On the move

We left Grand Teton National Park this morning - in the cold and rain. Despite the sometimes dreary weather our week+ in the Tetons was entirely satisfying. We had some great hiking and the scenery was inspiring.

We just left the park and began climbing on the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway toward Yellowstone when we hit the snow line. The temperature outside was 41 degrees when we left the campground, but started to fall as we approached Yellowstone, 8 miles north, but considerably higher in elevation.

It was beautiful, though, and the roads were clear.

Entering Yellowstone National Park through the South Entrance.

As we headed north, towards Old Faithful, it got colder and there was more snow on the ground. Around the Continental Divide it was 35 degrees and there were a couple of inches of snow on the ground and slush on the road.

But, by the time we arrived at the Old Faithful thermal areas, the sun was out, the snow was gone and ...

the bison were on the move. This classic-looking guy was strolling along the road just north of Old Faithful.

On the road to West Yellowstone there were a few vehicles stopped by the side of the road and when we arrived we saw this herd coming down the hill...

enter the water...

and begin to swim across the Madison River. They crossed the river and then came up and across the road righting front of our car. It was a great scene to watch!

We left Yellowstone just after noon and travelled 88 miles up the Gallatin Canyon to Bozeman and I-90. Shortly after leaving Yellowstone the sun came out and the temperature began to climb, reaching 71 degrees as we travelled I-90 to Butte, where we are staying this evening. I believe that these gorgeous mountains are the Bridger Range just north of Bozeman.