Roosevelt Arch

Arrived at the north entrance of Yellowstone next stop Miriam and Livingston

Day 4 - Swan Lake Hike

We spent our last full day visiting the Colter Bay Village. The GTNP has several areas or "villages". We have been staying at the Jackson Lake Area. The Colter Bay Village has tent and RV camping, so it attracts a lot of families with children.

Our plan was to drive to the campground; buy stuff to make lunch at the general store (bigger than McQuades); and then go on a park ranger led hike. We arrived in time to listen to a park ranger give a talk about elk antlers. She was wonderful. We bought provisions to make PB and cheese sandwiches and made two. Then explored the area a bit and ate our lunch by the Bay.

We joined the group waiting for the hike. About 25 people with about one-third children. Ranger Duffy showed up, introduced himself. He was an Army Ranger (with leg tats) and has been a park ranger for a year. Originally from Long Island, NY. He gave all the kids jobs ... One girl was the map reader, one boy held the compass and was to tell us what direction we were headed, another kid was the counter - she would count people on the hike,and make sure we didn't lose anybody. The last two boys were supposed to collect 26 pebbles, put them one pocket and count each time their left foot touched the ground, when you reach 70 move one pebble to an empty pocket.... Well you get the idea. I said he was an Army Ranger.

The children were all entranced by him. And we all had a wonderful 3 hour hike. Of course, I took many photos. Here are several...

 

 

 

 

That's just a sample. Tonight is our last night at Jackson Lake. Tomorrow we drive thru Yellowstone, maybe I'll take just a few photos, arrive at my sister Miriam's in Livingston, MT.

 

Wildlife Amplification

This morning we stopped by to listen to a park ranger talk and learned that the elk we saw yesterday were cow elk.

We then stopped by the info desk at the Colter Bay Visitor center and found 3 park rangers eager to identify the bird on the roof in the photo from yesterday. All 3 rangers ID'd the bird as a raven. 

Delia

Day 3 - Wildlife!

When in a National Park, sooner or later, you will see some wildlife.

Our first encounter was pretty mild ... While waiting for our hike to begin we watched a crow on top of the LSR roof next to a lightning rod...

 

Our nextencounter was more exciting. While driving back from the hike, we saw several cars stopped on the road, with cameras out... We stopped also....

 

 

Day 3 - Wildflowers

We are visiting during the height of the Rocky Mountain wildflower season. During our walk today, I took many photos of the flowers. Here are some of them...

 

 

Notice yours truly in the photo!

 

 

 

 

 

And here is something from the NPS to help us ...

 

 

Day 3 - A Park Ranger Led Hike in the LSR

We stopped by the LSR yesterday and decided that today, we would hike on one of the trails in the preserve. Many ranger-led activities have been cancelled this because of "sequestration". Fortunately, this was not one of them. We hiked to Phelps Lake, had a picnic lunch and hiked back. We crossed Lake Creek several times.

The Lake Creek feeds into the Snake River which feeds into the Columbia River which empties into the Pacific Ocean. It was explored by Lewis and Clark and by us ...

 

Our Park Ranger Larry....

 

There will be more posts today...

 

Day 3 - Sunrise on the Tetons

We are staying In a cabin that has a mountain view. When you wake up before 6am, you have the advantage of seeing the sunrise reflected on the mountains....