Old Faithful & Mammoth Hot Springs

We said our good-byes this morning to Ana and to Togwotee Mountain Lodge as we loaded up and made our way back to Yellowstone. One last look at the Tetons as we make a brief stop at Ox Bow Bend. Still beautiful and the reflection of Mt. Moran on the lake is like a mirror. Our destination this morning, first off, is Old Faithful.

On this morning's drive through the lodge pole pine corridor heading toward Grant Village we had another bear sighting. Unfortunately we had no where to turn off and by the time it was spotted we were past it. So, only few folks in the rear of the coach got the view. Great for them!
Through a bit of fortuitous timing we arrived at the Old Faithful Inn in time for the 10:57 am eruption of the Old Faithful geyser. Only the eruption occurred at 11:10am. Kinda like watching a pot of water on the stove. The more you watch it the longer it takes to boil. No worries, though. The large crowd gathered around the viewing area were treated to about a three minute eruption of hot water and steam shooting some 135 feet into the air. After the eruption we headed for a bit of lunch in the cafeteria. Then we returned the viewing stands were witness to another Old Faithful eruption. Several folks took to the boardwalk trail around the many steam vents and smaller geysers in the area of Old Faithful.  A 1:00 pm departure was met and we were on our way north.

Smiling faces since we got to see Old Faithful spout two times!

Gibbon Falls between Madison and Norris information centers was a nice stop for us.  A walking path took us to a viewing area above the falls with great vistas of the river and canyon below.

If I'm overusing words like "magnificent" or "incredible" or "amazing", please forgive me. I'm going to have to dig out my Thesaurus to find more words to describe the scenic beauty (there's two more words) that we've seem so far on this tour. I'm sure there will be many views and vistas even more amazing as we make our way into Glacier National Park in a couple days, so I'd better improve my vocabulary.

Just passed Roaring Mountain and we can see in the distance dark, thick clouds signifying the beginning signs of our afternoon showers. Let's hope that we can get to and make the Terrace Walk at Mammoth Hot Springs before the storms begin.

Marsha may have spotted a moose! Off in the distance in some prime marsh land area she spotted what may have been our first moose sighting. Sadly, though there was no place to stop and take a better look. The road traveling north from Norris to Mammoth is quite narrow and does not offer many opportunities to pull over and gawk.

Sadly the rain has foiled our plans to walk the terraces at Mammoth. A quick stop at the Visitor Center followed by an ice cream fix for those in need of one (me) and the rain decided to let up. A few of us danced between the rain drops and walked the few hundred yards of the lower terrace. The hydrogen sulfide odor was a bit on the strong side but not enough to keep the brave ones from making the walk. The colors of the boiling hot springs along with the unique formations from the mineral deposits made the walk worthwhile.

Several elk were spotted on the drive from Yellowstone, along with deer and geese and even a few fishermen. Marsha's sighting notwithstanding, we're still looking for the elusive close-in sighting of a moose. Maybe not until we reach Glacier National Park. I can wait.

Our home for tonight is the Hampton Inn, Bozeman, Montana.  At dinner time the group split, half at Famous Dave's and Half at Applebees and returned to the hotel at about 8:00 pm.

Our group gets some much needed rest, with a 9:15 am departure . . . Then onward to Glacier National Park with some fun along the way.

Yellowstone National Park

Wow! What a beautiful morning! 49 degrees, a light drizzle and the view of the Teton mountain range partially in the sun with a layer of fog stretching the lower length of the range. It gave the appearance of the mountain peaks breaking through the fog and illuminated by the early morning sun. Truly, this is one of God's gifts. Words can't describe it and pictures don't do it justice. You just have to see it for yourself.

Winding our way thought Grand Teton National Park on the way to Yellowstone the sun broke through the clouds. Blue sky and sunshine, what a great combination.

