Inspiring travel stories, tips, and guides from a couple exploring the world one destination at a time.
Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park is incredibly diverse. There are many iconic American species. From bison and elk to bears and wolves, Yellowstone’s animals are a major draw for visitors from all over the world.
Theodore Roosevelt first visited the North Dakota Badlands in 1883. He was an avid hunter and conservationist. Back in the 1800s, he was very aware of the devastating effects of America depleting it’s natural resources.
Last Updated: May 25, 2026
We spent a full week in Gardiner, Montana, at the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park. It was the perfect base — a short drive to the entrance gate, and each morning we were greeted by elk and pronghorn antelope right along the road. We explored the park on multiple days, covering the Lamar Valley, Mammoth Hot Springs, Norris Geyser Basin, the Madison River corridor, and more thermal features than we could fit into one visit.
Last Updated: May 25, 2026
From the Bighorn Mountains, we headed west to Cody, Wyoming — the eastern gateway to Yellowstone and one of the most historically rich small towns in the American West. It rained for much of our stay, but that didn’t slow us down. We spent a half-day at the extraordinary Buffalo Bill Center of the West, made a full day trip into Yellowstone through the dramatic east entrance, and enjoyed every bite of the local homemade food.
Last Updated: May 25, 2026
From Larchwood, Iowa, we headed west to Devils Tower National Monument and the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming. After Devils Tower, we stayed in Buffalo to explore the Bighorns and drive Crazy Woman Canyon.
Last Updated: May 25, 2026
After visiting the pine-covered Black Hills in western South Dakota, we headed east through the grass-covered prairies to the Badlands. French fur traders called the area “les mauvaises terres à traverser,” meaning “the bad lands to traverse.” The Lakota knew it as “Mako Sica,” which likewise means “bad land.”
