Friday, 26 September
Things are warming up, the 30s this morning. Dolora and I were in no hurry this morning. After breakfast and coffee, we headed in the direction of Fishing Bridge. The wildlife included Trumpeter Swans and lots of ducks on the way out. On the way back as we were crossing Fishing Bridge we spotted a grizzly sow and cub on the gravel below. I parked in the pull off but was not quick enough with the spotting scope to get another look. Dolora did see them swim across the water and disappear into the woods.
On the way to the Grand Canyon we saw an elk, a couple of solitary bison and another grizzly sow with a cub feeding in Hayden Valley. This time Dolora and I had to use the spotting scope to see them. They were almost too far away to see with the naked eye. While watching the grizzly bears, we spotted a coyote much closer.
Dolora and I hiked the South Rim Trail at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. The Lower Falls are the bigger of the two falls in the canyon. The trail started at the Upper Falls and led to the Lower Falls. The views of the Lower Falls were much closer than from Artists Point, which is where the parking is to view the Lower Falls. As beautiful as the falls are, they must be really impressive in the spring with the snow melt. As we neared Artists Point I saw a pine marten off the side of the trail.
We decided to take another drive through Hayden Valley and saw a small herd of bison who seemed to be taking their afternoon siesta. Of the 30-40 animals, only 3 or 4 were standing, the rest were lying down, The another coyote, even closer than the last one. But no bears.
Dolora and I toured the Canyon Visitors Center and watched a movie before checking in. We are staying at Canyon Lodge. Dinner at the Lookout Cafe was good – orange chicken with fried rice. Not worth a photo but tasty after the usual burgers at all the other cafes.
This is the last night of the trip. Tomorrow it is a couple hour drive to Bozeman for our flight home. I think it will be a while before we have any twenty degree mornings in Manassas. We counted five grizzly bears, countless bison, a bunch of elk, a couple of coyotes and birds. No black bears or moose. The geothermal features cannot be described. A wonderful week!