Passing by Jackson Lake it is indeed sad to see how low the lake is. Providing irrigation water to neighboring state, Idaho may be good for them but it has to have a negative impact on the wildlife and balance of nature in Yellowstone. We saw many, many animal tracks leading from the shore through the mud for hundreds of feet to get a drink of water. It wasn't that long ago on our last visit to Yellowstone that we saw this lake full and providing a beautiful setting for the wildlife and tourists alike. OK, I'll get off my soapbox for now.

First wildlife moment of the day. When we saw a number of cars stopped on the side of the road we figured it's got to be some sort of animal. It was a grizzly bear no more than 30 yards from the side of the road. What a fantastic sight! The bear was digging for food, paying no attention at all to all of the onlookers. Ana told us it was a rather small grizzly but it sure looked big from where I was setting. Dark brown, almost black in color and possibly 400-500 pounds (I'm guessing). It sure helps being as high off the ground as we were sitting on the motor coach, giving us a spectacular view of this magnificent animal. Cameras are a-clicking away. Brian opened the door so Marsha could get some great shots.

Beauty appreciation moment (as Ana calls it). We pulled to the side of the road for a vista of the Lewis Canyon, named after the explorer Meriweather Lewis of Lewis and Clark fame. Not only were we able to take in the splendor of the canyon and the Snake River, we saw the results of the 1988 fire that destroyed almost 30% of the park. Many small trees have been naturally reseeded after the fire and are growing quite well. Some are 15-20 feet tall and climbing.

I guess I could talk (write) forever on each stop we make and sight we see, but I think I'll keep this to the highlights and leave a little something to your imagination.  Maybe you'll want to go with us on one our next tours.

Another spectacular photo op. Artist Point at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone provided incredible views of the Lower Falls and the brilliant coloring of the cliffs on either side. The Yellowstone River flows north from the Yellowstone Lake and into the canyon. The canyon is over 4,000 feet across and 800 -1,200 feet deep. A viewing point of the Upper Falls is next.
Just a short walk took us out to a viewing platform of the Upper Falls. Great photo op and worth the walk.

We drove through Hayden Valley looking for bison. We could see them but they quite far off in the distance so a close up view of bison was not possible today (or so we thought). There's always tomorrow, however. Maybe we'll get lucky then. We did see a couple of small herds from across the Yellowstone River. Not the close up view we were hoping for but the camera can always bring them in pretty close. We'll take it. On the drive through the valley we could see many trees where the bark was rubbed raw by bison rubbing up against them trying to shed their winter coat. Patience pays off. We came up on a small herd near the road so we got our close up look at bison. We were within 50 yards of one rather large bison who obviously was aware of our presence. He was rolling around in the dirt, stood up and looked around and rolled in the dirt gain. Quite a show.

Dinner tonight was once again delicious followed by a game of 8-ball by a few of the group. Another successful day of touring and looking forward to tomorrow.

Be sure to check back to our blog regularly. When we have a strong Internet connection we will add photos!

Grand Teton National Park

Great night's sleep last night. Woke up refreshed and ready to go. Of course, that 48 degree temperature this morning was invigorating to say the least.

After a delicious breakfast we met Ana from Ana's Grand Excursions who is our tour guide today and tomorrow.

Today we are touring around Grand Teton National Park, hoping for some wildlife sightings as well as the majestic scenery that is Grand Teton.

We entered the Park at the Moran entrance. After only a few minutes driving in the Park we spotted a grey wolf apparently on the hunt. Why do I say this? It might be the three elk cows we spotted about a quarter mile off the road just a ways up from where we saw the wolf.

The first of many photo ops today was at Ox Bow Bend turnout. The morning stillness of the river and the calm (read no) winds produced a beautiful reflection of the Teton range on the water. A couple of elk were seen crossing the river possibly trying to avoid the wolf or wolves while in the distance we could hear wolves howling. Were they after the elk?

We stopped for another photo op at the Snake River Overlook and a magnificent view of Mt. Moran and the glaciers on the mountain. Next, we stopped at the Moose Junction Visitor Center for a brief rest break, we got our National Parks Passport Book stamped and did a little shopping. Always a moving stop . . . 

