Day 10 Grand Teton WY

The day started out just as magnificent as the one before it! We left the hotel around 9am, it was 42 degrees, a heatwave! If warmed up very fast, which is always nice! We decided to go back into the part and take one more ride through, and exit at the south end.  Come around the corner and this is the beautiful site we see. A momma elk and her baby feeding by the side of the road.  The elk are rutting now, will mate and the babies will be born in May. So this little one is about 4 months old.

This coyote was also out for a little breakfast.

A view of the geyser field.

We rode through Grand Teton National Park. The mountain chain is of course, the Tetons and they were spectacular.  The highest peak is over 13,000ft and there were people hiking. This is along the lake.

Mt Moran, one of the highest in the chain.

This is a Catholic church in the park, Our Lady of the Mountains.  This picture doesn't do it justice, it is very beautiful. Take note of the circle in the middle and the object to the right of it, there are close ups coming.

This cross was handcarved, it is to the right of the stained glass.

This plack was in the vestibule.

My picture of the stained glass from the inside just wouldn't turn out so I took this picture from outside, through the window. That's the Sacred Heart. Mass is every Saturday and Sunday at 5pm

This is a panoramic shot of the Grand Tetons. I was trying to put a video of some cool stuff at yellowstone here below, it didn't work so well so just ignore it.  At the south end of the Tetons, we found ourselves in the upscale town of Jackson Hole, WY. We were very lucky and found a sports bar that had the Bills game on a big giant screen.  We had a blast. Our day ended in Salt Lake City. We have traveled now 10 days and 2883 miles. Tomorrow will find us heading further south into Utah and the heat to Bryce Canyon and Zion. Congratulations to the Bills, they rocked today!  Our love to all, Linda

Day9 Yellowstone

Goodmorning!  We started out Saturday morning by heading back into Yellowstone via the west entrance. It was very cold, around 30.  Along the banks of the Yellowstone river, this is what was there. This male elk was attending to his harem of females.  It is rutting season for Elk and while the gals leisurely stroll through the grasses and munch, he stands guard against male intruders!

Nice rack, huh? Those babies have only been growing since the spring.

OK, it's probably enough of the Buffalo pictures, right?  I couldn't resist, slap the bull sounded like a fun game.

Everything's fun and games until someone loses an eye

This big guy was rolling in the dirt and grunting

Some geysers throughout the park

The water inside these geysers is around boiling, 199 degrees.

This one is a bit hard to see, but it's a pool and the colors were fantastic.

The water actually boils

These next four pictures are Old Faithful.  She went off twice while we were there, shoosting water and steam into the air.  Old Faithful is actually not the biggest, but it's so famous because it's the most predictable, right down to within 10 minutes either way, ever 1 1/2hrs to 2 hrs.

The Castle Geyser, it doens't blow much anymore

Patrick said not to miss the Lodge at Old Faithful, it was worth walking through, Disney patterned the Wilderness Lodge after this place almost to a tee.

Old Faithful just about done

I really felt like I was on Mars sometimes.  These pools were just beautiful

This pool is the deepest, at 53 ft.  The colors were absolutely amazing

Late afternoon brought us to this guy guarding his harem.  Different group from this morning.

This picture could have won a prize but it's blury.

We came upon this coyote about the same time late afternoon.  He was out looking for a bite to eat.

Well, all in all, Yellowstone is a must see at least once in your lifetime. I really dig the wildlife no matter where we go.  I think it's beyond awesome that these wild things are walking around. The park is home to about 100 wolves, they were introduced in 1995. They are a favorite of visitors but loathed by the local ranchers and shot when they venture outside the park bounds. I was told that the moose is the most least likely to be seen but that some would argue that it's the mountain lion.  It is a bright, sunny and cold morning here, we are loading up and heading south into Utah. So for now, it's happy trails to us and GO BILLS!!!

Day 7 and 8, Little Big horn and Yellowstone

Hi friends and family!  Day 7 and 8 are late I know, intenet service is sketchy at best.  This too will be a short version as it is now Saturday morning and Dave is really ready to go.  This is the Yellowstone River, it flows northerly, ending in the Missouri river. 

Yellowstone River

Riding into the park

Mammoth Springs inside Yellowstone

Elk in Yellowstone

Not sure what kind of bird this is, anyone know?

One of my favorite pictures!

The smaller Chip and Dale version

This is Dragons Mouth, it is very cool to see and hear, it gurgles!

Outside the building at Little Big Horn National Memorial

He's actually buried (or what was left of him) at West Point

This is the actual place of Custer's Last Stand, you can faintly see his marker in the middle