Thursday, September 22, 2011

Wow!  That’s all I can say about our first day at Gardiner, Montana – the original entrance to Yellowstone National Park (http://www.gardinerchamber.com/).

Our campsite on the bluff overlooking North Yellowstone

Kathy and I found the best RV grounds to date with the perfect RV site.  We are at the Rocky Mountain RV Park (http://www.rockymountainrvpark.com/) less than one mile from the North entrance to the Park.  Our site is on top of the bluff overlooking the Yellowstone River, the town of Gardiner, and the magnificent entrance to the park.

North Yellowstone Visitor's Center

Downtown Gardiner, MT

We took a little excursion to town to visit the Yellowstone Visitors Center and to see the North Gate, the original entrance to the Park, which President Teddy Roosevelt dedicated on April 24, 1903 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roosevelt_Arch).  I was able to get a picture or two of it.

The entrance to Yellowstone dedicated by Teddy Roosevelt in 1903

As Kathy and I sat eating our dinner at sunset with a cool breeze winding its way up the canyon and river, off to my left I noticed movement about 40 yards away as the light was beginning to fade.  To our surprise I saw an Elk cow and her calf, then several others come up the bluff in front of our RV and began grazing underneath the street lights about 40 yards away.

A Bull Elk next to our campsite

Kathy was easing her way to the fence to take a picture when I noticed something huge out of my right peripheral vision – a large BULL ELK!  How massive, regal, and majestic!  We were in awe for about an hour as we mutually observed each other with curiosity.

I realized that although I was playing our music as we ate outdoors, that did not deter the elk one bit. They came up the draw from Yellowstone River below as if they owned the place.  Unfortunately it was too dark to get any decent pictures.

As the day ends, God's light shines on the Arch

We begin our adventure of the Park, tomorrow!

Steve and Kathy

No bad days!