No matter how much you read about Yellowstone, you cannot fathom its size or diversity without a visit. The two million acre park sits on one of the largest volcanically active sites in the world. It’s the site of several huge volcanic eruptions, and was forged by glaciers, geologic uplifts, fires and lava flows. The mountains, canyons, rivers, and serene valleys are nearly a continent in themselves. Along with the geysers, bubbling mudpots, flowing thermal features and - of course- the wildlife, it is awe inspiring and grander than you can imagine.
On this day, we had a specialty guided tour, just our naturalist and the two of us. The highlight of the tour was when we stopped to take a hike along the rim of the Yellowstone river – across from the road where most tourists view the river and Tower Falls. We’d heard from a ranger that a black bear was headed over the ridge toward the area where we planned to stop. sure enough, 5 minutes into the walk, we spot the bear ambling along, and a family, blissfullly unawares, just about 50 yards from the bear. After shouting words of warning, and watching some scrambling among family members, we were in a great spot to watch the bear as it walked along not far from our path. We tailed the bear at a fair distance and I got some reasonable video of the handsome black bear. Pausing on the bluff over the river, we could look across to osprey and their nests on the sheer walls. We also saw crowds of people. It kind of felt like being in the zoo, wondering who was watching whom.
As it turns out, we were being watched – and filmed. Another touring family met us as we returned after our hike and showed us their video of us on the bluff – and the black bear walking just below the rim where we sat. They’d been viewing us from across the chasm. That video is in the blog posting just before this one.
We’d seen another black bear, and a far off grizzly. We’d hoped to sight one of the wolf packs, but they were not granting visitors today. Apparently there are a lot of changes going on in the various wolf communities, and their hangouts are not as predictable as they have been in years past. The wolves have had a lot of impacts since their reintroduction in 1995, and mark a real success for naturalists hoping to get Yellowstone closer to its true natural state.
The elk, bison, pronghorn were pretty readily seen. It was a treat to spot a group of bighorned sheep on a cliff wall. The two kids scampered and played. It was almost too much like an animators rendition of their antics. Later, we came across mountain goats with whiter, fluffier coats. Birds of prey, robins, bluebirds, osprey, and a few marmots and other smaller critters. A very rich day.
Just very quickly: this video was taken of us on our guided naturalist hike in Yellowstone. Along with our guide, Ashea, we’d been viewing this bear as he ambled along his path, but veered off to find a place to have our lunch. We were being watched -and filmed - by tourists on the opposite side of the Yellowstone river. Thanks to Duncan H. for this clip.
Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44FWJstUIqo
We had to discharge our civic duties and vote on Tuesday, June 6th. Then, it was off on a McClain road trip.
Our destination was Yellowstone, but it’s impossible to ignore some of the awesome locations along the way. From San Diego, the most direct route is I-15, and the most obvious stopover is, well, Las Vegas. That wild and crazy city was out of character with the nature oriented plan for the trip, but we enjoyed it.
By coincidence, the day before our departure, we were talking with a neighbor (one of the members of the neighborhood “black and tan” dog owners clique.) He mentioned that the Cirque de Soleil show “Ka” was the best he had ever seen. We don’t always take suggestions literally, but he mentioned other shows he’d seen, and his views sounded in line with ours, so we took it as a credible recommendation.
We ordered tickets for Ka online and got front row seats at the late show. The theatre was designed with structures staged on all four sides. Just in front of our knees was a wide rail the entire stage width. It was used often during the show, so the actors were literally in our faces. The production was just incredible – we learned later it is the most technologically advanced show in the world. The stage is a moving platform that can be vertical, horizontal, or almost any position in a half sphere. It was used to great effect to show mountains, oceans, and more. You will distrust your own perceptions. Just go see it, it can’t be described.
The morning we departed, we walked around town. The Bellagio has the water fountain “ballet”, now surging to Elvis’s “Viva Las Vegas”. If I remember correctly from our previous visit to the Bellagio, when it was owned by Steve Wynn, the music was more classical. During the morning, they make a test run, so we watched as the engineers and divers ran their operational tests. They couldn’t resist the music either, and we watched as one burly guy lip-synced Elvis. Very funny.
From Vegas, we headed once again northeast, towards Utah. this state is home to some of the most beautiful territory we’ve ever seen. We stopped in Zion National Park and buzzed past Bryce Canyon. We’d been to both before, so it was really a refresher. Both are worth spending days to view their wonders.
OK friends, family and spammers (our biggest readers - thanx for all the hints about riverboat gambling, online casinos, viagra and other drugs).
Our next adventure is a Road Trip to Yellowstone National Park. And along the way, there are wonderful western sites to see - Indian ruins, dinosaur tracks, and a few of the places Fred lived in his childhood.
We’ll be on the road on Tuesday, if the Landcruiser is willing and the crick don’t rise.
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