Day 14

Fire going first thing in the morning to take the chill out of us, we settled down to some pancakes, OJ and coffee for a hearty breakfast.  The excitement of the days adventure traveling through the Park with Yellowstone Alpen Tours made the clock slow down as we all were anticipating our 9AM pick-up.

Brenda arrived promptly at 9 and quickly set out the day’s agenda.  We have been truly blessed with all of the people that we have met and have had to depend on.  Brenda is certainly included in this category.  We quickly learned that we were in the presence of an extremely knowledgeable, passionate and FUN tour guide.  We could not have picked a better person to share Yellowstone with!  

We started the trip by heading to Norris Geyser Basin, home of Steamboat Geyser.  Despite Amy’s good feeling that we would witness the Steamboat blow, it didn’t happen.  Last time it erupted was in 2003! Then we went by Virginia Cascade and saw a beautiful 80ft. waterfall. Then we headed towards Hayden Valley where we saw a huge heard of bison and some elk off in the distance. 

Throughout the entire trip we were all on the lookout for wildlife. By the days end we would record: elk, bison, mule deer, and MOOSE!  Unfortunately, despite everyone’s best effort we never found a bear.  

It was time to go see the Yellowstone Grand Canyon. On our way we saw two magnificent bull elk. They were still in velvet and antlers were massive!  Brenda informed us that those two have been in the park for about 6-years.  Grand Canyon was amazing!  It is hard to believe that I have waited 37 years to see it!  We had an amazing picnic along the Yellowstone River and then drove through Dunraven Pass then over Mount Washburn.  This was a spectacular drive and we spend lots of time glassing the valleys and hills for bear.  We didn’t find any bear but we did spot a moose.  Which believe it or not are more rare than bears! By the time we returned back to camp it was 3:30ish.  Thanks Brenda for a great day!

Back at camp, Dawson and I headed to the Gibbon River to try our luck at the trout again.  We had our first hook-up on what I believed to be a really nice size trout.  He (or she) was about 10 feet from the net when I lost him L!  I am learning and the barbless hooks make it really hard to land these suckers!  All that said, I have to say it was an amazing moment, and that Dawson and I shared it made it even better!

Empty handed but full of life we returned to camp.  Once the fire was roaring, we finished up the London Broil and the kids had grilled cheese.  A few Smores for desert and we were all ready for bed. 

Tomorrow we head to the Grizzly Bear and Wolf Discovery Center – Dawson and Emma are going to feed the bears!