Besides water. The Missouri/Yellowstone confluence–point of joining–is in North Dakota, about four miles east of the Montana state line. What makes this river confluence important enough for this huge, beautiful Visitor Center? Let’s have a look!
Name one thing that is great about Yellowstone in October: Off-season lodge rates. Name one word of caution about Yellowstone in October: SNOW. Since I love staying at the new Canyon Lodges with steep discounts and the aspen and cottonwoods are in sparkling yellow now, I’ll take my chances. It is a gorgeous day to drive along the Gibbon River to Norris Junction then heading east to the Canyon area. The Gibbon River has thermal features along its banks and is one of only a few Yellowstone rivers flowing north to south, but that’s a story for another day. Today we are heading to Canyon’s Washburn Lodge, staying the last two nights before the Canyon area closes until next May. Tomorrow morning we will walk the northern end of North Rim Trail to explore waterfalls and canyon walls. This will be such fun.
Each Mother’s Day we head to Yellowstone to spend time with Harlequin Ducks. It is an overcast day, but no rain so all is well. These amazing diving ducks grace us by breeding in wild LeHardy Rapids of the Yellowstone River, one of only a few places they visit in the lower 48 states. We have talked of them before, so let’s just enjoy our time with them.
Living life in dangerous waters . . .
It’s Mother’s Day and once again the Harlequin ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) are at LeHardy Rapids not far from Yellowstone Lake. They visit here annually and so do I. Let’s share some time with these fearless critters.