The Chapel of the Transfiguration was built in 1925 and still functions as an Episcopal church and is operated by St. John's Episcopal Church in Jackson. It's a favorite spot for photographers and sightseers and was our next on our agenda. The Chapel sits on a rise just within the southern entrance of Grand Teton National Park. The large window behind he altar frames the magnificent beauty of the Teton Mountain Range and was the backdrop for a number of photos our group took. We stayed only about 30 minutes but that was enough to take in the breathtaking scenery both inside and outside the chapel.

We saw a small herd of bison earlier this morning so we thought we would try and get a little closer. Well, we didn't find the bison but we found where they had been (if you know what I mean). Photo op at the Mormon barns while standing among the sagebrush and avoiding where the bison had been.

Walking along the shore of String Lake, on the path of course produced some wonderful photo ops. Just a leisurely walk on the path with the lake to our right and the trees to our left was about as relaxing and enjoyable as any walk could be. 

Another wonderfully scenic photo op was during our stop at Jenny Lake. No matter how many times we come back here, it never gets old. The sights are spectacular and the smell of the lodge pole pine is simply intoxicating. Ana, our guide, told us the story of how Jenny Lake got its name. It has a bit of a sad ending to it so I'll just say, "look it up".

Lunch was at Jackson Lake Lodge, a place we've been to on three other tours to Grand Teton National Park. Most of us ate at the grille, a diner-style lunch counter. Staring out into the marsh area behind the lodge for about twenty minutes and Chyle and I thought we spotted a moose. Many of the group heard of our find and came to see for themselves. Lo and behold it was not to be. Marsha was able to zoom in closer with her camera and our "moose" turned out to be a bush with gaps in it that looked like a standing moose. I thought it seemed like the "moose" was standing still an awfully long time. Better luck next time.

Ana took about 20 of the group on a short uphill hike to Picnic Point, where John Rockefeller frequented, to enjoy his picnic lunch. Uphill one way but downhill coming back. No falls, no spills, just a nice short hike.

Cowboy cookout tonight was moved indoors due to slight chance of rain. And rain it did! A bit of a thunderstorm accompanied the downpour made this a wise decision. The winners of the Scavenger Hunt were announced just before dinner and "The Old Faithfuls" we're crowned champions. Congrats to Bob, M.L., Bryant, John C. and Bill for a job well done. Actually everyone deserves a big hand for making this scavenger hunt one of most fun and challenging games we've ever done. BBQ Pork Ribs were the feature on the cookout with delicious sides, salad and apple cranberry cobbler for dessert. Kudos to Chef Steve Erbe for an amazing meal this evening! Sadly, the rain washed out our campfire s'mores tonight so we'll try again tomorrow.

Yellowstone National Park tomorrow!

We're Going to Jackson

Luggage handling is one of those behind the scenes aspects of group travel that is under appreciated but is nonetheless vital to the success of a tour. Counting and checking each bag by name and not count as it's brought to the coach by hotel porters ensures we have each and every bag before we depart. Why am I rambling on about this? This morning, I didn't check off one bag so I asked the porters to check to see if it was put out for pickp late. While they did that I found the person whose bag was not checked off and asked what the bag looked like. Black and white polka dots ensured it would be found if it was on the coach. It was. I just missed it between checking and helping the drive load. All's well, so off we go.

Golden Corral is one of those places that handle large groups very well.  We had gotten a few minutes behind earlier in the day (they were so into the scavenger hunt we had trouble getting them on the road) but the Golden Corral in Rawlins, Wyoming had us in and out in no time with hot, fresh food and plenty of it. We filled our bellies and were on the road in under an hour.
The Chamber of Commerce in Pinedale, Wyoming served as a welcome rest break after lunch. Earl the Grizzly Bear was on display in the lobby as were a number of booklets, pamphlets and assorted other bits of information on the area. If we had a bit more time, Pinedale would have been a nice place to look around. There were plenty of shops, restaurants and watering holes just waiting to be patronized. Ah well, we're on the way to Jackson so maybe another time. Thanks for the hospitality, Pinedale. We'll be back.

