MMG and DDG Travels: Buffaloes Change Our Day, Yellowstone NP Day 5

We had planned to drive through the Park to the Northeast entrance and then drive the Beartooth Highway over the top of the world. BUT, when we went through the West entrance, the rangerette on duty told us that "...over the next 14 miles, they are moving the Buffaloes and there is the possibility of 1 to 2 hour delays....".

Not for us! U-turn time! North from West Yellowstone on US 191 to US 287 north and west to Ennis, MT, where we stopped at Restveldt & Son Meat Market to stock up on Buffalo and Beef Jerky as well as the best Bratwurst we've ever had. Tried the Bratwurst for dinner tonight and the previous statement is still true!

Then on north on US 287 to MT 84 east to Bozeman, MT where we visited our favorite western region BBQ joint, Bar 3 BBQ. Last year we were a little disappointed in the quality of the food, but today they regained our trust. The brisket was really good and we liked 3 of the 4 home made sauces they provide. Oh, and one platter is more than enough for two to share!

The price of a Brisket lunch was a round of shopping -- Coldwater Creek, Wally World, Costco, and Rosauers Supermarket.

By then it was definitely time to head home -- 3:30 PM and still 100 miles to go. But wait! -- there's more shopping to do! As we drove by Mountain Arts Pottery the car literally drove itself into their parking lot. It may have had something to do with MMG's memory of a favorite piece of pottery she got last year or my memory of a great chocolate chip cookie I remembered from their bakery!

What a great decision! MMG found another couple of pottery pieces she needed and my reward for being a good guy was a big piece of the best cherry pie I've ever eaten! I wanted to take a whole one home with us until MMG pointed out that the price was $30!

Then, back on the road, straight up US 191 to West Yellowstone.

We were not deprived in the least on the scenery and wildlife fronts despite not being in the Park. US 287 follows the Madison River all the way from West Yellowstone to Ennis and beyond, along the way forming Hebgen Lake, a man made reservior, and Quake Lake, nature-formed by an earthquake in 1959. Quake Lake info here and Hebgen Lake here. US 191 follows the Gallatin River all the way from Bozeman to West Yellowstone.

OK, pictures! The following were taken from the shore of Hebgen Lake......

Osprey with breakfast.

Here's a sequence that shows how the White Pelican feeds. No dive bombing like the Brown Pelicans for this elegant dude!

Just cruising along.

Fishy prey spotted, the move begins!

GLUG!

Ha! Got him!

GULP!

Back to cruisin'

While the Great Blue Heron is thinking "What a crazy way to feed."

As we get to the natural dam that makes Quake Lake, the Madison suddenly breaks free of the mountain confines and enters the great broad valley that it follows for the next 60 miles or so to Ennis, MT. Here's the view from the top of the dam......