morning, the lady next to our camp site came up and told the host that someone had stolen her husband’s shoes from under their camper in the night. The host explained to her that it was the local foxes that will take anything with salt on them. He had already lost two pairs of work gloves that year when he mistakenly left them out. Based on the look on her face, I’m not sure if she believed him or not.