The summer of 2013 finds us on a road trip enjoying one of
the greatest natural wonders on earth. In mid June JR headed out early with our
motor home towing the Jeep a la canoe atop for some fly fishing time to meet up
with two buddies Hugh and John along several great rivers in Idaho and Montana.
A few weeks later our eldest son Jason, his wife Geni, their youngsters Gavin
and Ben along with myself and the wooden dory JR built drove to Yellowstone NP
in Wyoming to rendezvous with him.
Established in 1872 the vast two million acres of
Yellowstone National Park became the world’s first national park. It is indeed
a timeless wilderness to behold.
Panoramic vistas, numerous geyser basins, hot springs, fumaroles and mudpots, alpine forests of lodgepole pines, rugged mountains and grand waterfalls flank the park’s volcanic plateau, rewarding eye and spirit.
There are lush green valleys and meadows of vibrant wildflowers, vegetation, and abundant wildlife such as bison, elk, grizzly bear, mountain sheep, wolves and moose throughout the park. It is no wonder 3.1 million travelers from around the world are awe inspired as they visit each year.
There are lush green valleys and meadows of vibrant wildflowers, vegetation, and abundant wildlife such as bison, elk, grizzly bear, mountain sheep, wolves and moose throughout the park. It is no wonder 3.1 million travelers from around the world are awe inspired as they visit each year.
What a great family adventure for us having the opportunity
to share the beauty of our nation’s first national park.
Here are a few of the
highlights enjoyed together around Yellowstone. Celebrating July 4th
by watching Old Faithful geyser erupt four times was “awesome” in little grandson
Ben’s words.
Old Faithful Inn, an architectural landmark nearby, became a must do for a lovely buffet breakfast.
Hiking the park’s boardwalks to marvel at the amazing underground geothermal plumbing of geysers, mud pots and hot springs.
Being mesmerized by bison crossing
the road directly in front of the family van. Catching a glimpse of a grizzly
bear off in the far distance was cool too.
Spotting a huge bull elk grazing up close in a grassy meadow
A gust of wind snatched JR’s favorite fly fishing hat off into Grand
Prismatic Spring.
Seeing the grandkids working hard to earn Junior Ranger awards made everyone proud.
JR and Gavin sight an osprey nest upon a cliff at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone lower falls.
Launching both the canoe and wooden dory at Bridge Bay Marina for a family rowing adventure to a cove of Yellowstone Lake was exciting.
Another day JR sailed the dory on his own to round an island in the
middle of Yellowstone Lake for kicks.
Here are a few of the
highlights enjoyed together around Yellowstone. Celebrating July 4th
by watching Old Faithful geyser erupt four times was “awesome” in little grandson
Ben’s words.
Hiking the park’s boardwalks to marvel at the amazing underground geothermal plumbing of geysers, mud pots and hot springs.
Sharing lunch on the porch at the 1903 Theodore Roosevelt Lodge.
Seeing the grandkids working hard to earn Junior Ranger awards made everyone proud.
JR and Gavin sight an osprey nest upon a cliff at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone lower falls.
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| "Okay I'll take the kids and you take the ladies JR" |
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| Ben, Gavin, and Jason on Yellowstone Lake |
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| Family lunch break and Kodak Moment |
Another day JR sailed the dory on his own to round an island in the
middle of Yellowstone Lake for kicks.
The major attractions, scenic beauty, wildlife, and visitor centers along the park roads sample only a
fraction of Yellowstone. The rest of the park is backcountry, traversed by some 1,000 miles of trails, with endless possibilities.
There are lots of opportunities to view bison on the move.
Yellowstone is definitely a photographers paradise for capturing color in the various geyser basins
