Yellowstone Safari (Day 35) September 26, 2019

We left our hotel before dawn to search for wildlife today. Temperature in the mid 30s - brrr. We drove off in the dark. Could not see anything. I got a glimpse of a bull elk as we turned onto the main road. I put Beth on bear watch.

I forgot to mention the altitude. The hotel is close to 7,500 feet. I felt it at night - like I could not get a good breath of air.

We stopped in  what seemed like a promising spot in the Hayden Valley. There were a few other cars stopped. We got out, turned off the lights (bundled up!) and listened.

We could not see them, but we heard the bugling of elk. We did not know we were by water, but could hear ducks or geese. The elk bugling was like something right out of Mutual of Omaha, “Wild Kingdom”. [Look it up in Wikipedia  - Peg]. A highlight.

We drove north and east from there to the Lamar Valley. There, a huge herd of Bison had to negotiate traffic to cross the road. Big time nature experience. We got pretty close. You could really hear them breathe and snort. Wild animals.

Easy slow driving through Yellowstone. Wide open terrain. Beautiful wilderness everywhere: meadows, rivers, valleys, snow covered peaks in the distance.

Stopped at a bubbling sulfur caldron

Satisfied with our, so far, successful venture, we stopped for breakfast at the Canyon Lodge. Not only do all the concessions in Yellowstone look the same, they look very similar to the concessions in Yosemite, run by the same company - Xanterra. They are only open for another ten days before closing for the winter on October 7. They have great exhibits in the visitor center

After Breakfast, we did a little hike along the south rim of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. We saw the upper and lower falls

Back to hotel for a little nap.

Dinner again at the Yellowstone Hotel Dining room. Elk Chops again. Hell yeah! And they were good.

Love,

bear and Beth