We arrived in Jackson, Wyoming on schedule. The Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival is going on this weekend so the town of Jackson was filled to capacity. Well, not really, but there are a LOT of people here, including the Travel Masters. We let off the coach at the town square in the shadow of one of the elk antler archways for three hours of exploring and dining in historic Jackson center.

Before setting off we all gathered under the elk antlers for a group photo. Once taken, it was off to dinner. Several of us went to the Local Restaurant for a tasty burger, buffalo burger, that is and a cold tasty beverage. Cooked to perfection and delicious we all left satisfied. Walking around the square we stopped to admire the many art galleries and their fine collections, most a bit out of our price range. Fun to look at nonetheless. A single scoop of wild huckleberry ice cream completed my dining experience. All that was left was to head to our home for the next three nights, Togwotee Mountain Lodge in Moran.

On the drive to Moran we got a preview on tomorrow's activity. We entered Grand Teton National Park from the south and traveled up US route 26, keeping a watchful eye out for wildlife. We did spot a small bison herd and even a few elk grazing. Just enough to whet our appetite for tomorrow.

It was totally dark by the time we reached Togwotee Mountain Lodge. I was greeted warmly and after working a few logistical details we unloaded the coach and proceeded to our rooms. No elevator so we took the stairs.

After arriving our rooms we found out no AC so we opened a window. As I sit here writing this, the room is now cooler than any we've been in so far, even with AC. The rooms are comfortable so I am expecting a good night's sleep.

Grand Teton National Park tomorrow with Ana's Grand Excursions guiding us. Can't wait!

Arching our way across Nebraska

5:00 am wake-up this morning. No, I didn't ask the front desk to wake me. Just woke up and couldn't get back to sleep. What to do, what to do? Workout in the fitness center, that's what. I walked a little over 2 miles in about 40 minutes on the treadmill. Not the most strenuous of workouts but it helped get the morning started. Grabbed a coffee for Marsha and headed back to the room.

Guess what day it is? Hump Dayyyyyyy! Yeah! Nothing like a camel walking through the office asking anyone who would listen what day it is. Makes me laugh every time I see it. OK, so I'm easily entertained.

Following a smooth "bags out" this morning, The Great Platte River Road Archway in Kearney, Nebraska was our first stop of the day. This our second time bringing a group to the Archway it's a great stop if you happen to be traveling I-80 through Nebraska. Rather than go into any gat detail about the archway I would invite you to open a browser and checkout their website: www.archway.org and learn all about it. I will say this, though, the greeting we got when we entered plus the walk through the settling of the west through their very interesting exhibits and audio descriptions made this stop a hit among the group. Definitely a must see on any drive across Nebraska.

Dickies BBQ at the Chuckwagon Restaurant in the Archway handled the group quite nicely. The food was hot, servers were helpful and pleasant and all in all a great start to Day 2 of the Safari.To quote the side of my big yellow cup, " I really love adventure. I'm a great travel buddy! Let's face it, you can always pick me out of a crowd. So...Where are we going?" We can answer that!. . . on the The Great American Scenic Safari.

The Great American Scavenger Hunt has started! We have broken down the group into 11 teams, all trying to complete the scavenger hunt in the allotted 24 hours. There are 50 "facts" about each of the members on the bus, plus a couple of bonus questions in the event of a tie. Husbands against wives, roommate against roommate all playing for some high stakes prizes and to have a lot of fun. This icebreaker game was Marsha's creation and everyone seems to have jumped in with both feet and having a good time with it.

