Home on the (Bison) Range (Missoula, Montana Post)

As we were driving through, we stopped at the National Bison Range.  We were advised to visit by a couple on the shuttle in Glacier National Park.  This settled the Bison/Buffalo debate between Karen and me.  (I was right, despite what she says.) We have bison in this country, where as a buffalo refers to the Cape Buffalo of Africa, or the Water Buffalo from Asia.  However, the terms "bison" and "buffalo" have been used interchangeably in the United States to refer to the bison.  It can also be noted that the only other bison exists in small numbers in European reserves and is called the wisent.  

The newest exhibit at the bison range, a pet on a leash.  Strange... it looks a bit like Timber...

The rusty brown colored bison in the center is a calf.  Bison calves are a rusty brown for the first two months.  

The bison calves and the mothers (cows)

Other creatures inhabit the bison range such as birds, deer, and Timber's personal favorite, the Pronghorn Antelope.  

The valley was the former home of a giant glacial lake, and quite a bit of the bison range would have been underwater.

The view from the highest point of the bison range.  

Dad is "King of the Bison Range".

Timber spies, with her little doggie eyes: a bison!

A fawn in the flowers...

...The mother is nearby, watching...

We are spending the rest of the day driving, and have just stopped to let Timber stretch her legs.

A Tale of Broken iPods, Buffalo Wings, and Niagara Falls (Buffalo, NY post)

Karen broke her iPod about a week ago by dropping it on the pavement, so today we found ourselves in the Buffalo Apple Store receiving a replacement.  It was quick and by the time we finished near lunchtime.  If it didn't break and if we didn't stop, we wouldn't have visited Niagara Falls on this trip.  Good things really do come out of unfortunate events.


For lunch, we had Buffalo Wings at the birthplace of Buffalo Wings, Frank and Teressa's Anchor Bar on Main Street in Buffalo.

Then, we reached Niagara Falls.  We embarked on the Cave of the Wind walk.  It was awe-inspiring to walk so close to Niagara Falls and feel the water as it cascades down the rocks and spray the observation platforms.  As I was walking, I realized that Niagara Falls was truly one of God's miracles.
Imagine, 75,000 gallons per second cascade down American Falls.  These pictures really don't give credit to the beauty and majesty of Niagara Falls, but here they are.

This is the Observation Platform for the Cave of the Wind Walk.  

Rainbow Bridge (the bridge linking the US and Canada), the Observation Tower, and American Falls.

American Falls in the foreground and off on the right side in the background, Horseshoe Falls.  

Out of all of the many pictures I took today, this next one must be my favorite!