May 25, 2017

What an adventure. Today was an adrenaline day for sure. We headed for Cody this morning and had to cross the Bighorn mountains again. 14A opened at noon after being closed for the winter so we decided to take it over the mountains. I drove so Leighton could yell stop, jump out and take pictures. It was pleasant enough when we started up but when we reached the top, the wind was blowing, there was ice fog and snow. The side of the road with mountains had at least 4 feet of snow on it and the speed limit was 65. I think I did 20. I thought going up was bad but down was frightening. The grade was 10 percent for 10 mile stretches. There were run away truck ramps every couple of miles. My heart rate was up so much it felt like I had been working out. We survived and once again the scenery changed. It is so different in a short space of time. Here they call the mountains cloud catchers. With all the excitement it was still a great day for pictures. We saw deer, antelope, moose, and marmots while crossing the mountains, then bighorn sheep and the wild stallions of Pryor mountains in the Bighorn National Recreational area. We drove down dirt roads and found beautiful hidden areas. Tonight we are staying at the Robins Nest B and B. Robin is an artist and her husband Bob gives tours in Yellowstone. Tomorrow we will drive through Yellowstone to get to our cabin in the Tetons. We are having a blast!

Heading up the mountain we ran across the Pronghorn races.

Sibley lake was the next notable sight through the trees.

Then a much better view of the lake.

The stream down from the lake provided a clue to the depth of the snow.

While waiting for 14A to open, we were treated by these three lovely faces.

We also stopped for a picnic lunch next to this stream.

We also saw signs or the approaching spring.

And marmots out for some morning sun.

As hoped, when we started down 14A we saw a couple of moose and they shared some photo time with me.

A picture of the little one.

As we continued on 14A, we were surprised by ice fog and then blowing snow as the temperature dropped to 29.

We were quite amazed at the amount of snow remaining and how the road just disappeared around the bend.

Finally we stopped at the Prior mountain wild horse information center.  They gave us a map and told us where we could probably see wild horses.  They also suggested we take a side road to see Devils Canyon and possible so bighorn sheep.  We did and were floored at what we saw.

Another view of the canyon but no big horns.

We did see a crevice tree that didn’t make it.

And finally we saw a wild horse.

Then more having an eating contest.

And a stallion “herding” his mare.

The mare.

The stallion – note the interesting markings.

Another mare.

After we turned around to head toward Cody we came across this band of brothers.

A few eved=n gave a head on view.

One last shot of the stallion.