Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Yellowstone and Grand Tetons











We've spent the past two days touring Yellowstone and the Grand Teton National Parks. The north end of Grand Teton is only a few miles outside the south entrance to Yellowstone. They are both so spectacular we are already planning a trip back to stay longer! Right now we are getting the Readers Digest version of just about everything. So much to see, so little time. This is a spectacular country with breathlessly beautiful scenery and we are so thankful to be able to take this trip.
We've seen mountains with glaciers on them fronted by pristine lakes, canyons that take your breath away to look into, geysers (including Old Faithful) spewing water and steam, roads winding between huge boulders that looked like children were playing with them and so much wildlife we couldn't begin to count. We hiked down hundreds of feet (and back up) to see the lower falls of the Yellowstone River. It was exhausting but probably the most memorable part of the past two days. After watching Old Faithful do its thing, we went into Old Faithful Lodge, built in 1904. It is the largest log structure in the US and has a vaulted ceiling that is probably 4 stories high. You can sit on the porch upstairs and watch Old Faithful erupt as much as you want.
The last hour of our time in Yellowstone was filled with wildlife. We came up over a rise, looked out over a huge valley covered with buffalo, some of which were within a foot or two from the road. The contrast of the buffalo to the yellow vegetation was a sight to behold. It was truly awesome. It is rutting season so the males were very interested in the females. What's new!!
We also saw a lot of elk, the males bellowing (or whatever you call that high pitched sound they make) so loudly you could hear them from 1/4 mile. I guess they are calling their women, too!
We've seen many shallow, winding streams and rivers with lots of fly fishermen. The highways in Montana even have fishing access parking lots like other states have rest stops. If you enjoy the outdoors, this is certainly the place to be.
We are exhausted but happy. Staying in Bozeman, Montana tonight with plans to see some old friends tomorrow.

2 comments:

  1. Hey ya'll! Just got a chance this morning to catch up on all your adventures. I was gone all last week to Disney with my daughter, so the last two days at work have been full of catching up. Sounds like you all have been having a great time. Happy late birthday to Mike! Keep posting so that those of us that will never get to go to all those places can enjoy it through your stories and pictures.
    Sharon G.

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  2. Those are some awesome pictures!

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