My memory is getting shorter and shorter and so I have resolved to be more punctual about my blog. This is probably more than you will want but remember it is serving as my substitute memory. :)
Tuesday Sept. 29th 2009We left Logan at 7:00a.m. We drove via Soda Springs arriving at the beautiful Snake River in the Targee National Forest at about10:30. After exploring the river bed and surrounding area we took a wonderful nap. (Temp.72 blue, blue sky)
We intended to take a ride on the tram at Teton Village but found they were closed for the summer. Most everything closes on the 29th of September. We then decided to take a raft ride on the Snake. They talked us into taking the White Water run. I was scared but we donned wet suits and off we went. For two and a half hours we had the time of our lives. I'd like to do it again when the water is even higher and there is more white water.
That afternoon we drove out to Jackson Lake Lodge where we had reservation. We had dinner in their beautiful dinning room while watching a gorgeous sun set behind the Teton Mount Moran.
Perfect day -weather has been very pleasant. Lodge accommodation very good.
Wednesday Sept. 30th
Weather took an abrupt change. It was 19 degrees last night. It is stormy and cold this morning but still beautiful. After breakfast we drove up to Jenny's Lake & Signal Mountain Lodge. Most of today was spent at the National Museum of Wildlife Art. Oh how I enjoyed my time there. I saw a video of Robert Bateman's life and his approach to his art work. They had just opened a new display of Thomas D.Mangelsen's photographic work- really inspiring. We had a delicious lunch at the museum.
There is a large group of Wildlife photographers at the Lodge. They have come from all over the world and include big companies such as Disney and Discovery. They have made our stay more interesting. We have seen some of their work and attended one of their critique sessions where they were evaluating photos. It was really interesting and I learned a lot. We also saw one of their films about Meerkats.
Very few people get to see a moose at this time of year. I felt really lucky to get this shot.
Tonight we again had dinner at the Lodge and were lucky enough again to have a window seat. We saw a herd of about fifteen cow elk running across a part of the meadow and behind them protecting them a big bull.
Thursday Oct. 1stWe are on our way to Yellowstone. We will be staying at Old Faithful Inn instead of Yellowstone Lake Hotel because a forest fire has made it impossible to get to the Hotel.
Three stops on the way to Old Faithful; Lewis Falls, West Thumb Geyser Basin (no pictures) and Keplar Cascades. Temp at this point was 28 with bitter cold wind.
The river filled with lily pads and frozen. Everything was frozen.
Arrived at Old Faithful.
As we pulled into the Inn property we saw two beautiful elk with two little ones. The little ones are cuddled in the grass and photo didn’t pick them up.
Old Faithful Inn is a fantastic old building. You can't describe it and pictures don't come close to reality but this is a picture of the inside. Built at the turn of the century it is enormous and beautiful in a very unique way.
After dinner we took a ride to see if we could see some of the wildlife we are not suppose to feed :) We did see one big bison, he was right on the side of the rode so it was easy to get a picture.
Another Bison the same trip
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Right now we are sitting in the lounge, reading, listening to someone playing the piano and enjoying the big crackling fire. It is snowing.
Friday Oct. 2ndThis morning we took the Firehole Basin Adventure tour. It was three hours of exploring and explaining the''underground plumbing'' in Yellowstone. Our guide was fun and very well informed. He showed us good examples of the four types of thermal events and explained them; hot springs, geysers, mud pots and fumaroles. We rode in a refurbished 1936 White tour bus. It was surprisingly comfortable.
Today we have seen fourteen of fifteen buffaloes (bison) and four more elk. No bears, they are high on the mountains feeding on pine nuts and the Moose have gone south for the winter to Jackson.
We took another ride along the Firehole River it is beautiful. We saw the Firehole Fall and Cascades.
What a wonderful four days we have had. Tomorrow we head home. We will go out the west gate and go through Island Park, Idaho Falls and home.
Saturday Oct. 3rdOn our way out of the park we encountered an Alpha 1 bull elk
and his harem of about fifteen females. Most of them are hidden behind the bushes.
Across the road was a young bull with four or five females.
The big bull was most definitely aware of the younger one and was actively keeping his group well collected in a group away from road.
If you ever are passing through West Yellowstone and need some breakfast we strongly recommend Running Bear Restaurant.
We made two stops in Island Park, first at Big Springs& Jake's Shack, and second at Mesa Falls. Both places have the most beautiful water I have ever seen.
We also stopped to see the temple at Rexburg and the B.Y.U Idaho campus.
Well that is it for today. Thanks for your patience.
Perfect day -weather has been very pleasant. Lodge accommodation very good.
Weather took an abrupt change. It was 19 degrees last night. It is stormy and cold this morning but still beautiful. After breakfast we drove up to Jenny's Lake & Signal Mountain Lodge. Most of today was spent at the National Museum of Wildlife Art. Oh how I enjoyed my time there. I saw a video of Robert Bateman's life and his approach to his art work. They had just opened a new display of Thomas D.Mangelsen's photographic work- really inspiring. We had a delicious lunch at the museum.
Very few people get to see a moose at this time of year. I felt really lucky to get this shot.
The river filled with lily pads and frozen. Everything was frozen.
Another Bison the same trip
The big bull was most definitely aware of the younger one and was actively keeping his group well collected in a group away from road.
