Trip Report
Yellowstone is one of the most amazing places I've ever been. I knew it would be cool but it far excided my expectations. I found the thermal areas beautiful, amazing and occationally deeply moving. They are by far the closest I have ever been to a truely alien world. I took a ton of photos, hopefully, I'll have some up soon for others to see. I don't think any discription I provide would do them justice. But if you ever have a chance to see them yourself do it.
It took us two days to drive from Calgary to Yellowstone. James drives a pretty fancy truck so it was a pretty comfy trip. The park its self is huge. It took us 2 hours to drive from one end to the other. We camped at one of the southern camp grounds (Grant). Our camp site was nice. We were close to a comfort station. James had borrowed a small trailer to take down with us. Andy, Kate and I shared the trailer (slept 3), while James stayed in a tent.
As well as the thermal areas, Yellowstone is a significant habitate for a number of animals. We got the chance to see some Bison right up close. Although you are required to stay well back from the animals (not that eveyone does) there is not many options when they walk right up to your car. We also saw elk and mule deer by the road and near the camp buildings. And once when we were gathering fire wood we got a closer look at a grizzly bear then I was really looking for (about 100 ft and heading our way). We high tailed it out of there pretty quick.
Yellowstone runs a junior ranger program which encourages the kids to take a real interest in the park. It's officially for kids 5-9 but I got a copy for Kate and she really got into doing the workbook. She had real problems with one part though. She had to sit though a ranger talk. The first one we went to was a talk on forest fires. She had no interest. She paid no attention. But was pretty upset when Andy and I wouldn't let her get her book signed. She did a bit better the next day. I'm not convinced she paid much attention, but she did a better job of pretending to pay attention. I was proud when she was finished. The interpretive rangers make a big fuss over the kids who finish it. She got a crest from the park, which I sewed on her hat.
It took us two days to drive from Calgary to Yellowstone. James drives a pretty fancy truck so it was a pretty comfy trip. The park its self is huge. It took us 2 hours to drive from one end to the other. We camped at one of the southern camp grounds (Grant). Our camp site was nice. We were close to a comfort station. James had borrowed a small trailer to take down with us. Andy, Kate and I shared the trailer (slept 3), while James stayed in a tent.
As well as the thermal areas, Yellowstone is a significant habitate for a number of animals. We got the chance to see some Bison right up close. Although you are required to stay well back from the animals (not that eveyone does) there is not many options when they walk right up to your car. We also saw elk and mule deer by the road and near the camp buildings. And once when we were gathering fire wood we got a closer look at a grizzly bear then I was really looking for (about 100 ft and heading our way). We high tailed it out of there pretty quick.
Yellowstone runs a junior ranger program which encourages the kids to take a real interest in the park. It's officially for kids 5-9 but I got a copy for Kate and she really got into doing the workbook. She had real problems with one part though. She had to sit though a ranger talk. The first one we went to was a talk on forest fires. She had no interest. She paid no attention. But was pretty upset when Andy and I wouldn't let her get her book signed. She did a bit better the next day. I'm not convinced she paid much attention, but she did a better job of pretending to pay attention. I was proud when she was finished. The interpretive rangers make a big fuss over the kids who finish it. She got a crest from the park, which I sewed on her hat.