Thursday, January 23, 2014

West Yellowstone–Yellowstone Trip

When I was coming up to my 12th birthday Mom and Dad brought me to snowmobile in Yellowstone.  It was a tremendous adventure.  What a treat this year when Mom and Dad brought me and my family to a snow coach tour 30 years later!  West Yellowstone was a daunting destination with our weather being what it’s been.  We prayed for good weather and we sure got it!  Clear roads all the way.  Our first stop in West Yellowstone was the Three Bear Lodge.  Wonderful food!  Mom is a huge buffalo fan so she was horrified  that I chose buffalo tips for my mealDSC02996.  My wife chose rainbow troutDSC02999while my son chose a more traditional chicken sandwichDSC03000.  The lobby had what some might call a tourist attraction…I don’t care, it made for a cute picture for GabbyDSC03002.  We went to bed early knowing it would be an early one.  Boarding the snow coach was pretty excitingDSC03003.  We had an excellent guide named Doug who is a veteran ranger and snow coach driver…he had so much information and since this was a private tour with only us he was so gracious to stop wherever we could to see things.  Early on we saw trumpeter swan who graced the riverDSC03005.  I found it amazing how they were almost always in pairs…bonded for life.  Next a huge bald eagle nest…Doug said they don’t clean the nest…they just increasingly expand it thus how they end up so bigDSC03006.  I’ve heard some aren’t interested in the swans…sorry, I amDSC03007.  Their sheer size is amazing…how can such a large creature be so gracefulDSC03008?  There were signs of other creatures not so graceful…what killed this elk I wonderDSC03009?  We were excited to see our first bisonDSC03010.  They are comfortable to 20 below zero…wish I had that ability!  Even the swans in the river seemed oblivious to the coldDSC03011.  Even without the animals the view is simply to die forDSC03012.  The lighting went from partial cloud cover tot perfectly clear…either way it was awesomeDSC03013.  It was strange to experience the cold and yet the water in the river didn’t freezeDSC03014…plenty of warm water from the geysers keeps the water above freezing.  Our guide pointed out this frosted tree standing alone in the sunlight…awesomeDSC03015!  The bison were as unperturbed by the cold as the treesDSC03016.  Our first rest stop finally came and still the beauty of the surrounding forest grabbed meDSC03017.  Our snow coach was a modified Suburban…wheels replaced with…well, this:  DSC03018.  Thus ends the first part of the Yellowstone series…more to come!

12 comments:

  1. I love your photos, Joe! Gorgeous nature captures and great looking food, too!

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  2. Awesome photos Joe. The food all looks delicious as I am sure it was!

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  3. I've been loving your Yellowstone photos on Facebook. I really want to be there. By the way, is that a new blog backdrop? If so, I really like it.

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    1. I'm so glad you like it Keith! The backdrop is one of the defaults not sure where it is.

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  4. Used to go out in the evening, touring Yellowstone, the difference is amazing. The winter would be the same. Few tourists and great sights.

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    1. I think it would be amazing in the summer under a full moon!

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  5. The weather forecast says iy's going to be a driver and warmer spring this year..
    Why husband and wifes often have stikingly similar plssone littes brought them together .
    Gabby are enjoy your treats is that I can seeing you are so pretty girl!
    Have a nice day Joe!
    Michiko

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  6. What an amazing place Joe. Gorgeous photos.

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    1. Thank you Lisa, I knew you'd appreciate it. Places like this are priceless.

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