Yellowstone National Park

   JULY  22, 2019 – Drive to YNP –   

After the Grand Teton NP it was a direct drive north where GTNP turns into YNP and more miles of forest and mountain vistas until we reach Grant Village. There are no towns or places for fuel or groceries until you get into YNP. Whereas the Grand Teton NP had general stores stocked well with just about anything you could want including fresh produce, the stores in YNP were the opposite. No greens except a head of dull lettuce, some apples and bananas, some bread and lots of snacks, chips, candy etc. You’d think the clientele that includes hikers and cyclists would request healthier stuff.

 

YNP is a very difficult place to visit unless you start your booking process at least 6 months if not a year before hand. Given we didn’t even know we’d have a RV a year ago we knew it would require patience and luck. To start things I found a lodge room in Grant Village for July 22 and lucky enough, about 2 weeks ago found one night at Bridge Bay Campground. As soon as we arrived we started frequent inquiries to the reservation people to try to secure additional nights. Advice was given to get to Norris CG before 7AM and spots would probably be available.

We spent some time in the Lodge lobby while waiting for the room to open up enjoying some version of wi-fi. It was enough to get us to finding a place to schedule a newly needed repair. The kitchen sink drain pipe connection “nut” was cracked and flapping in the breeze. We learned this yesterday when water was mysteriously coming from below the drawers under the sink.  We’ve a temporary fix with super glue until we can get to Rapid City SD for an assessment and estimate to repair.

After making a few calls and getting organized we had some time before checkin at the Grant Village Lodge. We decided to drive over to Old Faithful. Turns out it was the same Monday afternoon that a 9 year old girl was attacked by a bison. Apparently, per a NPS ranger we spoke with, a group of people were too close (< 75 yards) and had encircled a lone bull bison. He got upset and took the quickest route out of the circle which happened to be where the little girl was. She was not hurt badly as treatment at the medical center occurred and she was released. If it had been serious, or there had been any broken bones, she would have been sent to a hospital for additional treatment. She was very lucky.

We encountered several occasions where people were far too close to the wildlife.

Old Faithful did not disappoint. We wandered along the boardwalk and away from the gathering crowd near the Old Faithful Inn. We were a bit farther away but we were on our own and had a chance to enjoy the brief eruption without others. Old Faithful is fairly predictable and she erupted within 10 minutes of the forecasted moment. in DC this week will visit the Cherry Blossoms at the Tidal Basin. We timed our DC visit so well!!!! After lunch with a few former colleagues yesterday, we went to the Wharf, rode the free taxi to Haines Point, seeing a bit of the very familiar Fort McNair, and then walking along the channel up to the Tidal Basin. What a pretty day to see the nearly perfect cherry blossoms. Then to the mall before heading off to see another colleague. What a nice day!!!!

http://www.nnonthewind.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/bison_Trim.mp4

  JULY 23, 2019 – YNP and Bridge Bay Campground 

As we had previously booked a campsite at Bridge Bay CG, on Tuesday we had the day to tour around on our own. It was good to have seen Old Faithful the day before so now we could drive mostly north. We could see Canyon Village as well as check the distance to Norris CG as we’d have to go there very early on Wednesday morning to secure a site for 2 more nights.

Near to Grant Village Lodge, 2 miles away, is West Thumb Geyser Basin and paint pots and other hot activity. West Thumb is a bay like body of water connected to Yellowstone Lake. It turns out that it is its own caldera from a separate eruption within the much larger Yellowstone caldera.  The colors of the minerals are indicators of the types of bacteria living in the waters that vary from hot to very hot and steamy. One attraction is Fishing Cone which has been the most popular feature. Its unusual location along the lake shore and its symmetrical cone above the water were popularized by early stories of “boiled trout.” Abyss Pool is also noted for its depth and colors. 

We saw kayaks and an odd boat on the lake and learned later that the park is trying to reduce the presence of lake trout that is an invasive that is reducing the native species of cutthroat trout.  Gill netting is used and they are reducing the numbers over time, but it still will take years to get the proper balance back. The lake trout were introduced by “unspecified persons” back in the 1990s. The gill net allows the cutthroat to swim through but catches the larger lake trout. The photo shows the pelicans begging for a handout behind the boat!

