Every now and again, it’s good to get off the beaten path, and blaze a new trail. Or at least explore the road less travelled, which is exactly what Sexy Hubby and I did this weekend whilst on our way to a picnic in the park.
Yellowstone National Park.
After all, it’s only over an hour away and we hadn’t visited all summer.
Bridge to Old Yellowstone Trail
Old Bridge Up Close
Old Bridge Side View
Old Bridge Over the Yellowstone River
Looking Over the Yellowstone River
The Nuts and Bolts of the Old Bridge
Weight Limit 8 Tons
Old Yellowstone Trail Runs Next to the Yellowstone River
Fishermen on the Yellowstone River
Fields along the Yellowstone
Devil's Slide
Here an object met our attention which deserves more than a casual notice – two parallel vertical walls of rock, projecting from the side of a mountain to the height of 125 feet, traveling the mountain from base to summit, a distance of 1,500 feet.
The sides were as even as if they had been worked by line and plumb-the whole space between, and on either side of them, having been completely: eroded and washed away.
We had seen many of the capricious works wrought by erosion upon the friable rocks of Montana, but never before upon so majestic a scale.
Here an entire mountainside, by wind and water, had been removed, leaving as the evidences of their protracted toil these vertical projections, which, but for their immensity, might as readily be mistaken for works of art as of nature.
In future years, when the wonders of the Yellowstone are incorporated into the family of fashionable resorts, there will be few of its attractions surpassing in interest this marvelous freak of the elements.
For some reason, best understood by himself, one of our companions gave to these rocks the name of the “Devil’s Slide.” The suggestion was unfortunate, as, with more reason perhaps, but with no better taste, we frequently had occasion to appropriate other portions of the person of his Satanic Majesty, or of his dominion, in signification of the varied marvels we met with.
— Nathaniel P. Langford, Wonders of the Yellowstone, 1871 {according to Wikipedia.}
Devil's Slide, Gallatin National Forest
The Joys of Summer
As we neared the end of the Old Yellowstone Trail, with the Roosevelt Tower – and northwest entrance to Yellowstone Park – within site, the dirt road forked.
Sexy Hubby began down the right fork, the one we’d taken time and again. Then he braked, nudged the truck into reverse, and ambled to the left fork of the old, dirt road. The road curved upward, if ever so slightly, and we couldn’t see what was at the end of this road, or where it went, if anywhere.
Slowly, as we crested to the top of the hill, to our amazement, we discovered a long, lost jewel, hovering within viewing distance of Gardner, Montana.
Wait until you see the secrets of the past which we discovered this sweltering summer day…
I love your photos. The close ups are my favorite.
Thanks JD4′s Momma!!!
KT
Glad you washed your feet! Loved the pictures:)
You think I washed my feet? The photo is sepia toned for a reason!!
Ha!
Thanks for taking me back to one of my favorite spots.
That’s what I’m here for Barb!
Great pictures! How old is that bridge? I might just go and Google that now
Kiddothings recently posted..What Makes A Perfect Vacation?
Kiddo…I have no idea how old that bridge is? Good question. Now, I’ll have to look as well!
Thanks for visiting AAL!
KT
Oh, I so love those feet in the mirror. That truly portraits a good time.
Mama and the City recently posted..How to NOT hate farmer’s market
Mama in the City,
Yep, love that photo! That’s Montana summer freedom at her best….now, a photo of my feet out the window would be covered in my Uggs!!!
Thanks for stopping by!!
KT
Very nice. Gorgeous photos. Love the feet! Couldn’t help thinking it would be fun to be in the fishing boat… although a little frightening.
Cookie’s Mom recently posted..The Perfect Vacay
Oh Cookie! No fear – as long as you where your life jacket!
Thanks for saying hello!
KT
Honestly, I cannot get over that sky! So blue and the clouds perfectly puffy. I’ve never been to Yellowstone, but your photos conveyed such a strong feeling, I felt as if I was there.
NotWifeZilla – Yellowstone awaits you! It’s one of the best kept secrets this side of the Mississippi!!
Hugs,
KT
Your photos are so well-done they could each be made into a painting. Seriously!
Beautiful trailside photographs…
Ado recently posted..10 Surprising Places to Travel with Kids
Why, thank you Mom-A-Log!
And thanks for visiting me!
KT
These are wonderful photos Katie. I like wandering around places close to home too.
Stasha recently posted..Monday Listicles
Way to tell a story with photos! I loved them all. That “Devil’s Slide” looks amazing. But I especially enjoy your perspective on each shot and particularly enjoyed some of the more unusual photos like the “Old Bridge Close-up,” “The Nuts and Bolts of the Old Bridge,” and the “Weight Limit 8 Tons.” Very fun and very artistic
I have never been to Yellowstone National Park… but would love to go.
Kate F. (@katefineske) recently posted..Breathing is Living
I’m waiting! Love the feet out the window photo!
Jamie recently posted..i want to be on reality tv
Thanks Jamie!