Trip Report June 19 thru July 1 - Days 10 & 11

[luvdamtns]

Day 10, back to the park, down to Old Faithful and up to Mammoth, then once more over Dunraven. No bears today. Lots of elk and buffalo. Went to a few of the springs and geysers. Had a good day stretching our legs and seeing the sights.

Day 11, up early and back to Ennis one last time for breakfast. This time Greg had the Country Skillet, which is what he had the first time we went there two years ago. But this time he ordered a cup of the sausage gravy to go with it. He pronounced it delicious as he ate the last bite. I don't even want to know what is going on in his arteries!! Mom and dad each had the chicken fried steak, and are still trying to figure out how they missed it on their trips before. I can assure you, they won't let that happen again!

We headed down to Rexburg, ID to go to Bear World. I enjoyed seeing the bears up close, but not as much as I thought I might. Seeing them in the wild is much better. I got some decent pics, especially of the babies, but I felt a little guilty...they do not hold the same fondness of memory for me as the bears of Yellowstone do.

The Dunraven Grizzly Mama and Two will forever be special to me. They were my first grizzlies, and it was more than I could hope for. I had hoped to see one grizzly, but didn't really expect to. To see three at one time, twice......that was more than I ever dreamed of!!

We explored Island Park and dreamed (schemed) of a way to win the lottery so that we could live there permanently! For those of you who live anywhere around Yellowstone, I am so envious of you. You live in the most beautiful place on earth and you are blessed!

Did the laundry and reloaded the car. This would be our last nite with mom and dad. We had a fabulous time with them and hope that we can do it all again in a couple of years! I am already saving up for that little visit to heaven!

[grizynp]

There is no experience like seeing bears in the wild. I use to stop by Bear Country U.S.A. when I did the family thing in the early 90's just to make sure the crew saw a bear but, it was nowhere near the experience of seeing them in the wild. Incidentally, outside of the initial family trip in 1966 when the black bears patrolled the roads looking for free handouts, my first bears were also at Dunraven. I saw a pair of booted grizzly siblings just south of Dunraven Pass....and was so excited, I could have wet my pants!

[luvdamtns]

That's about how I was too!

It was an amazing experience to see the Grizzly trio. Definitely my most memorable experience in Yellowstone. I will never forget it.

Can't wait to go back and do it all again!