When we first stopped at the CLOSED sign not far from the main gate of Yellowstone the sky was almost completely clear and blue.
After parking the truck, enjoying the views and picture taking for a few minutes it was obvious that more snow was beginning to blow in.
This place was absolutely gorgeous, and we have talked with people in town who have encouraged us to go up to Yellowstone as often as possible because it changes so much from week to week and season to season.
On this day there was moderate temperatures, changeable skies, heavy snow on the ground and periods of light to moderate snow falling.
Warm and sunny in Cody and all of this just 48 miles up the road...........
This STOP sign is not nearly-buried by a snow bank.
The snow was actually this deep...........
An unploughed campground driveway close to the entrance......
We stopped on the way back to Cody, but while still deep in the snow-covered mountains, to walk Jamie and to eagerly explore a bridge we had seen from the highway..........
My beautiful and spoiled mutt leading the way and playing Point Dog as usual.
She hates to have either one of us walking in front of her.
Jamie has gone through a lot of changes in the past year.
Separated from me for five months. Traveling from Tennessee to Juneau by truck. Spending a few days in the truck on a ferry. Living in Juneau. LC leaving for six weeks. Traveling by ferry again and then by truck to Montana and then Wyoming.
She has taken it all in stride.
She is sweet and spoiled and dedicated to the both of us.
I grew up in a house where my parents dropped our dogs off out in the country when they got tired of them.
I still remember watching through the back window as those dogs desperately ran after the car until we finally sped out of sight.
It is only in my adult life, and after I had sons that I allowed dogs to touch my heart.
She is a sweetheart and a very real part of the family..........
The view from the bridge.......
On the way to the bridge (that was about 1/2 mile from where we parked the truck) Jamie and I walked in the ruts in the snow made by snow mobiles.
On the way back to the truck Jamie walked with LC and wandered off the make-shift walkway into the snow.
It was deeper than she knew or expected and it was hilarious watching her fight to get her footing again.
She had a great time.
And so did we............
LC and James walking ahead of me as I stopped to take pictures of the scene around me............
LC loves the scenery closer to Cody - the rugged rock formations, the high hills and higher mountains that are 15 miles or more from town but which seem so much closer, the layers of color within each of the sandy hills.
But this - THIS - is what moves me............
Chimney Rock...........
After taking pictures of Chimney Rock I crossed the highway on foot to take pictures of the river and the still snow-touched mountains.........
LC reading a sign in the parking area that provided information about the longhorn sheep that dominate the area.........
One of my favorite pictures from the day..........
We passed one more herd of bison on the way back to Cody.
These guys were standing right by the road grazing.
They were a little too close for comfort for me to get out of the truck, so while LC kept an eye on this herd (that were watchful of us but seemingly unperturbed by our presence) and ready to leave at the first sign of aggression, I stayed securely in my seat and snapped these pictures..........
One last stop close to the end of our exciting trip..........
We have been in Cody for a week or so now, and I like it very much.
The people appear to be good, decent, friendly and straightforward people.
In the space of 50 miles there is everything from desert to alpine mountains.
Sun and sand to pine trees and snow.
Places to four wheel and places to ski.
It fits well..............
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