Day 11: June 17, 2013

We got up this morning with the intention of driving o see Old Faithful and hiking through Geyser Basin...which we eventually did. But first, right after turning out of our RV park onto the main road there was a massive traffic jam. People were jumping out of their cars and leaving them in the street as they grabbed their cameras and ran to the side of the road! So, we did the same only we parked off to the side of the road. There in a grassy area to the side of the road was a big grizzly bear. He was strolling along and enjoying his breakfast while we snapped away with our camera not 40 yards from him. He was totally disinterested in us but were we ever excited about seeing him! Not one of us in the mob had thought to grab our bear spray!!

After a few more stops and photo ops we made it to Geyser Basin and watched Old Faithful erupt before hiking through the park and looking at other thermal ponds and geysers. We saw what, in our opinion, was a much prettier geyser called Riverside. It is located alongside the Firehole River and it erupts for about 20 minutes at a time, spewing its steam and water out into the river. There is a beautiful thermal pond called Morning Glory that is worth the hike to the farthest point on the loop! Gorgeous!!

Old Faithful

Riverside

Riverside in full eruption

Morning Glory

Morning Glory

After hiking back to the entrance we had a delicious lunch (seriously...De.Lish.Us!), did a little souvenir shopping and headed back to the RV. Guess what...major traffic jam at the entrance to our RV park! At least 5 park rangers and 50 to 75 people out with their cameras snapping pictures of the grizzly bear! Same from this morning or another one??? We don't know, but we have been so impressed with the wildlife and the natural beauty of Wyoming! We finished our day relaxing and reveling in the beauty of Yellowstone National Park.

My travel buddies: Ronnie and Beau

Tomorrow we leave here and head a couple of hours away to the Grand Tetons. We hear it is even more beautiful...as if that is possible!