TC Sees America: August 31, 2010

It is a 438 mile ride from Eagle Idaho to the West gates of Yellowstone Montana. You actually cross over into Wyoming as you enter the park but the sign is barely visible. The park shares both borders, but is mainly on the Wyoming side. Yellowstone was to be a contending highlight of my trip due to my familiarity with it through the Ken Burns series which I have mentioned before, “The National Parks, America’s Best Idea”.
I was fortunate to get a campsite close to the West entrance at the Madison Campground. There are several campgrounds throughout the park and any one would have been fine. I wasn’t going to be choosy and shop around, as there were scores of RV’s and tenters waiting to do the same as me. Get a campsite.
Yellowstone is approximately 2.6 million acres, but getting around is easy, due to the many roads with easy accessibility and the well positioned signs. These roads, by the way, were not unlike all the other parks I have been to, “UNDER CONSTRUCTION”. But, as Yellowstone is our oldest National Park, created in 1872, and is well traveled, repair is an ongoing proposition, even with the amount of summer visitors though, traveling was a snap.
I have been told that it is not politically correct to rate one park against another as better or worse, just to say “they are all different”. As that may be true, I found Yellowstone to be the most amazing, picturesque, diverse and the most wild and untamed park that I have experienced, at least so far. The park remains unchanged from the pioneer days when Teddy Roosevelt hunted, camped and traveled its wilderness on the same roads that are here today, the only difference is they are now paved. I think he would be pleased and proud to see his name on the lodge and stables at Yellowstone. Teddy participated in the creation of five National Parks.
What makes Yellowstone wild and untamed are it’s wild life inhabitants that roam free . Coyote, Bighorn Sheep, Elk, Grizzly and Black Bear, Wolfs, Bison, Pronghorn, Trumpeter Swan, Green Winged Teal, American White Pelican and more.
Yellowstone is also the most fly fished place in the United States for Trout of all species which include Cutthroat and Mountain White Fish.
What makes Yellowstone so unique are its geysers, hot springs, fumaroles, and mud pots, which are though out the park. The sulfur odor can be strong and dense in some places, but all adds to the fascination of seeing it for the first time. Old Faithful did not disappoint and draws a huge crowd to see this phenomenon.
I was fortunate to see a Coyote, Pronghorn, countless Bison, Elk and numerous species of birds, but I was after my elusive Bear.
Elusive is how it shall be, for now at least. I wrote a little poem about that, “ and it goes a little somethin like this”

TC’S FEELIN PERSECUTED BEAR FACED BLUES

Bison, Bison everywhere

Not a Bear in sight

I’ve searched and searched

But all in vain

It’s giving me a fright!

Coyote, Elk and Pronghorn

Are easy to distinguish

But Oh those Bears

Where are they now?

They don’t want me to see them!

I’ll fret a little and despair

But won’t give up the hunt

I’ll head down South

To The Grand Tetons

I’m sure I’ll see a bunch.

And so it goes, no bears, but no worries. My six days in Yellowstone have been an experience I will always remember.

Headed to Grand Tetons now to chase those rascals, where this post was entered.