Along the drive we saw a number of lone bull bison. They wander most of the year on their own. In early August they catch the scent in the air and head north to the valley where the herds of females and young are. There are also “bachelor herds” for the males who haven’t figured out how to be a dominant bull when courting the ladies. 

We came upon a view point overlooking the Sulphur Cauldron. It was steamy and smelly but two bison were relaxing near the warmth of the thermals. Before getting to Canyon Village we took the turn off for the south rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. Somewhat impressive with great colors, a good waterfall and if you looked carefully, steam vents coming out of the sidewalls of the canyon.

After a full day of driving and sightseeing we headed back to the camp ground. Thom was hooking up to the dump station while I wandered around to see the marina facilities. He was somewhat excited as I returned as he pointed to his right. I wasn’t sure what the big deal was until I saw the bison about 30 feet from us. He was closer when Thom first noticed him! 

The bull was wandering along and crossed the road into the campground we were headed to. I remarked that I hoped he didn’t find our site and decide to stop for a nap. After checking in we went to our site and we were pretty lucky! He had decided to stop in the adjacent site……

He snacked for a while before lying down and resting. A little rain fell and that triggered him to get up and munch some more. Maybe it’s for the water on the grass? He then continued grazing and wandered very close to us before crossing the road towards the comfort station. I wasn’t aware that he was still close by until I went to the ladies room and confronted him face to face about 25’ away, where he was lying down next to a tree. I ducked quickly into the rest room. When I came out he was standing which was not a good sign. They say if you see wildlife reacting to your presence, then you are too close. I quickly walked back to the RV and he moved on elsewhere during the evening. 

I got my fill of close up bison photos!!!

JULY 24, 2019 – Canyon Village CG

Early start – up at 5:45 to get to Norris CG at 7 to find 2 nights. It was a long wait but we did secure 2 nights which meant we could stay for the duration we wanted in YNP. 

We drove over to the Canyon Village CG with the hope of securing one night due to a cancellation. It’s a rare thing but hanging out at the check in office is the only way to do it. Thom did the laundry while waiting in his camp chair right in front of the office.  Got one night!!! Good for proximity to the Lodge for Circle of Fire tour in the morning. We’ll boondock in the Norris CG tomorrow night, our last night.

  JULY 25, 2019 – YNP Circle of Fire Tour 

It was not quite such an early start as we were 10 minute from the Lodge where the bus tour started from. It’s an all day tour that does the full southern loop of YNP.  We saw more of what we saw on June 23 but now with a really good narrative from our guide and driver Scott. We saw Old Faithful again and we were a bit closer so saw more water in the display.  We also saw some other thermal sites to the west that we hadn’t seen before. It was informative and nice for Thom to enjoy the scenery by not having to drive

JULY 26, 2019 – Departure from YNP

Departure day. We had a terrific four days in YNP. On our way out of YNP we went to the northeast entrance in Wyoming and towards Montana. We took a brief stop at Tower Falls and then onto the Lamar River valley known for its numerous herds of bison and wolves. It was the middle of the day so wolf sightings were not to be. But it was quite surprising to see the number of herds and the many bison – mostly female and the newborn “red dogs”. They were born a few months ago!

What we didn’t know on leaving from the NE Entrance area was that we were destined to go into Montana via an 11,000 foot pass….. Highest we’ve been while not flying!!!! The truck did fine as we had to go slowly given the numerous hairpin turns along the way. The views from “top of the world” were wonderful. There is still snow in the mountains as well as along the road we were on. We passed some snow removal equipment and wondered if they have to clear snow occasionally in the summer. It’s apparent when we saw the closure gates that it will close in the winter.

We have to be in Rapid City SD on Monday June 29 for the drain repair and decided to have 2 days with long drives so to have 2 nights in Spearfish SD before driving to Rapid City first thing Monday morning.  The city campground in Spearfish is very nice – quiet and with great amenities. We were a short walk to part of the old town where we had a terrific Mexican dinner.