On the water
Mornings have been coolish and the sky a brilliant blue making it perfect boating weather, as long as we remember the sun screen. We have been out two mornings so far. The big horn sheep have not shown themselves yet and fishing has not been impressive, just two small bluegill between us. Looks like we might need to try different bait/lures and maybe get out a bit earlier. We’ll see.
Out on the trails
Canyon trail.
It is a short walk but
pretty great from a wildlife standpoint. First, we actually stopped in the middle of the dirt access road to watch this huge spider, tarantula I’m pretty sure, cross the road.
On the trail, we
check out great pictographs near the canyon entrance then boulder climb back the canyon to explore.
Moseying along in the rock shadows we spot a desert tortoise. It is one of 
only two or three of these threatened fellows we have ever seen in the wild. Very cool.
Fisherman’s Trail
I enjoy trails that are walk-out right from camp without having to drive anywhere. This trail departs from behind the boat maintenance area (kinda weird) and follows the lake shoreline to a lovely sandy cove. Along the way we pass two backwater ponds where ducks, coots and herons are hanging out. There are views of the marina and toward the end, out over the lake toward the dam. I’ll likely take this walk again.
It is in the mid-20s and first light glints off the heavy frost on everything. Distant mountain tops in all directions sport a new dusting of snow creating a perfect backdrop for fall colors. Off we go. We are in the park and at Rainbow point by 9AM. Parking is no problem, yeah. We have lots of clothes with us and the sun is toasty. We set out to explore.
Between the overlooks the bristlecone pine loop takes us past these hardy ancient pines that manage to survive in the cold, wind, scarce water and rocky ground above 9000 ft. Gnarly, 1000+ years old and amazing. Check out the namesake cones. We move on stopping at every pull out and taking dozens of pictures.
It is absolutely silent here. What a perfect place for lunch break. Our pace up is just perfect for admiring lots more hoodoos from differing angles…..Back at the car we log in at 4.89 miles total door to door for this walk and 1095ft elevation change. Well worth it to get the unique perspective of hoodoos from right among them.
We spot the distinctive white profiles of mountain goats mixed with bright red and yellow fall foliage on the cliffs high above the creek bed. At about 2.5 miles our path opens onto the foot of Avalanche Lake. Muted colors of the surrounding mountains and waterside foliage
reflect in the still lake waters. A Stellar’s Jay comes begging while we relax on the gravelly beach. It doesn’t look like it is going to brighten up and it’s getting to be prime hike time, the once peaceful beach is getting busy. We retrace our steps back to the truck. This was well worth the walk.
Yikes, it is cold, 37F and the sun isn’t high enough to warm this part of the valley. We huddle in the warm truck for a few then put on everything we brought, fleece, windbreakers, wool hats, and gloves then head to the trailhead.
Mountain goat pic. We get to a spectacular viewing spot and declare it the end of our climb. The trail is very busy now with both overtaking and oncoming traffic, not so much fun.
Kent gets one of the most captured big horn pictures, butts!
While we are gawking at it, a bear jam gathers. Not for the black bear, for a big grizzly bear swimming toward us across Lake Sherburne. She/he rises up out of the water as they come ashore then alternates snuffling about and trotting toward us. By then a ranger has arrived to wrangle the watchers and clear a path should the bear keep coming our way. It does, and he hustles all the cars and people out of the way. We watch out of our rearview mirror as she moves on toward the road. It is a fantastic grizzly sighting. Quite close and within scurry distance of the truck!
breakfast at the Inn. Mike and Tracy’s pictures reminded us how cool the old structure is and we feel the need to check it out. It’s a buffet with food a bit better than average but the cozy setting makes up for anything it lacks. We are back out in plenty of time for Old Faithful’s show. Even against a cloud filled sky it is spectacular. The weather holds off long enough to walk the entire upper basin boardwalk including catching a Daisy geyser eruption.
We make it back to the geyser hill just in time to see Old Faithful a second time. It looks more powerful from the view on the top boardwalk! It is misting and still in the 50’s. We check out the gift shop. I must have another Yellowstone medallion, a bison this time. Plans are to check out Grand Prismatic and the Norris Basin thermal area if the crowds aren’t awful. No such luck, traffic is spilling out of the parking lots as folks are vulturing for spots. We head home with a couple detours; The Firehole River Canyon Drive, it is spectacular, then a loop along the Madison River, lovely but no elk or bears on that section of the grassy banks today. The elk from this morning are still out along 20. It is definitely a favorite spot for them. We are back in camp sipping hot tea to warm up in the rainy and chilly weather. It’s a great chance to catch up on the blog and naps!
this time to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point above Jenny Lake. We start with a ferry ride then there is a lot of “up”, we sort of expected that with a destination like Inspiration Point! Willa is anxious to mountain climb – not just walk a trail- and to maybe get to the snow. Above Hidden Falls she gets at least part of that wish. The trail gets rocky and steep just perfect for her hands and feet climbing on up to the point. She is thrilled to meet the beggy trail chipmunks. She calls them “chicky” and is adamant that she be allowed to adopt one and take it home. I get in trouble for swatting at them as they try to climb into my backpack and steal food. They are very people habituated! Just as we get her to move no an unusually brazen pica scurries right by Willa’s feet in a hurry to stash his mouthful of grass. We climb a bit higher onto Cascade Canyon trail hoping to see more wildlife as the crowds thin out. No luck with that but it does take us to an alternative, shorter, less steep return route back to the lake. Here are fewer hikers so it makes for a perfect place to try out Willa’s rescue chain.
Check out the pic. Her stated purpose was so the test of us could help Daddy when he got tired carrying Hazel the whole time. More on its origin later. The return ferry trip is a welcome opportunity to sit down for a few and by the time we make it to the car everyone is about done for the day. Hazel was a great sport (Mike too) through all her time in the carrier. She even caught a bit of a nap.
We go for one traditional waffle =brown sugar butter and one Belgian= cookie butter, caramel and powdered sugar. So delicious. The sun breaks through and we head out to explore. Our goal is the Top of the World trail. We are still looking for snow to play in but we are still not quite high enough for this time of year. 
We have to be content to check out the glaciers above us. We stroll and take in the view then board the tram for the trip down. Its clear skies all the way down so views are better than ever. The grounds in the resort are grassy and a great place to play. Willa discovers a bungie trampoline. She is going to try it. I’d rate it as a somewhat tense but overall fun adventure.
Check out the pics and you be the judge. We grab some lunch, play a bit longer as Grampa and Nana relax in our Adirondack chairs then we head off with the kids while Mom and Dad try to squeeze in one more hike. Fun day for all.
Once back home she paints, makes Dad a birthday card, and gets a traditional brown tub bath. It is a full day for all of us too.
like neither of us have ever seen before. Check it out. It is an amazing view of a broad rolling valley brought to us by fault uplift, glaciers and the powerful Snake River. We continue to several suggested moose and bear viewing sights. They are not as productive but the drive is still lovely. Near home at antelope flats we see the local bison herd. It is a great morning.
in the Roosevelt Preserve. A doe and fawn tolerate our presence long enough for a good look and there is a report of a bear near the visitor center. We must have walked just feet from him on our way in off the trail. We check out the soundscape rooms. In one room, wildlife and wild setting images rotate on four screens accompanied by a sound track. My mind scrambles to match them. In the second space, only the sound track plays. I close my eyes and block out all but those sounds.
We stop in at Mormon Row, a preserved and partially restored 1880s settlement. We make rope, try on period clothes, and play some of the kids’ games. It is a fun stop. I even get the bug to maybe get involved in living history here or somewhere as we contemplate a more settled life in the coming few years.