I reserved a tent sent at the Canyon campground. There are a few campgrounds you can reserve sites at and the others are first come/first serve. If you aren't there in the morning, you won't get a spot. I knew I wouldn't get this far north until afternoon so I am staying here.
Here's a brief recap of the last 24 hours:
Last night I went to the moose spotting area near camp. There were about 40 people standing out there waiting for a moose to appear. There were an additional 4 people fly fishing in the river were the moose had been the night before. I really don't think the moose were going to saunter out of the thicket to an audience this large. I moved down river a bit and waited it out. It took a while for everyone to leave, but when they did I was rewarded with a bull moose stepping out into the open and into the river. he was quite a ways away, but I tried to get some pictures. They are still on the camera so you won't get any tonight.
After the moose event I headed back to camp. Along the way, about a dozen pronghorn decided they wanted to cross the road so I stopped to let them through. During all of this I noticed the beautiful Tetons sunset and snapped a shot.I took down camp and got myself and the Jeep ready to go by about 8:30 this morning. On my way to Yellowstone I stopped to get a cup of coffee. I saw a guy put 8 packs of sugar in his cup before he put a lid on it. I don't know, but I'm not thinking coffee is the right drink for this guy.
Once back in Yellowstone I could smell that there had been another fire in the park. I later saw fire crew trucks from Helena and a haze over Yellowstone Lake. I stopped at the Fishing Bridge RV grounds again and did a load of laundry and took a hot shower. Wow, showers are great.
It was wildlife day in Yellowstone today. In the south part of the park I saw elk, on the way to Canyon I saw hundreds of bison, and up near Tower I saw three black bears. Most of the wildlife pictures I took today were with the camera I haven't downloaded yet. The picture at left is what happens when wildlife are right next to the road. There was a backup about a half mile long here as a massive herd of bison moved across the road. I think I have some good pictures of this herd and their young. The moose and bear pictures I have will get downloaded in the next couple of days. If there are any decent shots I'll put one in a blog.I finally got to Mammoth Hot Springs at about 6:30. It was much more than I expected. I could spend a whole day in that area. As I was about an hour from camp I headed back for dinner (at the Canyon Cafeteria) and to update this. I plan to head back to camp after this and maybe have a fire this evening.
The Canyon camp site is the one I have been waiting for. It's perfect. The tent sites are not on top of each other and all of the sites are full of pine trees. It is hand-down the best site I have been at so far. The grounds and bathrooms are well maintained. My camp site is about a mile in from the offices. I am as far away as you can get. Right on the edge of the wilderness. Right next to were the bears live. I'd make a hell of a meal for a few bears. I'm locking the tent tonight.
I hope to break camp fairly early tomorrow and head to Mammoth again. I'll do as much as I can there and then start figuring out a camp site plan for Thursday night. Finding a place and getting set up takes a couple hours. I am hoping to start heading into Montana and towards Glacier. We'll see how far I get. Mammoth looks pretty cool.
Song of the Day:
- Van Halen - Top Jimmy
That one's for you Alex. I miss you dude.
Yes, Ethan, I miss you too. Your song day will come soon.
Thoughts/Lessons from the road:
- Flip Flops - a great idea for public showers
- We are not allowed anything in the tent or outdoors that may have an odor; food, cosmetics, drinks, garbage and so on. It must be in the vehicle. If the rangers see it, they will take it. So why do they have scented soap in the campground rest room? Won't that make me smell bear pretty?
- A bison can run 35 mph. Many of the park roads are 25 mph or 35 mph. Shouldn't they be at least 36 mph speed limits?
- Geysers and hot springs are more visible and in the cooler evening or morning hours as the steam is much more prominent then.
- Thus far all of the votes have been for no shaving.
- Damn, Glacier is a long way from home...........
I have to run. I'll get back on here when I can. I have no idea what the next couple days has for me for lodging or amenities. I owe a bunch of you emails and messages. I hope for a rainy day where I have power and internet to get caught up with all of you.
Tom
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