Where the Wild Things Are

Some of the most fun we had in Yellowstone was driving around and scouting for wildlife. We kept our eyes glued to the meadows, hillsides, roadways, and forests. The animals roam freely throughout the park. We were never sure of where or when we would spot something amazing. Here are some of the animals that were gracious enough to show themselves.


Bison (American Buffalo) (This large bull is one of at least a thousand-strong herd. He was such a gentleman to allow us to capture such a great image of him.)


Black Bear


Ground Squirrels (This photo was taken outside of Yellowstone. Feeding the animals in the park is strictly prohibited. A local resident had rescued a family of ground squirrels and allowed Aidan to share in their feeding.)


Grizzly Cub


Coyote


Cinnamon Brown Bear


Bull Elk


Pronghorn


Cow Moose


Bald Eagle and Eaglet

Mud Pots, Hot Springs, and Geysers, Oh My!

We left Arizona and traveled through the beautiful state of Utah. High snow-capped mountains surrounded us on all sides. I was able to snap this shot of the Teton Mountains from the highway.



When we arrived at the Red Rock RV Park and Campground in Island Park, Idaho, we were greeted by a sea of wildflowers in the shadows of mountains with hints of snow left on their peaks. This campground was such a pleasant retreat from the many stays at campgrounds too close to highways, railroad tracks, and other campers. The sights were wide with large yards and fire pits. The wifi was sufficiently strong and the laundry facilities were very clean.




In addition to the human and canine residents of Red Rock RV Park, we were surprised by the presence of these adorable Idaho Ground Squirrels who made their home in a burrow under one of our neighbors' fire pits.



Our first day in Yellowstone included a visit to the thermal features that make the park so famous. As we approached we saw many spots where steam rose like a specter to envelope the land. It was eerily incredible to realize that a mere 5 miles beneath my feet magma flows throughout the ancient volcanic caldera.





We stopped at Geyser Land to see boiling mud pots, hissing thermal vents, prismatic hot pools, and blowing geysers. Each feature was so interesting and different from the next. One of the most photographed mud pots is called Fountain Paint Pot. It is a thick white mud which produces a rapid bubbling. It sounds like a witch's brew.





There was another type of mud pot, but this one was more like a thick sloshy milk shake. It behaved much like a water geyser, but did not spew as high.





One of the more beautiful features we saw was a deep crystal blue pool of steaming hot water. Looking into the pool, it became evident just how deep it was. It had one layer of rock upon another layer and all the while getting darker blue in color. Surrounding the pool were brilliant orange bacterial mats that are home to thermophilic bacteria. They are the only creatures able to thrive in this particular harsh environment.



Another thermal pool called Grand Prismatic Spring, which is part of the Midway Geyser Basin, was impressive because of the sheer size and volume of water it dumps into the Fire Hole River. A whopping 6 million gallons of super-heated water spills into the river daily causing a 3 degree rise in overall water temperature. It, too, supports the growth of large orange bacterial mats along the edge of the pond and each run-off stream.





There are hundreds of additional thermal features, but time was limited and Old Faithful faithfully awaited our visit. "Old Mavel," as Aidan mistakenly called it, is the most visited sight in Yellowstone. Once again, it did not disappoint. Old Faithful is the most frequent and predictable geyser in the park. It erupts approximately every 50 minutes (give or take a few). There are benches surrounding the geyser and a famous inn bearing its name. The Old Faithful Inn is a beautiful log structure built in 1910s and 1920s and rustically appointed with rough-hewn log columns and rails, dark wood furniture and lodge style decor. Each rail and timber used in the construction of the inn was sought for its particular shape or size to fit in a predetermined place.



We watched Old Faithful erupt twice. It was a magnificent display of geothermal power. The steam that continually swirls out of the geyser hole ebbs and flows and continues to slowly build until short bursts of water begin to leap out of the ground, jumping higher and higher with loud blasts of steam and foul-smelling sulphuric spray until it reaches a dizzying height of 130 to 180 feet and lasting from 1-1/2 to 5 minutes. It was certainly an experience none of us will ever forget!









