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"IN MEMORY OF MARY LOGSDON" - IN NOTE SECTION OF CHECK

AUGUST 7, 2006 - GIVE ME A HOME WHERE THE BUFFALO ROAM AND THE DEER AND THE ANTELOPE PLAY….

The bus for Yellowstone left early this morning. The weather was being very cooperative and the roads were nearly empty as we made our way toward Yellowstone. We entered Wyoming for about 10 minutes and the found ourselves back in Montana.

After entering the park, I was shocked to see that the fires from 1988 had been far more devastating than I could have imagined. Yellowstone is a huge National Park. It is larger, by far, than some States.

Most of it burned during that fire. It is obvious that it is coming back but it still has the unmistakable scars from that horrendous blaze. I attempted to focus on the positive in Yellowstone. I was fortunate to see those animals that are rarely seen by those of us from Sterling Heights. Elk were grazing nonchalantly alongside fly fishermen. Buffalo were right alongside the park road causing traffic jams, due in part to their particular lack of caring about motorized vehicles. 

Buffalo are the Army Tanks of North America. I watched one individual graze along the road edge, lift his head and walk right into the path of a Buick. The Buick hit the brakes and the Buffalo just walked across the road toward the truck. In effect we were surrounded. Some people got out of their cars to get near the beasts. This is NOT a good idea. I got out of the car, keeping the door open and staying within a quick jump inside the vehicle. I did get some wonderfully close pictures of these animals.

I also took photos of a herd that numbered in the hundreds and closely dotted the floor of a valley in the distance. See the photo submission for today.  Tonight is my last day of relaxing.  I leave for the north and ultimately to head east for home. I will miss this area of the country. I will also return.