"If you go down to the Woods today...."

***Miles travelled today: 170

***Total Miles: still to be calculated

***States travelled through: Wyoming and Montanna

Well, having slept soundly after last night's escapades (and wow, what a fun night it was - almost like being 'adult children' playing out all night); we duly headed for the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway recommended to us by Chef Cody from the dude ranch we stayed at earlier this week. He had been full of stories including one, where as a very young wrangler,he and others had driven cattle from Montanna through the Beartooth Mountains to Cody. Well, we thought we'd follow his route today but luckily for us, it has been recently tarred and the journey easier, but not less scenic. The highway took us through mountain scapes that were vast and densely wooded,steeped and flat and at times resonated with the forlorn look of charred tree trunks - the evidence of a forest fire almost a decade ago. It was just simply quite incredible to drive through and although we only covered 170 miles today,the driving (done by Linz) needed some serious s-bend negotiating :) and frequent stops - not only photographic opportunities but sometimes, just to 'stop and look and let the tailbacks pass' (drivers in Wyoming really like to be up your b*tt when driving and don't even consider leaving a two second gap - that's just for filling by another car!).

We finally saw what is called 'Beartooth Mountain' which is still partially covered in snow, but if you were to imagine a bear grinning at you, you would notice that lovely shiny incisor wouldn't you? Well, that's exactly how sharp the mountain looks and the road just winds itself around it.....stunning.

Anyway, by this stage you might be wondering where this drive was taking us - we were heading west towards 'Yellowstone National Park' so that we could cut south to our current destination which will be our base for two days. This end of the Park isn't infamous for it's steaming geysers, sulphuric smell or thundering waterfalls, but for it's animals and so we hoped to see a few on my list (Linz says I always get really excited when out scouting - not sure if I get more excited at actually seeing the animal or 'poop-reading' And Then Finding the animal!).....what an adventure!

.....and what a delight!

Our first gift was that of a Black Bear that decided to cross our path in order to get away from the 'bear-jam' it had caused when crossing the road. We watched as it calmly grazed and foraged for 'stuff' eventually settling on the bugs inside a log. We could hear the sounds of it clawing and of it's mouth pulling at the wood to expose the nice fat juicy treasures that lay beneath. We decided to move on and allow others the opportunity of watching as we had and in so doing, we discovered calcite rocks that were so stark against the backdrop that we just had to stop and look again....

Well, no sooner were we on our way when we were discovered by the 'Daddy of all daddies - the Bison Bull'! We very quickly contemplated closing the window just in case he showed any interest but true to form, we opted to leave it open. Wow - are they huge or what ? Suddenly a 4x4 appeared piddly in comparison as he sauntered past, showing only a mild interest in the cars that had suddenly stopped around us....my goodness, you know when you've seen the Bigboy! That's another two off the list !!

What we were to see next, was something truly remarkable. We heard it before seeing it. We'd been following this river and there before us was a small herd of Elk cows with their young / new calves making their way across the river towards us. We stopped along with other cars, to watch and listen as a cow mewed and encouraged her calf to cross with her, but it appeared uncertain, trying but backing away. The more she mewed, the more it cried and she eventually returned and nuzzled it, whilst others managed to cross over. People whispered and remained still - knowing they had witnessed something beautiful and special. The only phrase I would have for this experience is 'to be in awe' . I guess we were both 'in awe' and bound, like others to this event.

....I realise I don't need a list of 'must and want to sees'. What we've seen today far surpasses that list, invalidates it. Tomorrow we'll accept what nature decides to share with us again.

Linz is fast asleep and I'm surprised she hasn't moved as it's thundering and lightening again outside (it has been a long drive and eventful day). She has also just begun to snore gently and so I've turned off the sofa light so that the room can experience the light from outside. I love thunder and lightening as it makes me come alive and sometimes (like now), when it booms; I just want to 'roar right back' ..... On that note, I think I'll stop blogging and just 'sit, watch and listen' as nature again, shares her final gift for the evening.

(and oops - before I forget, Sus - you need to place a sticker on West Yellowstone).