Trip Report June 19 thru July 1 - Day 4

[luvdamtns]

We have been planning this trip for two years....two LOOOONNGGGG years!! We awoke early, eager to once again be in the most magnificent place on earth....Yellowstone! It was cloudy and cool as we headed into the park. As we took our first trip up and over Sylvan Pass it was sleeting a little. But we didn't mind, because we were once again in paradise! Snow still lays at the roadside, making for some pretty scenery. As we came down around the lake, clouds shrouded the view but it was a beautiful drive none the less. We hung a right and went up to through Hayden. Cloudy, but always beautiful Hayden! We stopped and snapped a couple of pics and continued on. We were treated to our first Bison Jam as a lone Buff was walking down the center of the road. LOL, they are really good at this!

We continued on and oh, oh, what do we have here? Cars, lots of cars.....we pull over and jump out to see what all the commotion is about...it is a black bear! Yeah, first day in Yellowstone, first bear! Happy Day! He had crossed the road before we got there and was headed off across a field, but I managed to snap a decent pic before he got away!

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I am in heaven!! The skies are beginning to clear as we start the long climb up and over Dunraven. Greg is driving and I am scouring the hillsides for any sign of movement but don't see a thing. DANG! Oh well, we continue on into Mammoth and get out to stretch our legs and have lunch. I love the old buildings there. So pretty! Not too many elk there and the ones that were there were hiding in the sage. Not to worry, we'll be back there again!

We resume our journey, no luck with the mom and 4. Never did see them the whole time we were there. Guess our timing was wrong! Oh well, on we go....hmm, more cars up ahead....what have we here? Ahh, the big boys are out this afternoon...

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We continue on as it is getting late and we are headed to Island Park to meet my parents at the cabin that they have rented for the month. (They're retired and by my estimation are "living the dream"!!!) We got stopped in the road construction between Norris and Madison, but when you're stopped by the Gibbon, who cares that your 'stuck in traffic'?!?! It didn't bother us one bit! We just rolled down the windows and enjoyed the view and the sound of the rushing water. What a great place for a traffic jam!!

After a short delay, it was on to Madison, and then another right and out through the West entrance. Oddly, there are no buffalo out on the Madison on this afternoon. We reached the cabin about 7:00pm. I think my parents were glad to see us! We unloaded the car, which looked like we had been living in it (because we basically had for four days!) and then rewarded ourselves with a nice cold libation (well, actually a couple!), and then it was off to dinner. Ahhh, a fabulous first day!

[grizynp]

It is amazing how fast their antlers grow. Where did you get the shot of the Blackie, do you remember?

[luvdamtns]

We found the Blackie in a field off to the left of the road just after Hayden.