We drove down out of the Rockies into Cooke City, MT.  The place is small and something of a tourist trap. We paid $4.50 a gallon for regular gas.  And we ate lunch in a wonderful old mountain inn and saloon before entering the park.

Driving through the Lamar Valley the first thing we encountered was buffalo.  Everywhere.  Unbelievable.  Why did the buffalo cross the road?  Because he’s a whole lot bigger than us and can go anywhere he wants to.  We took a wonderful picture as one took his time sauntering across the road in front of us.  Everywhere we went we saw more buffalo.  Wild rivers and incredible waterfalls.  It was difficult to know where to look  next.  Our first stop in the park – other than for the first 1,000 photos – was the Petrified Tree.  Remember when, as a kid, your mother warned you not to scowl or your face would freeze that way?  Well, that would be this tree.  It stood there so long it is now stone.

As we hiked in to see the tree we were met by two rangers warning us of unusual bear activity in the area.  We went anyway.  I’m a tourist from New York.

Our next stops were geological wonders.  Bubbling sulfer cauldrons and boiling mud pits. There were more warning that the odors sometimes make people sick and if you felt lightheaded or woozy you should leave the area immediately.  I was too fascinated to think about how I was feeling.  I could only stare and wonder about the first white men to encounter these things.  What must they have thought?  It was sacred ground to the Indians.  It’s not hard to imagine why.

We took the south drive out of the park, past Grant Village and  Yellowstone Lake.  The lake is pristine.  A cold, clear, azure blue.  Fed by dozens of mountain streams ad springs fueled by melting snow.

We stayed in a cabin in the Grand Tetons. They are the most beautiful mountains ever.  A stark contrast to the Rockies.  The Tetons are stark.  Very sharp and craggy. Almost barren peaks.

We got to the cabins late.  We hadn’t counted on getting there so late. Nor had we counted on the lack of places to eat.  We checked in at 9:30.  The kitchen of our resort closed at 9. They opened it again for us. Sandwiches and salads never tasted so good.

Our cabin was a dream.  Just like something out of a dream guidebook.  Built of logs with rustic furnishings and great beds covered with thick fluffy white down comforters.  Good Night never felt so good.