Day Four: Exploring the Park

The wind kicked up considerably overnight, so much so that the sound and movement of the van woke me in the middle of the night.  I had left a chair and small table outside, and even though I had collapsed them and laid them next to the van’s wheel, I started to worry that the wind might still blow them over the edge of the cliff.  I wasn’t worried about the value of the items, but I didn’t want to be the idiot that allowed that to happen.  So, I got dressed and went outside to check.  Fortunately, they were right where I left them.  I brought them in the van and went back to bed.

I awoke early.  I wanted to make coffee and head back into the park to capture some of the blue and golden hour light.  I wasn’t exactly sure where I was going, but finally stopped at the Fossil Trail Head, where I got some pretty decent photos.  It’s beautiful to watch the rocks light up and glow with rising sun.

Fossil Trailhead/boardwalk.  Even in black & white the morning light is cool.

My version of a "selfie"

The clouds were excellent from a photo perspective so I spent most of the day driving around the park looking for photo opportunities.  The park loop is not that long, so it’s easy to see the whole park without having walk or hike very far.  But, I do want to do some hikes before I leave.

I called it quits about 4 o'clock.  I was tired, the temperature was dropping fast (freeze warning predicted overnight), and the clouds were getting heavier, which meant there was no chance of sunset shots.  So, I headed back to the cliff view campsite.  I picked a different spot, but the view was equally as spectacular as the night before!

 I'll finish the post with a bunch of photos.  Remember that you can see a bigger version by clicking on the image.

The only hoodoo I have found, but there may be more further off the loop road.

This is actually just outside the park.  I couldn't resist the image!

Right after I took this shot this little guy yawning, he and others nearby stood up and screamed.  I waited to see if any of them would do it again, but they didn't.

This guy was just laying right next to the road, unfazed by the steady stream of tourists stopping to grab a photo (like me).  Perhaps he was just showing off his "best side".

Hoping to get a better shot a the bison, but I rather liked the way this guy was simply lying amongst the prairie grass.

Ansel