Wild West Adventure

We got on the road and were able to check into The Canyon Village Lodge early. The lodge was renovated in 2018, the rooms were basic (no AC) but clean and comfortable. We were fortunate to get a room with a patio and chairs. We visited the Visitor Education Center which focused on past volcanic activity and current impact to the park. The guide was very helpful in pointing out where animals have been spotted in the Lamar Valley and the best spots and timing to visit the Grand Canyon. After a little afternoon rest, we headed out to the Lamar Valley to see what we could find in the late afternoon and evening. Per the Ranger, to find any wolves, look for the pack of people with spotting scopes! We found the pack but they were following a coyote as it was stalking

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23 chapters

20 Jul 2023

Day 30 & 31 - Yellowstone Part 2 – Lamar Valley and Grand Canyon

August 14, 2023

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Yellowstone National Park

We got on the road and were able to check into The Canyon Village Lodge early. The lodge was renovated in 2018, the rooms were basic (no AC) but clean and comfortable. We were fortunate to get a room with a patio and chairs. We visited the Visitor Education Center which focused on past volcanic activity and current impact to the park. The guide was very helpful in pointing out where animals have been spotted in the Lamar Valley and the best spots and timing to visit the Grand Canyon. After a little afternoon rest, we headed out to the Lamar Valley to see what we could find in the late afternoon and evening. Per the Ranger, to find any wolves, look for the pack of people with spotting scopes! We found the pack but they were following a coyote as it was stalking

pray. We watched for a while and like the other 30 people there, could have throttled the foreign individual that walked out into the field and chased the coyote away. The coyote did cross the road which allowed for some interesting pictures with cars stopped to watch as he just stood in the road. We continued on and ran into a local who shared photos and recordings of his encounter a couple of days earlier where 13 wolves that were at a bison carcass. On our drive back through the valley, we stopped and chatted with a couple who had a scope set up, viewing a grizzly bear in the distance, I got a couple of photos, not very good due to the long distance away. As we made our way back to the Lodge we encountered a Bison Jam, it is a little intimidating to be taking photos in the pull-off and have a bison come straight at you. Yes, I got back in the Jeep as the male bison walked in front of us and crossed the road. It took about 15 to 20 minutes for the herd to cross the road and we were able to continue on our way. Back to the room where we had an impromptu charcutier board and drinks on our patio. Perfect end to a great day in Yellowstone.

Up early and off to the Grand Cayon of Yellowstone. It may not be as vast as THE Grand Canyon, but it is still very impressive and beautiful. We took the rangers advice and started off at

the Brink of the Upper Falls (109’ drop) for a short hike to see the Yellowstone River cascade over the falls. Next was another short hike to Artist Point on the South Rim, where we were provided a stunning view of the Lower Falls (308’ drop). This is the truly awe inspiring, we took a lot of pictures but not sure if they will live up to the photos made famous by Ansel Adams. We moved on to the north rim for a different perspective of the lower falls but were slowed down by a Bear Jam. A mama bear and 2 cubs were in the brush by the road, Pat attempted to get a picture, but they had started to move back into the forest. We made it to the North rim and caught the morning light just right to see a rainbow in the falls’ mist from Lookout Point, I hope the photos do it justice. We moved onto Grand View where you still see the falls but also more of the canyon. You start to get an appreciation for all the diverse layers of the earth as you look at the surrounding canyon walls. Last stop was Inspiration Point, a good spot to put the camera down and just enjoy the view and take in what took thousands of years to carve this beautiful canyon.

Time to move on from the Grand Canyon and start the trek

around the Grand Loop Road and back towards the West Entrance, but first an Elk Jam. Like the Bear Jam, the road was clogged, correction, stopped, due to three bull elk foraging along the road, we got a couple of very so-so shots. They are amazing to see up close and appreciate their size and velvet racks this time of year. We moved through Hayden Valley, another good spot for wildlife viewing but being late morning, didn’t see much besides a few stray buffalo, to quote Pat, “I’ve seen enough buffalo”. We made it to Fishing Bridge Museum and Visitor Center, it is like walking back in time, the center is the same today as it was in the 1920’s, I think the only thing that has been updated is the gift shop! From Fishing Bridge, we started the 25-mile drive along Yellowstone Lake towards West Thumb; the lake is a high-elevation lake, 7,733’ above sea level, 136 square miles with 110 miles of shoreline and over 400’ deep in locations. It is amazing to drive along, looking at a normal shoreline and then you see a thermal spewing steam and draining into the lake.

From West Thumb we went inland towards Old Faithful, we were able to catch lunch and see an eruption. It is amazing to watch, it goes off ever 91 minutes (plus or minus 10 minutes),

130 to 180’ in the air and last about 2 minutes. After Old Faithful, we were bushed and went back to the rig for a nice dinner and good night’s sleep.
Pictures: Lower falls, Elk, Old Faithful lodge, Buffalo jam, Grand Canyon, Old Faithful.

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