Wyoming 2008

Today we have a long way to go - over 100km (65 miles). We start out at 8am but it is still very cold. However, the cold air makes the area look almost surreal.

We had an earlier encounter with an elk along the road. It was kind of stuck between the river and a steep hill. It took a while to get past it - but it wasn't as scary as a bison. After we turn left at Madison, we come a long a large herd of bison. However, they seem to be at a safe distance and quietly grazing. We stop to take a quick picture, but then discreetly we try to make our way past them.

This is going to be a major obstacle. Six bison are making their way along the road. Cars back up and slowly manage to pass the bison. There is a steep slope on the left and a river on the right - so no real place to go for bison. We try to work our way to the front of the line - but as soon as they see us, they get nervous and start to run. Great! How will we ever go past them if they don't go off the road. We try to get some escort from cars and RV's - but it doesn't work. But suddenly they pull up the steep slope and we cycle as fast as we can past them before they return to the road and continue their journey. Big relief we make it past them safely!

We pass a few more bison herds until we make it to Norris Geyser Basin - but no more close encounters. We make a stop to explore the basin before we move on.

The 20 km (12 miles) from Norris to Canyon Village are not very exciting (just lots of pine trees). We take the one-way side road along the Virginia Cascade and continue to climb until we come to a plateau. And then it is a nice long downhill all the way to Canyon Village.

The loop road along the Canyon rim is closed for construction, and the road to Artist Point has a big downhill and we don't feel for climbing back up. So we stay at this bridge to see the Yellowstone River flow by.

The Hayden Valley is well-known for bison. We see some, but none that bother us. The valley is very beautiful with the Yellowstone River cutting right through it.

We make several stops to take pictures and absorb the immense beauty of this vast valley.

We are surprised we made it so easily to Bridge Bay. The weather was perfect, the scenery stunning, which made the 100km ride almost effortless. We are almost sorry that the ride for today has come to an end.