There is Joy . . . the adventure begins: Visitors in Yellowstone!

Cute! They walked across the road right in front of us.

Janet and Nick came to visit me in Yellowstone last Thursday and Friday. They arrived Wednesday and spent the night in the Old Faithful Inn and drove over to West Yellowstone to watch the Spurs play. (West Yellowstone is in Montana so they added another state to their list)

Thursday morning they met me at Fishing Bridge and we headed out. We didn't really plan to drive the Grand Loop through the park - but we did!!! We started out from Fishing Bridge headed to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and the Falls. Along the way we saw bison with their babies and a bear swimming across the Yellowstone River. It was bear day! We saw a mama bear and her two cubs - they walked right in front of our car. The babies wandered off into the woods but the mama stopped right by the road to eat. Janet's window was open and she could have reached out and touched her! A little further along we saw two more bears!!! The most I have ever seen in a day. We also saw lots of elk and bison with their babies.

Black bear.

Cinnamon colored bear.

at Mammoth Hot Springs

After visiting Artists Point, we drove up through the Canyon area (they rented a cabin there Thursday and Friday nights), Tower (saw the bears in this area), over Dunraven Pass (stopped for a picnic on top of the world), and to the Mammoth area. We hiked around the Mammoth Hot Springs area. It was only five miles to the north entrance so we headed there so they could add another entrance to their list. Somewhere along the way we decided we would try to eat at the Old Faithful Inn so we finished our journey around the loop. Fortunately, we got there early and were able to enjoy the prime rib buffet - and a Moose Drool! Janet and Nick dropped me off at Fishing Bridge and headed to their cabin in Canyon.

Elephant Back - probably waiting on me:)

Picnic at Lake Overview

Friday morning Janet and Nick met me for an early breakfast in the Fishing Bridge EDR (employee dining room). I think they were impressed! After checking with the rangers for hikes in the area, we hiked the Elephant Back which is about 3.5-4 miles with an elevation gain of about 800 feet. Felt like a lot more than that! I thought I would be adjusted to the altitude - but no. There were some "breathing breaks" but I made it. Beautiful views from the top. I think I need to hike with my age group from now on:) Our next stop was West Thumb to see the geysers and walk around the boardwalk. The ranger there suggested the Lake Overlook Trail so we took our picnic lunch and ate at the top. Much easier hike with the elevation mainly at the end. We passed some elk grazing in the field on the way up.

After lunch we headed over to the East Entrance in search of moose and big horn sheep. We saw a herd of ten big horns on the way back but no moose. We also added marmots to our list. We ended the day with a Moose Drool and dinner at the Canyon Lodge area. Another fun day.

Saturday morning Janet and Nick met me at Fishing Bridge for an early breakfast and goodbyes and then headed back through the Grand Tetons to Salt Lake City. They saw a moose in the Grand Tetons but it was a little bitter sweet - her baby had been killed by a grizzly the day before.