Yellowstone National Park

Apologies in advance but there are going to be a lot of photo's - I've tried to keep them to the key images but there is so much about Yellowstone that was amazing I had quite a job.

Here we go...

We've become so used to dramatic scenery we didn't think about wildlife yet Yellowstone has it in abundance - you can literally fall over it. We stopped at least twice because of the bison in the road!

I had to include this photo although it is very hard to make out but that is a grizzly bear just going behind the tree in the middle - I was so excited (or scared) I didn't get a good camera shot.

As well as wildlife Yellowstone is also a geologically interesting place with the famous Geysers and hot pools (which smell of sulphur - not pleasant!)

Although it was 70 degrees there is still snow in June (note the long sleeves and trousers - not for the cold but for protection against the mosquitoes - there were loads of them and they have a vicious bite)

Top tips for Yellowstone

• Spend as long as you can there - it's vast, interesting and awesome. Also wildlife can play havoc with your schedule as evidenced by the 40 minute traffic jam we got stuck in when bison decided to walk along (not just across but along) the road.
• You need to protect against the mosquitoes - they are vicious
• You also need to protect against bears (seriously). There is plenty of advice given throughout the park including the use of bear repellant (holy bear repellant Batman!)
• Make sure your camera battery is charged and you have plenty of digits
• We stayed 30 miles outside Yellowstone which, in hindsight, was not great as it meant we had quite a long drive back after a long day in the park. However, if you want to stay in or nearer the park you'll have to book about a year in advance - or camp!
• We bought an annual National Park pass for $80. To visit all the parks we have been to up to this point would have cost us $130, and we haven't finished yet, so we are quids in!
• We went to Yellowstone on a Saturday and it felt busy so would suggest you avoid that day - if you can. It was just the way our itinerary worked out.

Tomorrow it'll be Bighorn National Forest and some dam interesting photo's!