Today we ventured forth on frozen roads to Yellowstone Canyon and Hayden Valley. This time the wildlife did not disappoint us. We encountered a herd of bison shortly after entering the park and the fun continued. Hayden Valley was as beautiful and expansive as ever with bison, birds, and a lone coyote mousing in the meadow. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone was magnificent in snow.
On the way home we tried a little unintentional off-roading. Note to self: 30 mph is too fast on an icy 6% downgrade. After an interesting slide we plunged rear first off the road and into a tree. I shifted into 1st with 4×4 and drove back out of the ditch onto the road…going back the way we had come. The only damage is a crack in the plastic bumper and a slight dent on one side where we played bumper cars with a small tree on the way down. We found a turn around and navigated the same hill safely the second time…at 20 mph.
Our day in the park ended with a nice drive along the Madison River with fishermen, elk, and bison to photograph.
Paul
Travels With Picasso 
Sorry to read about the unfortunate egress which reminded me of my first and last ride with a sidecar on a dirt road in the Philippines. Elli was in the sidecar and I on the driving machine. I wanted to break in a descent which also turned; the dirt made us skid and we went sideways; the third wheel took it very badly and just folded under the sidecar. And, must I add that I made a reamarkable entry into the village where we were going, after having been pulled out of the ditch by a passing jeepney.
I am glad that you take all that in stride and continue to enjoy the beauties of nature in the park.
Finally, must I add that we expect your own egress to be vividly, graphically, and picturesquely documented.
Whoops–that may have been too much excitement for one day, animals, snow and crashing…retirement is treating you both well!
Robin, excitement is what retirement is all about.
Correction…we didn’t “crash”. We simply slid off the road backwards and a kindly tree stopped our unfortunate egress from the roadway. Our terrific Ford Escape took it all in stride, never dying, and when I shifted into 1st gear she drove right out of the ditch, shook off the snow and dirt, and went back up the hill for another try. Love that car!