It was humbling and a little frightening to realize that the entire day that we spent in Yellowstone was spent inside of the third largest volcanic caldera in the world. The Yellowstone volcano is still active and that scientists are more and more convinced of an impending eruption, although as to the extent of the eruption they are completely unsure. However, the geothermal splendor Yellowstone presents is a must for all to see.

Zion Canyon

Today was busy day. We visited Bryce Canyon in the morning, but spent the evening in Zion Canyon. Zion Canyon is special because you do not stand at the rim and look at the beauty from above, you drive into the canyon and are able to experience each and every layer of rock up close and personal. The approach to the canyon entrance is, perhaps, the most impressive of sights. The rocks are beautiful, deep red, and textured and layered as if painted in the brush strokes of a master artist. There seems to be no particular pattern to the rocks, each layer has a personality unique to the layer above or below.









The blazing sandstone walls grew higher around us as we descended several thousand feet into the belly of the canyon.





Along the rocky crags we came upon an unexpected resident. A small group of big horn sheep were grazing on the brush growing in the crevices. The dominant male of the family took a moment to pose for this picture. Isn't he handsome.



Oh yes, and isn't this young male handsome, too?



We passed through a 1.2 mile long tunnel that was blasted from the center outward in the 1930s. It was America's longest tunnel for many years. The temperature quickly cooled and shade overtook most of the area we walked. The soil was strikingly red.



Upon closer examination we found it to be a powdery clay. The abundance of red clay pottery in this part of the country is no longer a mystery.



We took the shuttle bus from the visitor's center and intended to get off at the next stop, but our bus driver was such a wealth of information that we decided to stay on and get the full benefit of her knowledge. The views were incredible. The White Throne shone like gold in the waning sunlight.



The last stop on the shuttle tour was at the Riverside Walk along the Virgin River. It was an easy, paved walk that was so serene and lovely with lush green trees, pink quartz sand, whispering breezes, and meandering river water. As the darkness began to blanket the deep valley, we embarked on our trip back up, up, up to the rim. Despite the unimaginable size and indescribable beauty we have seen up to this point, I have to say that Zion Canyon has been the highlight for me. I placed my hands on the rocks and felt a connection to the ancientness of that place. The creativity with which the landscape here was formed, reinforces my belief that a higher power was the creator of this place. Mother Nature could not have done such a remarkable job on her own.

Bryce Canyon

A few dozen miles from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon lies a lesser known, but no less spectacular, canyon called Bryce Canyon. It is a gaping bowl filled to the brim with grottos and hoodoos carved by wind and water over millions of years.



Harder light-colored capstone prevents the arches from collapsing, but windows have been carved through the rock to create a haunting silhouette reminiscent of ancient temples.





In addition to the temple-like structures, there are strangely shaped spires that rise from the floor of the canyon standing like sentries guarding the secrets within its walls.





The wind whips across the rim of the canyon, at times strong enough to make one question the wisdom of hiking there. But the views are so spectacular that one would be remiss to not take advantage of them.

North Rim

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is approximately 1000 feet higher in elevation that the South Rim. The view is very different. Somewhat more stark. More obscured. Less visited. The North Rim Lodge was built in 1928 and is still in operation today. The rustic decor is very fitting for the scenery outside of the enormous windows overlooking the canyon. The lodge patio (or amphitheatre) is lined with benches, tables, and other seating for the pleasure of sitting in peaceful solitude or with loved ones to absorb the endlessness of the vista. As in South Rim, mule rides are available at North Rim for those who are trusting of the reputedly sure-footed creatures. A bronze statue of Brighty of the Grand Canyon, the pack mule of literary fame, is located in the viewing room of the lodge. Aidan enjoyed giving him a big hug.