Terry and Kathy Living Our Dream: Cody, Yellowstone & Chief Joseph Scenic Byway

We arrived in Cody Friday July 8th after an overnight stay at the Fountain of Youth RV Park in Thermopolis, WY. We debated on which route to take from Hermosa, SD to get to Cody since there were a couple of different routes. After driving 368 miles on Thursday we were ready to find a place to park. You know they always say the unplanned stops are always the best. Well that was definitely the case here. There is only one World's Largest Hot Spring and it is in Thermopolis. People come from all over the country to soak in the healing waters so we did not miss the chance to spend several hours in the pool at the park that was fed by the hot spring.

On Hwy 20 between Shoshoni and Thermopolis is Wind River Canyon. During all my research of things to see in Wyoming I did not come across any thing that would have directed us to this drive even though in 2005 it was designated as a Wyoming Scenic Byway. At the north end of the canyon is Wedding of the Waters where the Wind River becomes the Bighorn River. The rushing river flows right beside the road. There are tunnels along the way and at one point you can see three of them at once and the train tunnel. This was a nice surprise to our trip.

Absarko Bay Campground in Cody was our home for 6 nights. Our first day trip from Cody was to see The Buffalo Bill Dam and State Park, Yellowstone and ending the day taking the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway back to Cody. One thing to remember about Yellowstone National Park is it consists of 2.2 million acres so no matter what you what to see in the park be prepared for long drives.

The pool at Fountain of Youth RV Park fed by the hot spring.

The hot water felt wonderful. I did get light headed trying to politely end a conversation with two other guest in the pool that just would not stop talking.

The pool is divided into 3 sections - warm - hot - hottest. I am in the area that is hot with the water temperature being 106 degrees.

Hot spring feeding the pool.

This park is just a few miles out of the town of Thermopolis.

Park needs some TLC. Sites are to close to each other.

Wind River Canyon - picture borrowed from the internet. This area was gorgeous.

Buffalo Bill Dam

One of three tunnels you drive through to get to the dam. The colors in the rock were so intense.

Can you find the crock in this picture?

Here it is-

The dam is 325 feet high 70 feet wide at the base and 200 feet wide at the crest. The structure was built between 1905 and 1910.

It is a concrete arch-gravity dam. At the time of its completion it was the tallest dam in the world.

Shoshone River

The river had so many different shades of green.

Crystal clear water

The Shoshone River is a 100 mile long river. Fishing and rafting were seen in several different spots along the river.

The Shoshone River ends when it runs into the Big Horn River near Lovell, WY.

Unique formations on the side of a cliff.

Mark it off the bucket list we made it to Yellowstone National Park. This is the East Entrance and did we get lucky no long lines to get into the park.

Sylvan Pass - 8530 elevation

A stop at Yellowstone Lake and a Boys Scout Troop doing what they do best - helping others in need. Not to smart to drive off the main road to get a closer view of the lake.

Yellowstone Lake is North America's largest high-altitude lake. It has 141 miles of shoreline and is 20 miles long by 14 miles wide. Surface elevation is 7733 feet.

Its deepest spot is 410 feet. Its average depth is 140 feet. Average August surface temperature is 60 degrees-bottom never rises above 42 degrees. All I know is the water was extremely cold when I decided to put my feet in it. Brrrrrr!

Yellowstone River

Yellowstone River is the last free flowing river in the lower 48 states. From its headwaters in Lake Yellowstone downstream 670 miles to the Missouri River in North Dakota.

Mud Volcano

Smell of sulphur in this hydrothermal area

This root caught my eye. I could picture this in my flower bed at home. So unusual and pretty.

Mudpots

Various gases escape through the wet clay causing it to bubble.

Dragon's Mouth Spring

Surprised to see this much vegetation in this hydrothermal area.

This bison is laying in a hydrothermal area. Amazing how they can navigate through this area safely.

Next few pictures were taken in Hayden Valley.

Quite a bit of waterfowl were seen in this area.

Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River

Volcanic and hydrothermal activity have created the 109 foot Upper Falls.

The best shot I could get of this elk from the jeep. Unbelievable the number of Asian tourist along with their small children only a few feet away from this elk trying to get a closer look.

Above the treetops

The wildflowers were beautiful.

This picture only captures what is in front of me but what is not seen in this picture was just as beautiful. I found myself turning in circles to take in all the beauty around me.