Dave was up early making coffee and out for a stroll above the camp, where we all went after our camp breakfast. We had a great night and an efficient morning routine. We are finding our "rig" to be just right for us! And, we are gradually tricking it out.
After our stroll up the ridge we re-positioned to
Mammoth campground and after a camp lunch went for a walk around
Mammoth Hot Springs (which were amazing in dazzling colour and wonderful pattern) and en route we saw the geothermal Boiling River, which was closed to hikers due to skeleton park staff and therefore minimal emergency response personel.
We then went for a little 40min drive to
Lamar Valley that turned into a 4hr safari! The travel time difference reminded Bob and Yolanda of their Fairyland 16K walk in Bryce Canyon, Utah, which took about 8hrs due to the splendour. On the drive, we saw beautiful sights and several wildlife firsts. We also saw some animals we have seen before, such as Black Bear, Sandhill Crane, Elk, Deer, and Antelope. The new birds were Mountain Bluebird, Ruddy Duck, and Kestrel. The highlights were free-roaming Bison (including romping calves), a trio of coyote dining on the last tidbits of a recent kill, and seeing a Grizzley sow with yearling cub! That was special! Due to the unexpected safari we arrived back at Gardiner and ate out at "
Raven Grill" instead of our planned campfire dinner. The delicious food, beautifully presented was an anniversary treat from the Reids, as April 30, 2017 is Yolanda & Bob's 23rd anniversary - Dave was Bob's Best Man. (Yolanda & Bob are reciprocating a treat dinner out for Dave & Johanne in a couple of days, as they were also married in 1994!)
After our stroll up the ridge we re-positioned to Mammoth campground and after a camp lunch went for a walk around Mammoth Hot Springs (which were amazing in dazzling colour and wonderful pattern) and en route we saw the geothermal Boiling River, which was closed to hikers due to skeleton park staff and therefore minimal emergency response personel.
We then went for a little 40min drive to Lamar Valley that turned into a 4hr safari! The travel time difference reminded Bob and Yolanda of their Fairyland 16K walk in Bryce Canyon, Utah, which took about 8hrs due to the splendour. On the drive, we saw beautiful sights and several wildlife firsts. We also saw some animals we have seen before, such as Black Bear, Sandhill Crane, Elk, Deer, and Antelope. The new birds were Mountain Bluebird, Ruddy Duck, and Kestrel. The highlights were free-roaming Bison (including romping calves), a trio of coyote dining on the last tidbits of a recent kill, and seeing a Grizzley sow with yearling cub! That was special! Due to the unexpected safari we arrived back at Gardiner and ate out at "Raven Grill" instead of our planned campfire dinner. The delicious food, beautifully presented was an anniversary treat from the Reids, as April 30, 2017 is Yolanda & Bob's 23rd anniversary - Dave was Bob's Best Man. (Yolanda & Bob are reciprocating a treat dinner out for Dave & Johanne in a couple of days, as they were also married in 1994!)
What an amazing safari! All in one day! How wonderful to be there with close friends to experience such wilderness and wildlife. My favourite photo from this day is the Bison with calf. The foreground is so lovely and provides such great contrast with the Bison's dark bulk. - - - Jan.
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