Got up early to beat the swarming crowds of super-tourists with selfie-sticks to Old Faithful and explore the south loop. Major attractions being so road-accesible in Yellowstone is really double-edged sword. You can get there quickly and easily, but so can everyone else.

The morning started out on an awesome note when, as just having gotten started, we noticed a coyote right off the road. It was a beautiful animal, not at all the scragly thing you picture in your head when you hear the word "coyote". As we sat there watching it, we noticed by its mannerisms that it was hunting something and we were right. We watched through binoculars as it gulped down two field mice. We were the only ones there and the only ones present to see it.

After that, we entered the Geyser Basin area which was super cool

And then on to Prismatic Springs and Old Faithful

At this point, we were pretty raggedy and tired. It was only 2ish and we hadn't had a shower in a couple days. We really didnt feel like doing much so we decided to hit one of Yellowstones swimming holes to get "clean" and lay around for a bit. It just so happens it was located in the middle of a 640 million year old lava flow which was pretty sweet.

We also did this!

The current was strong but the water was deep and it grabbed you and took you about 10 ft down river before it lets you up. Looks scary but a bunch of kids were doing it and we weren't going to let them punk us.

After that, we went back to camp, cooked supper, and prepared to go out to Hayden Valley for sunset. Down in the valley we got some serious buffalo time. The buffalo were rutting, so they were rolling around in the dirt making all kinds of noises and fighting. It was pretty wild. So wild that the police have to run them off the road with their sirens to keep traffic jams from happening. One charged right across the road in front of us and as we were leaving Steph could have pet one out the window. They are awesome and powerful creatures.

As the day wound to a close we watched the sunset in the Hayden Valley. Great end to a great trip.