Yellowstone Day 2

Grizzly Bear!

Our second excursion to Yellowstone started with a distinct break from the normal elk and bison sightings. We discovered a mother moose and her calf grazing and wading in a shallow marsh area, which set off a flurry of photos in the quiet chill of morning. It was a sign of good things to come throughout the day as we later sighted a distant grizzly bear and another black bear.

We stopped to eat sandwiches in front of a general store as we waited for a stagecoach to arrive. Norah and Justin watched with interest as ranch hands worked with a pair of very large draft horses a short distance away. Following lunch we relocated to the gathering area next to the corrals and waited for our ride, while Norah and Justin played with an old water pump and threw rocks. We boarded the coach and attempted in vain to snap some pictures as we were bounced and jostled by the trail cutting across open prairie surrounded by antelope and bison. The kids were a bit of a handful as they jockeyed for position and climbed from lap to lap, but we still somehow managed to avoid losing anyone out the side and saw some amazing sights.

The hot pools and geysers at Fire Hole River and the Grand Prismatic Spring (located at Midway Geyser Basin) and Biscuit Basin (home of the Sapphire Pool - Heather's favorite since she was a little girl) all displayed an incredible range of beautiful, vibrant rainbows created by algae. The mirror like surfaces contrasted sharply with the surrounding dark rock, while the geysers made bold statements as they erupted intermittently throughout our visit. Norah and Justin behaved noticeably better than many adults we witnessed who could not resist the urge to touch the boiling water despite numerous signs and warnings. Before we left they were allowed to touch and splash the surface of the frigid Yellowstone River, while water on the opposite side of the bank steamed angrily as it collided with nearly boiling water from the thermal features.

After a long and eventful day we climbed back into the van and traveled by moonlight back to the lodge.