I can’t tell you how many times we have looked at each other and said, “What day is this?” I guess that’s a sign of a great vacation. We weren’t trying for a sunrise this morning but we did want to get out early enough to spot morning wildlife. So we were in the car by around 6am. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. But sunrise was at 5:43 and it was already bright and sunny out. The days here are so long! Sunset isn’t until 9:01 tonight and by 10pm it still won’t be completely dark. Makes for a long day when you are chasing either sunrises/sunsets or dawn/dusk wildlife. Add the elevation to all that and damn if we aren’t feeling wiped out a lot! Canyon, where we are right now, sits at about 7700′. All this walking we’ve done (about 18 miles in the last three days) is taking its toll.
Our first stop this morning was Hayden Valley. There were already plenty of people out and about doing the same thing we were. We saw plenty of bison and elk on this drive (and geese of course) but nothing else. And the ones we saw were just a few here and there, not like herds of them.
So we figured it was still early enough we’d head back to the Tower area where bears are more prominent. The spot where we found the mama black bear and her cubs was crowded once again. We stopped and got a few more pics – they aren’t great but maybe a little better than yesterday. At other spots people were gathered around saying a grizzly or black bear was here or there but too far up or out for decent pics, so we kept moving.
There were still some spots around the canyon we hadn’t seen yet so thought we’d try those before coming back for lunch. Buses. And people. Holy hell. There were a few parking spots left at the lower falls (same spot from last night) so we grabbed one. So. Many. People. And again, this is off peak. In fact this area (Canyon) just opened up on June 2. At least the plus side to other people being around is someone is usually offering to take pics of you together. We met the most wonderful couple from London up on that lookout. We must’ve talked with them for 10-15 minutes. One of my favorite parts of traveling is meeting different people. We decided the rest of those spots along the north rim can wait until this evening when most of the people are gone. On the way back to the car we ran across a couple of deer off in the trees. Why I had to stop to take pictures of deer is beyond me, but I did. It’s not like we don’t see them in our yard where we live.
Here is a shot of the Brink of the Upper Falls. This spot sure will humble a body. The power behind this rush of water (40,000 gallons per second going over the lip). A still image doesn’t even come close to conveying that so there is a video (or two) to go with it.
Lamar Valley is on the other side of Tower and it was still early so we turned in that direction to see if we could find more interesting shots. It didn’t take too long before we saw cars pulled over (or sometimes just stopped in the middle of the road). It got kind of funny because if saw just one or just a few, we’d keep right on trucking. But when we came across a herd we hit the brakes. Look at all the little babies!! So cute!!
Back at the lodge we grabbed a wok bowl (made to order) and once again were pleasantly surprised at how good it was. Bellies full we went back to our room to recharge again.
It's a Wonderful Life! 