Aurora in Healy, March 2023

Wyoming

While we started the day in Laurel, Montana,  most of our 360 miles of travel was in Wyoming, ending in Douglas.  

Hot Springs State Park Thermopolis
Hot Springs State Park Thermopolis

The best part of the day was the Thermopolis area with Hot Springs State Park and Wind Canyon.

Hot Springs Mineral Terrace Boardwalk Thermopolis
Boardwalk through Mineral Terrace

It was fascinating to walk around the park with the hot water, sulfur smell, and surreal landscape.

Killdeer Love the Mineral Terrace

The park wasn’t busy.  There were a few other people walking around.   More people were swimming and soaking at TePee Pools and Spa, but it wasn’t crowded, and the shower room was practically empty.

Mineral Springs flowing into Bighorn River
Mineral Springs flowing into Bighorn River

It is $15.50 each for Tepee Pools which had many more options than the free State Park Bathhouse next door.   We enjoyed 6 different pools of various temperatures (the hottest was 106F).  I also enjoyed the indoor waterslide, which was quite fast if I stiffened up so that mainly my shoulders and heels made contact and not much else.

Bighorn River from Hot Springs State Park Thermopolis
Bighorn River from Park

We spent about 3 hours at the park, then got back on the road which headed south of Thermopolis through Wind Canyon.   There were cool formations and tunnels.

Wind Canyon near Thermopolis
Wind Canyon

We saw 333 (!) Pronghorn today,  plus 3 deer. 

Pronghorn East of Yellowstone NP
Pronghorn East of Yellowstone NP

Only 5 or 6 days left until we get home. 

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