Packed up…ate breakfast at ‘The Bunnery’. Sorry Ben its not a strip joint…it’s a breakfast place that makes their own buns. We didn’t have any buns. How sad. Quickly realized we were part of the Teton/Yellowstone cattle herd rolling through town. Walked around Jackson Hole…visited all 400 t-shirt shops…Mike tried on 25 t-shirts but bought only two. Chad picked up and inspected every refrigerator magnet ever created…only purchasing those of the highest quality of course…no purchase in Jackson however. Quant town…took some pics. Stopped by Teton Mountaineering to ask about climbing in Glacier, Banff or Squirmish.
Heading towards Yellowstone…stopped at Grand Teton National Park. A short range in length the Tetons are, but very distinct…Grand Teton about 11,000ft similar to the Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho with their jagged peaks. Great pics at Jenny Lake as well as at road turnouts along the way. Stopped at side of road where crowd was gathering…
Mike: Hey there’s a big group up ahead…must be something out there
Chad: Oh yeah.
Mike: Looks like an elk.
Chad: Yeah…probably just a deer.
Mike: I don’t think so…it looks a little big.
Chad: Might be a bison.
Mike: Uhhh…
Chad: Oh shit, that’s a bear.
Mike: A grizzly!!
Chad and Mike approach bear and pet it. Fluffy! Bear gives Chad and Mike a ride to den where they have lunch with the cubs…fresh salmon. Papa Grizzly can’t stop laughing after they tell them about their adventures in fly fishing.
Up the road a bit finally entered Yellowstone. Again, first priority is shelter then tourism. At the entrance every campsite was listed as available. But of course we did some tourism anyways. Drove a bit. Stopped by Old Faithful and the other geysers in close proximity. Pressure released by Old Faithful rivaled only by Chad’s potty trip in Grand Teton...with pipes under low pressure consumed largest chocolate soft serve ice cream cone ever produced…
Back on road to potential campsites saw a herd of bull deer and some bison. Got out of car and took some pics. My first experience with wild animals…thought it was pretty amazing to just watch them drink from the stream or lay in the tall grass. Clearly most of them are desensitized to the people. We gave the animals some space…some respect…other people getting close like they’re in an amusement park. Heard some stories before getting into the park of parents putting their kids on the backs of elks and having them bucked off and tossed…I believe it now after observing some of the observers.
Norris Campgroud…full, Madison Campground…full, Canyon Village Campground…full. Hmmm…spoke with a park ranger who suggested West Yellowstone, Montana about a mile outside of park.
Finally available spots in Bakers Hole Campground in West Yellowstone…phew. Set up shop. Went to bed.
2 comments:
soooo jealous you saw a bear!!!
though that caravan picture reminds me a lot of the kenyan safari.
ps - i really like those pics with the flowers and the mountains in the background. nice work!
pps - chad, emily wants to know if she can post some rfi's to this blog so you can help out in answering them! haha!
see you guys next week.
jenny lake!
i had no idea.
(jenn e. used to write ps pss psss, but i broke her of that habit.)
your trip is inspiring.
Post a Comment