Team: Geysers

Team: Boiling Mud Pits

Team: Crazy Horses

Team: Glaciers

Team: Hot Springs

Team: Old Faithfuls

Team: Tetons

Team: Yellowstones

Not pictured are the Team: Badlands, Rushmores and Little Bighorns

Dinner tonight was at The Cavalryman Steakhouse in Laramie, Wyoming. I love it when we choose an event location or in this case a restaurant based on research and a few phone calls and it turns out to b a hit like The Cavalryman.  We pre-ordered our meals choosing from Prime Rib, Chicken or Veggie Pasta. We had been following this place on Facebook since we made the booking and we aware of a cosmetic change they had done. New flooring which gave the place a rustic, historical kind of look was immediately noticed (by us) and commented on. Back o the food. One word. Delicious! Everyone immediately got quiet when their food arrived, a sure sign of enjoyment. Following our bread pudding dessert and settling up, we boarded our coach and traveled all of 7 miles to the Hampton Inn Laramie for the night. The hotel staff greeted us and got all of our bags to their respective rooms in short order, very much appreciated by all of us. 30 minutes to clean the bus, rotate seat assignments and we were ready to call it a night. 

Jackson, Wyoming is our destination with three nights at Togwotee Mountain Lodge but more on that tomorrow . . .

and away we go . . .

8:00 am departure and we're on the road at 7:58 am. Ya gotta love that!

Let's see . . . 47 checked bags, 48 carry-on bags, not to mention all the goodies we put on board last night and of course the 48 travelers (and 1 fine driver) all packed up and ready to roll .
Getting to know everyone on the coach; introductions that is, can bring out some very creative responses. We asked, "Using the first letters of your first and last name, what did you bring along on this tour?"  From Cookies to Wildebeasts to Naughty Jammie's, we heard it all. Belly laughs all the way around!

Lunch was at that favorite watering hole and lunch spot near the campus of OSU in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Eskimo Joe's. Delicious burgers, pulled pork sandwiches, chicken sandwiches, chef salads and of course our drinks served in an Eskimo Joe's souvenir cup. And as if that wasn't enough, the EJ store was very happy to see us. T-shirts, caps and a variety of goodies were flying off the shelves.

Onward north toward Wichita and on into Nebraska.
We stopped at a QT just north of Wichita near Park City for a short rest break. What a momentum-stopper this turned out to be! We try and stop every two hours on average to give folks a chance to stretch, use the facilities or maybe grab a quick snack. Plus it offers the driver a much-needed break as well. When you're on a schedule, timing is important. 1-holer restrooms can definitely slow you down! Every QT we had ever been in had adequate facilities . . . until this one! Enough of the bathroom talk ! Onward and northward, we were back on our way after a few extra minutes.

Today is icebreaker day. Mixing up our travelers to help get them acquainted, we had a second game in store for them. It was a  "Wizard of Oz" trivia game that Marsha made up just for the drive through Kansas. We broke the group into teams of four, asking each team in turn a question about the movie. 11 teams playing and we made it through three rounds before crowning a winner. The team of Sandy, Marvie, Chyle & Marie were the champions and claimed their prize. $10 McDonalds Arch cards for each of them. As our rest breaks at time include stops at McDonalds these are sure to come in handy.

Dinner this evening was at York Country Club in York, Nebraska. Not only were they ready for us when we arrived (on time of course), the food was hot and delicious. Roast Beef, chicken cordon bleu with sides and carrot cake for dessert.

While the group was enjoying their meal, Brian (our driver) and I went to the hotel, Hampton Inn York to do a luggage drop and return for our dinner. Ah, the best laid plans as the saying goes. Due to a miscommunication there was no luggage handling available at the hotel. WHAT?! But with Brian loading the carts and me delivering, all of the bags made it to their respective rooms in quick order (thus earning my workout for today).

'Twas the Night Before Touring...

The excitement is reaching a crescendo. Tomorrow morning, September 3rd the Great American Scenic Safari will be on the road. The night before, Marsha and I headed to meet the motor coach and load it up with supplies for he trip. 15 cases of water, enough for about half the Trip; snacks, candies, mints, and other assorted supplies to last for 13 days. We also added a number I'd surprises for the group. I'd tell you, but then......

So, after an hour or so, we got the coach fully stocked, seats assigned, surprises in place and ready to go!

Can't wait for 5:00 am!