We made the drive from Valley City to Gardiner with out any issues. The change from flat plains to hills and eventually to mountains was beautiful. I have never been this far West in Montana, the difference between East and West reminds me of North Dakota in how they are polar opposites.

We pretty much followed the Yellowstone river to Gardiner, seeing how it ebbs and flows is intriguing. At some areas is a small slow moving river and others you see white crashing into the rocks peaking out of the water. As with rivers come wildlife. We saw two herds of deer and two herds of elk. You could see a bull bugling but it couldn’t be heard from inside the van. Once in town we saw small elk perusing down the sidewalks and lounging in open grass patches. Hopefully they don’t get accustomed and learn to move outside of the town a bit to where they will be a bit safer.

Day one in the books, and already settled into our rooms; I am looking forward to what the true beginning of our Yellowstone adventure has in store for us. Until tomorrow..