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Thursday, August 28, 2008

Yellowstone National Park

We arrived to Yellowstone 4 days ago without really knowing exactly what and how much this park has to offer. We found ourselves in an active caldera full of dangerous animals. More than once we felt like red riding hood. Bad wolves, vicious coyotes and huge grizzlies in our vicinity. And once you're out of the woods you find yourself stepping on boiling or steaming ground where geysers suddenly erupt out of nowhere. Add to all that freezing nights (-1C) and cold windy days - we certainly deserve a week off. Cathy prepare the spa... (-:
Take for example this cute little(?) Grizzly. We saw him walking in the field close to a bunch of bison. It was pretty scary because they say that if you can see a bear without binoculars, it means you're too close. This guy can run 40mph.
The bison come to warm up in the hot springs area. The crowd doesn't seem to bother them.

Sometimes they go a bit too close

Coyote is out for dinner

Less threatening elk
The park major attractions are the thermal features - hot springs, mudpots and geysers. It's pretty scary to imagine what's going on under your feet, not very deep in the ground.
Some of the hot springs and geysers -
The hot spring pools can reach to 80C.We took a guided tour with ranger Jennifer who took the temperature of the different pools.


Only in Yellowstone - if your mammoth is not feeling well, where would you go?

5 comments:

Augusta en Hedzer en kids said...

Hi guys,
How impressive!!! What a wonderful experience all those animals. Never knew there were wild bison out there! The bear seems to follow you guys.....It looks kind of freshy:-)You crack some climate and cultural zones!
That will be relaxing and being taken care off when you stay with Cathy and Jim, what an experiences,
Beijos, Augusta

Unknown said...

Get the spa ready? Where do you think you're going, Weed? :-) Hee hee. We are SO looking forward to the visit and although we don't have a spa we have can have a nice cozy fire one evening. I think you'll find it a bit warmer when you come down out of the mountains. We still have a bit of summer left! Let us know when to expect you so I can get the maid to do her cleaning!

Dafi said...

Cathy, we're only joking...
Don't worry about the maid and cleaning. We come from so much dust that everything would look clean to us(-:
Ask Jack if he still wants to join us for a night or two.

Stac said...

wow you have seen lots of bears! Its hard to imagine being cold while its so hot and humid where I am! Be careful of those dangerous animals!

Augusta en Hedzer en kids said...

Cathy, maybe a nice hot tub will get these guys back clean and warm:-)Some relaxing bath oil, nice glass of wine, some delicious snacks, and slowly they will emerge from the wild life out there....
Have fun and enjoy the time together, Augusta