This morning we are heading back to Yellowstone in search of waterfalls and wildlife. Along the way we are treated to a surprise thunderstorm which gives us some nice lightning and then some awesome Mammatus clouds over Jackson Lake at the base of the Grand Teton range..

We stop at Headwater Lodge to see if we can get any food as we had not breakfast this morning. We went back to the Cowboy Cafe but they were temporarily closed. Turns out they had a minor fire in the kitchen and had to clean the restaurant before they could re-open for business. We enter the Lodge only to find out that they have stopped serving breakfast and it’s too early for lunch so we go around to the other side of the building to the convenience store to look for some sandwiches and snacks to fill our tummies and of course a some coffee for me.

The first stop is at Lewis Falls and we get out for some pics but Mike says this is nothing compared to what comes next. We are back in the van heading for Lower Falls when we have Buffalo sightings. This time we have a massive old buffalo just moseying down the middle of the road and eventually off to the side so traffic can resume. Definitely not in a city setting that’s for sure! We come upon the Mud Cauldron and all I can say is “PU”. The smell of sulfur is over powering. Once we are done here we are back on the search for the Lower Falls.

Mike was not kidding earlier when he said Lewis Falls was nothing compared to this. Lower Falls are higher than Niagra Falls, and it is just magnificent! The pictures definitely do not do them justice what soever. To hear the roar of the water and see the power in them is just an experience of a lifetime. I try to capture as much of the experience in both video and photographs. Hopefully you can get an idea of how breathtaking this was.

Our last stop in Yellowstone will be the Mammoth Hot Springs. Oh My this was simply another impressive naturally made masterpiece. You can see different colors of orange, gold, and white. They mineral deposits that have flowed out over the centuries has created a terrace or step like appearance. As I’m going up the walkway I spot an elk across the way out side a small building so I stop to take pictures. Meanwhile, Randy has gone on ahead and finds another elk actually sitting in the middle of one of the hot spring terraces. The funniest sight to see. Unfortunately by the time I make up there she has moved off, so the picture you will see was taken by Randy Walton.

It is now time to head back to our lodge for our last night in DuBois. We again see many deer and yes our heard of cows are in about the same location as last night, only this time we are a little bit earlier and catch them with half the heard waiting to cross the road. Luckily they wait for us to go by so there are no free steaks coming home with us. When we hit town we drive right by the lodge and go to see if Cowboy Cafe has made a quick recovery and are thrilled to see it bustling with activity. Again this is just a little tiny place with home cooked food and you know the food is good when there is a light outside waiting to for an empty table. You spot a table that looks to be finishing up and go over and chat them up and move right it to grab the table! We were lucky that a booth was open but by the time we left there were still several parties out side waiting to get in. I highly recommend this little place to anyone in the DuBois area.

Back to the hotel to charge up all the equipment because we are leaving here in the morning to head back south for two days of storm chasing before returning to Denver on Tuesday. Please time will you just slow down? I’m having way too good of a time and don’t want this to end.