In life there occasionally come times when small facts stored deep in one’s brain from years ago suddenly appear. Valley of 1,000 Smokes is one of those facts. Back in 2^nd or 3^rd grade I was taught basic American history including opening up the American West. At some point we studied Yellowstone and I learned about the active magma under the  ground and how the explorers named the region with Old Faithful the Valley of 1,000 Smokes. While driving to Old Faithful from our campsite up in the mountains on a cold morning which included snow, we descended into a valley and I exclaimed … The Valley of 1,000 Smokes! I had not used that term in over 50 years.

Valley of 1000 Smokes

Yellowstone in late September is beauty defined. Unfortunately I had difficulty enjoying the majesty of our first national park. Unbeknownst to me, my grandchildren had gifted me with both the flu and pinkeye when we left Minnesota. When sick sleeping on the ground as the nightly low temperatures reach 25F is not to be recommended. My health grew worse and became pneumonia; Molly and I eventually decided to abandon our plans of a camping trip and seek the comfort a motel’s bed which would better allow me to recuperate. I actually scored a “birding lifer” during one of my rest days when I took a short walk down to Yellowstone Lake from our room at Grant’s Village.

Barrow’s Goldeneyes

Even if one is sick, the beauty is obvious. While I shortened my hikes and took fewer images with my camera, here are some of the spots I found special.

Beartooth Highway (on the way into Yellowstone from Red Lodge, Montana)

Lamar Valley

Hike to Shoshone Lake

Yellowstone River

The Elk! (he had quite an extensive harem)

A few more birds … the American Dipper and Clarks Nutcracker (It is amazing how the Dipper hangs on to rocks in the middle of rapids and ducks underwater for bugs)

My body is recovering and it is now off to the Grand Tetons … inside in a motel, not camping! I have to give a special shouts out to the staff at the clinics in both Red Lodge, Montana and Grand Teton National Park. They quickly diagnosed my ailments and sent me on my way with the proper medications. Ultimately I would need to alter our camping plans and head indoors, but that was not their fault.

Finally, winter will soon be a reality in Yellowstone. The Park Service has already closed down many of the campgrounds and services. Within a few weeks all the roads will be shuttered for the winter, and this magical region will be left to the true residents of the area … the animals and few birds which overwinter in this harsh mountain climate.