Livingston, Montana

Livingston was the original entrance to Yellowstone National Park.  It was at this depot railroad passengers on the old Northern Pacific Railroad

traveled 50 miles to Gardiner to catch the park branch line.

 

Depot was built by the railroad in 1902 and used for

 passenger service until the late 1970's.  The yellow vehicle is a Yellowstone classic tour passenger van.



 

The architecture is Northern Pacific Railroad style with
Italian terra cotta flair. The Depot is now a museum. 

A typical steam engine with passenger cars used on the route.

Walking around the neighborhood near our RV park,
we found homesteads with views and peaceful settings.

 



Wide Open Range in Montana

 From Yellowstone to Livingston, Montana
the vista and open range is spectacular landscape.
 

 

 

 



 

Whoa there.......we need to give the right away to this Cattle Drive.

 

 

 

 

Both cowboys and cowgirls herding the cattle.

 

 

 

 



 

Dogs are looking out for stragglers.



Yellowstone National Park Wyoming

 

In 1872, Yellowstone became the world's first National Park. The land area covers 2.2 million acres of forest, grassland and water.  Most of the park is located in Wyoming and small portions lie in Montana and Idaho. 

 

 

 We camped in the town of West Yellowstone at Grizzly RV Park and

used the west entrance to explore the park.

 

 

Old Faithful Geyer spouts thousands of gallons of steaming water

 on average every 92 minutes. 

 

 

Talus stone is formed when large rocks break down

from exposure to the sun and snow. 

 

 

 

 Norris and Firehole River Geysers Basins have the largest display of geysers.

 

 

 Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is 20 miles long.  The two major waterfalls are 109 feet and 308 feet at the Upper and Lower falls.

 

 

Hayden Valley is an old lake bed formed by glaciers.  This is the area where most bison and deer, Canada geese, elk, bears and wolfs hang out

except today.

 

 

 Wildlife traffic jam.  What are they all excited about?

 

 

 One lone bull bison grazing in the meadows.

 

 

 

Mud Volcanos are bubbling hot in Hayden Valley.

 

 

When a bison has an itch, he needs to scratch himself.  Trees around the park look like this where the bark is worn off.

  



Near the Sulphur Caldron is the Dragon's Mouth Spring.

Steam on rock creates a roaring sound and

a water wave which looks like a tongue.

 



 

West Thumb Paint Pots located on the shore of Yellowstone Lake. 

 

 

Lakeshore geysers hot springs and bubbling paint pots.

 

 Fishing Cone is one of the many geysers submerged off shore.

 Fishermen used to catch trout and cook their meal in the boiling geyser water.

 

 

 Yellowstone Lake is over 140 miles long. The lake is so large it creates its own weather. A storm was forming during our visit.

 

 

Lower Geyser Basin is Yellowstone's largest hot spring.



 

At Mammoth Hot Springs mineral laden hot water comes

to the surface and builds large deposits of travertine limestone.



 



 

 



Pendleton, Oregon

 

Pendleton is the largest city in eastern Oregon.

 

 

The city is best known for the Pendleton Round-Up Rodeo,

fine woolens and leather craftsmanship.

 

 

Pendleton Woolen Mills was opened in 1863 by the Bishop Family.

 

 

The Native American inspired robes, shawls and blankets

are made of 100 percent wool.

 

 

Weaving loom in action.

 

 

Colored spools of wool.

 

 

Left over end pieces displayed for sale

  to customers making braided rugs.

 

 

The Hamley Family moved to Pendleton 107 years ago

and brought with them their saddle making craft.

 

 

The store stocks western clothing, tack, saddles, bronze statues and other art.

 

 

Saddle makers craft saddles to fit both cowboy and horse.

 

 

Notice all the different color ropes on the back wall.

 

 

  A special saddle with hand carved leather

 is priced at $5,500.00

 

 

 A 75 foot long lariat rope

 to lasso your cow for $800.



 

Now the last thing you need is a good cowboy hat.

 

 

 Farming and ranching around Pendleton is a proud tradition. 

Hundred year old farms dot the countryside.



Columbia River Gorge Oregon

 

At Portland, Oregon we followed the

Columbia River Gorge east.

 

 

In the USA, the river drops from the Cascade Mountains at 4,000 ft. to

sea level at the Pacific ocean. 

 

The river travels 80 miles between the states of

Washington and Oregon. 

 

Houseboats in the urban areas of the river near Portland.

 

 



From green forests to dry grasslands.

 



The large river supports barge traffic.

 



At times the river seems to be a lake.