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<\/a><\/p>\nWe began our day with the intention of getting up early enough to hopefully see wolves in the valley. \u00a0Our first sight upon the road is…buffalo balls. \u00a0This guy just meandered down the road, like he owned it. \u00a0Which, if he wanted to, he could have done some damage to any of the cars here, so he had the right of way, whichever way he wanted. \u00a0We followed him down until we got close to the Mud Volcano area where he veered off to have a spa day.<\/p>\n
Thankfully we hit this spot at the exact right time. \u00a0We saw a crowd gathering and knew it meant wildlife. \u00a0We were in the perfect spot to see the wolf pack go by. \u00a0A pair split off to head over the ridge while two more came towards where the cars were parked.<\/p>\n Wolves are big. \u00a0I can’t even describe how awesome – in the true sense of the word – this is to see.<\/p>\n The white wolf’s partner, following behind. \u00a0They were intent on getting out of sight and knew where to cross the road. \u00a0Apparently this is a frequent sight in the park. \u00a0A park ranger had stopped traffic at a certain point and the wolves headed right for it to cross and head off to wherever they were going.<\/p>\n Definitely cooler than buffalo balls.<\/p>\n This morning’s plan to see the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. \u00a0By no means as big as the actual Grand Canyon, or as stunning, but apparently one of the must-see things of the park. \u00a0I’m definitely worn out right now. \u00a0Not enough coffee in the world to make me perk up after seeing the wolves. \u00a0I think, with the combination of cold, the elevation stress, and the lack of sleep due to national park campground crowding, I’m finally succumbing to whatever had JA sick for a few days in Portland.<\/p>\n I present to you the Grand Canyon! …of Yellowstone. \u00a0A giant split in the ground with pretty colors.<\/p>\n Oh! \u00a0And waterfalls! \u00a0This is a pretty iconic waterfall in the park. \u00a0People were fighting for space to snap off a picture when the rainbow was supposed to appear. \u00a0This is the Lower Falls and you have to drive around to the other side to get close to it.<\/p>\n Pff, I’ve seen rainbows. \u00a0I don’t need another waterfall-rainbow picture.<\/p>\n Actually, the Canyon is really pretty. \u00a0A whole new set of colors thrown in the park. \u00a0And all of this is very, very fragile – even the formations aren’t as solid as they appear.<\/p>\n A really cool fire-leftover.<\/p>\n One of favorite pictures from the trip.<\/p>\n Waiting in the parking lot was this…<\/p>\n A fancy old tour bus or something. \u00a0We, of course, had to stop and stare.<\/p>\n There are two good sized waterfalls in the canyon. \u00a0The Upper and Lower Falls. \u00a0The Upper Falls is the smaller of the two and therefore the less popular.<\/p>\n Which means you can get really close to it.<\/p>\n I swear these colors are real. \u00a0I don’t have any photoshop skills.<\/p>\n After enjoying the Upper Falls, we head over to the Lower Falls parking lot. \u00a0This is the one we saw at a distance earlier. \u00a0 The parking is pretty packed and apparently you hike down to a viewpoint.<\/p>\n Switchbacks. \u00a0So a ‘quick’ hike down…and then you have to make your way back up.<\/p>\n The beginning of the Lower Falls.<\/p>\n A ‘platform’ has been set up to get close to the Falls.<\/p>\n I’d say the view is pretty damn good.<\/p>\n Another area you can view the Falls from.<\/p>\n The edge.<\/p>\n Love the green here. \u00a0We had to wait for a position on the fence to see it this close up – the sheer force of water is pretty stunning. \u00a0I lingered here longer than other tourists were happy about…but I wasn’t looking forward to the hike back up. \u00a0I’m definitely sick.<\/p>\n More driving. \u00a0Today is mostly driving. \u00a0We’re doing the upper loop in the park with Mammoth Springs as the main focus. \u00a0This part of the park is wide open range and feels like a western movie setting. \u00a0And for someone who has lived in western movie settings most of her life, that’s saying a lot.<\/p>\n I wish we would have known more…I would love to stay in this part of the park next time, at the Roosevelt Lodge maybe. \u00a0They have horse pens and do horseback rides\/stagecoach camping out in the wilderness which just sounds heavenly. \u00a0When not sick.<\/p>\n …maybe I should get a guide job out here…<\/p>\n We stopped briefly near the Roosevelt Lodge\/Tower Falls visitor center to eat sandwiches out of the cooler and take a break. \u00a0I bought a pair of moose earrings here and almost bought some pajamas with the butt-flap opening…maybe I’ll buy them online later. \u00a0We didn’t bother to go see Tower Falls – just not enough time to see everything in this park on this trip. \u00a0It’s too big. \u00a0And there’s too much driving.<\/p>\n Volcanic cliff formations near the falls.<\/p>\n Tower Falls is down there somewhere. \u00a0It’s just a pretty landscape as far as I’m concerned.<\/p>\n Moss, for KL.<\/p>\n \n Back to Yellowstone Day 1 Part 3<\/a>\u00a0::: On to Yellowstone Day 2 Part 2<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" August 11, 2016 We began our day with the intention of getting up early enough to hopefully see wolves in the valley. \u00a0Our first sight upon the road is…buffalo balls. \u00a0This guy just meandered down the road, like he owned it. \u00a0Which, if he wanted to, he could have done some damage to any of the cars here, so he had the right of way, whichever way he wanted. \u00a0We followed him down until we got close to the Mud…<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n