Day 2 - Yellowstone, Lamar Valley

Started the day with an over-the-top B&B breakfast that included chocolate crepes and an amazing fritatta. That kept us fortified for the 4-hour drive to the north entrance to Yellowstone.

First stop was the visitor's center where we witnessed a young lad take the Junior Ranger oath. Dave decided he wants to be Junior Ranger too and bought the kit with all the activities and extensive requirements; an adult has to sign off his work - I volunteered.

Fun fact - when Yellowstone became a national park there was no park service yet, so the Army was called in to protect it (mostly from poachers). A fort was built in the park. When the Park Service was established a number of years later, they took many of their procedures from the military - that's why they all wear uniforms, have badges, etc. Just think Yogi Bear.

We chose the Lamar Valley for our first day's exploration where we heard there were lots of animals. After driving about 5 minutes we came upon a elk. Not long after that we saw pronghorns, then a few bison, and then an entire herd.

Its pretty easy to spot the animals - just look for the collection of cars stopped by the side of the road. We heard horror stories about how crowded it is in the summer, but so far its almost like we're the only ones here (no traffic jams, no lines at the visitor center, always an open parking space).

We drove all the way to the northeast entrance and had a delicious dinner at the aptly named Log Cabin Cafe just outside the park. Fresh trout - yum.

Driving back through the park as the sun set around 9 we came upon a frisky black bear who wandered up to the road about 25 feet from us. Had we seen him while hiking at home we would have freaked out, here it was something we waited for all day.