Wandering in Awe

Good Morning Blog!  Sorry I've not been here, I've not had internet access since the last time I posted.  

I ended up driving north, through Yellowstone National Park.  I hit Madison Campground, inside the park, at about 3:30 and it was full.  I was able to have them secure me a spot in Bridge Bay Campground, some 58 miles away, so off I went.  Along the way I saw Bison, Elk, and lots and lots of tourists.  I was hoping I'd hit the park before the big rush of the season, but I was wrong.  

I drove over a couple 8000' passes, crossing the continental divide.  There is still quite a bit of snow on the side of the road, but the roads were fine.    I checked in to Bridge Bay, which filled up quickly. It is a big open area, with no power, so generators running, dogs barking and lots of people.   I woke at 5am to 32 degrees and decided to beat feet out of there before the masses hit the road, headed for Grand Teton National Park.

Shortly after leaving I came across a BIG HEALTHY Black Bear on the side of the road.  Didn't stop, but tried to take a photo as I drove by.  Can you find him/her?

I then saw a lovely fluffy fox right along the side of the road.    Back over the Continental Divide and into Grande Teton NP.   Just before I turned off the main hwy another healthy but smaller Black Bear ran across the road right in front of me.  I had to brake, to avoid hitting it!  Not all the campgrounds were open yet, but I got to Signal Mountain Campground before 8am and secured the best spot in the campground for the next 2 nights, because the folks in the spot were just leaving.   Here is the view from my site:

I took a little drive and came across this view!  OH MY....

I wanted to do some hiking, but clearly the bears were everywhere.  There were signs saying do not hike alone, carry bear spray, make lots of noise.   There were flashing temporary signs along the roads saying "Bear Crossing next 3 miles" and "Bears with cubs, next 2 miles".    I didn't have bear spray (I priced it in the Visitor's Center....$45. a can).  I started out on a short hike but felt very vulnerable even though I was singing at the top of my lungs (making noise you know).  So I cut the hike short and just did exploring by car.  Lots of stunning vistas.   The Tetons are amazing.

I visited a thing called "Kettles" or "Potholes".  These are small patches in the sage flats where ice calved off glaciers and melted, causing low spots and unique ecosystems. The tree patches in the photo below are the 'Kettles'.   I found lots of lovely wildflowers in the area too.

Yesterday I decided, after some bird watching and more exploring, to go to the Olaus and Mardy Murie Education Center.    I have read books by the Murie's about their time in the Alaska Brooks Range, but knew nothing of their work in this area.    I spent over an hour talking with Dan, the interpreter at the site, about their legacy and this place where they lived after 'retirement'.   Olaus was the first president of the Wilderness Society and meetings were held on the front porch and living room of this house.   It was the highlight of my visit to this park.   As I was talking with Dan, about my career with the Forest Service and everything else, he gave me a gift of the book 'A journey to the Far North', by Olaus about his early years in the Hudson's Bay area, Canada and Alaska.   WOW.

This morning it is time to move on.   I woke to overcast, 34 degrees and rain.   I have had spectacular blue sky and sunshine until now.    I drove over Teton Pass to Victor Idaho this morning, to visit a wonderful friend, the woman who drove with me to Alaska back in 1981 when I moved to Seward.   I hit some snow over the 8000' Pass.

I know I'm back tracking a bit... remember, this is Wandering with Waddles.   I will be spending the Memorial Day weekend in Victor, while my friend has time off work, and I can avoid fighting the holiday weekend crowds.  It worked out perfectly.   The only 'hard' date I have on this trip is Colorado Springs on June 3.