Yellowstone

Just got back from 4 days in Yellowstone. It was beautiful and every part of it is so different. We had a wonderful time and did so much it would take a bit to long to tell about it. So we are just putting some of the pictures up.....hope you enjoy.

Right before we left for Yellowstone a moose showed up near the visitor center and Deeann got real close for some pictures.

This picture was taken just before Deeann interrupted his meal and he scared her off.

Elk have left the Elk Refuge, which is right out of my front door, but are plentiful in Yellowstone.

These elk were in the visitor area at Mammoth Hot Springs.

A bison road block.

Bison and calves.

This big grizzly caused quite a traffic jam. We watched him for about 30 minutes.

Lower Falls at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

On an up hill hike to Mystic Falls.

Mystic Falls, not too far from Old Faithful.
Here's one you probably have never seen - a picture of Old Faithful.

Hot pool near Old Faithful.

Lewis Falls.

Finally Getting To Hike

Well it took a while but finally the weather became good enough for us to hike. We hiked the first day at Laurence Rockefeller Preserve. Took our lunch and ate at Phelps Lake, sat by a meandering stream. The next day we hiked Taggart on a 4 mile one. There was still snow on the trails but it was manageable.

Snow packed trail
Taggart Lake

Jenny Lake

That day we saw a Moose that had just given birth to a calf. It is amazing how fast the Park Rangers can get to a place and control the crowds that gather. They are definitely the animals best friend. It got up to 70 that day and then back to the 30s at night. We have gone on two or three more hikes since then. They have a "shoot-out" on the Square every night. Watched that one night....really cute and loud. One night we went with other volunteers from the Visitor Center to the Bar-T-5-Ranch. You load up onto covered wagons and go to a chuck wagon dinner. The food was good and after dinner they have entertainment which was a lot of fun. It started raining but we were covered...the ride back was cold but at least we weren't wet. I thought weather in Texas changed fast....even faster here. A couple of days later just when I thought winter was over it started snowing again. Still in jeans and turtle necks...love it!!! One day we went to Spring Creek Resort. The views were beautiful of the Tetons and it was pretty fancy.

We took the back roads back to Jackson and stopped at Gros Ventre and saw the Slide. In 1925 a big part of the mountain slid down and formed a dam. Two years later it broke and wiped out the town of Kelly where six people were killed. The town was rebuilt...but the debris is still there. Really amazing. Yesterday we hiked Emma Matilda Lake near Colter Bay. It was a little more difficult than the others but well worth it. Most of our hikes are 4 to 5 miles which I thought was really good but I saw where there are some that are 18 miles. Maybe we can build up to that. We have been to the Silver Dollar Saloon to listen to bluegrass and other kinds of music....and people watching. Jackson has grown in size since Memorial Day...lots of tourist. Still having a wonderful time and enjoying every day.

Slide debris

Hopefully, last week of winter

Made it through the second week of work and then had a little time to play. Still no hiking yet as there is still snow on most of the trails. Hoping to hit the trail tomorrow, weather permitting. Last weekend was Old West Days in Jackson; big parade, music on the square, hotdogs and fun. Monday evening went to The Jackson Hootenanny with Dunhams and other visitor center staff. Lots of good ole down home fun. Went on a short two day trip to Idaho Falls Wednesday. Pretty scenery over Teton Pass and then back through the Snake River Canyon. Only a little flurry today, so looks like winter might be over.

Deeann at Elk Refuge

Eddie

Dunhams at the Hootenanny

Falls at Idaho Falls

Yellowstone bus at Old West Days parade