Yellowstone

06/29/09
After a night in the NFS between Coty and the Yellowstone entrance (we had a mother moose and baby in the camp near us) we headed into Yellowstone for 3 nights in the Fishing Bridge RV campground. I must say that the parks in the National Forest Service (NFS) are much nicer than those in Yellowstone and a whole lot cheaper. You can have a fire and your neighbors are not so close. They have showers in Yellowstone but they are $3.25 per person. We used the shower in our RV for the first time and it worked great. Very European with a hand held shower head that can be left in the stand or removed to reach your feet and back. It is small but welcome after a day of hiking the dusty trails.
Our first full day included a trip on the lower loop also known as the geyser basin. We watched Old Faithful blow its top twice and walked the park and lucked out when Beehive also blew, something that usually happens at night. After stops at Fountain pots and Artist Paint pots we had seen enough of the volcanic activities and headed for the Canyon. We hiked down a steep slope with 10 switchbacks to the top of the lower falls. One of two spectacular falls that cut the canyon, the lower falls is higher then Niagra and with recent rains running very fast.
After a daylong tour we headed back to camp with a quick stop to count the Elk and Buffalo herds in the valley near Yellowstone River. The weather was beautiful and I received a burn. The evenings have been cool with traces of snow in the woods. We have had great luck with our wildlife and hope to include Wolf and Bear before we leave the area.
My list of wild life include:
· Moose
· Mule Deer
· Antelope
· Elk
· Buffalo
· Northern Jay
· White Pelican
· Bald Eagle
· Big Horn Sheep
· One unidentified duck
And Tigger has had a wonderful time watching all the Chip monks and Red Squirrels running around the campsites. He is becoming a seasoned traveler with several favorite spots, like the dash, under the skirt of my seat, in the closet and the occasional cat nap under the quilt. OK he cat naps as often as he can.
Today we took a break from the traveling to stay in camp, get some house chores down and ride our bikes. We will drive to the Grand Tetons tomorrow.