Day 3: Wild Wolves Woke up early to get ready for wolf tracking. Was a little unsure what to expect but in the end was very pleased with the results. Met our guide, MacNeil Lyons, at 6 AM. talked and planned our route based on what we wanted to see. We headed to Hayden Valley and set up some scopes. Saw three elk on the way. After waiting for a bit, we lucked out and saw a big grizzly too far away for a photo opt but cool none the less. After the bear ran into some folliage we lost him. Then some time passed and our guide spotted what I have been waiting my whole life to see in the wild -a wolf! After observing the one for a bit, another one joined it and before it was all over there were 4 wolves. One yearling and three pups, 2 black the others silvery-grey. We watched them through the scopes for some time then we lost them in the trees. Our guide told us more information about the wolves. By then a human pack had gathered to watch and listen and to see what was to be seen. We waited around some, and the grizzly came back. It headed towards the trees where we had last seen the wolves. The yearling came out of the trees and met the grizzly trying to divert the bear's attention from its younger charges. After some rarely witnessed wolf /bear interactions towards the end of meeting between the two species, the pups joined in the chasing the bear away.
Overall a great start to the morning. We then packed up and headed to our next location. Before making it very far, we saw a sow with two older bear cubs. We admired, then moved onward in hopes of seeing more. We drove down to Lamar Valley, stopping perodically. Saw another grizzly through the scope again and continued on our way. Saw some pronghorns and bison with the unaided eye. As we drove through Yellowstone, MacNeil told us great stories and information on just about everything, very helpful and knowledgeable. We stopped at the other wolf hot spot but after talking to the other people hanging out decided that a bear sighting further down the road would be better.
It proved to be the right choice. The grizzly was in tall grass but fairly close. Got okay pictures but overall just seeing it was worth it. After that, we started our journey back. We had set out at 6 am we came back at about 1. Saw 4 wolves, 6 grizzly, lots of elk, bison, and pronghorns, overall a eventful day.
But the day was not over yet. We drove to Mammoth Hot Springs. Saw a coyote, and pardon the pun, some mammoth formations. Ate, then drove to our lodging at Old Faithful. Saw some more elk, then reached the inn. Checked in, got settled, then ended the evening with a bang with Old Faithful being the last thing we saw before finally calling it a day.
Day 2 Oh, Bison!
Got up, packed the car, and stopped for breakfast at a place called The Virginian. After eating we hit the road heading for our hotel in the canyon area. Along the way we drove through The Tetons and stopped at the various places in Yellowstone until we reached Canyon Village.
Saw some really crazy tourists and a lot of bison as well, as the mud volcano. I think I can still smell it. Got a bit to eat, took a short rest, then off we went to look at the notable natural wonders that are Yellowstone. A lot of waterfalls and walking before we started for Lamar Valley in hopes of seeing my first wolf.
No wolf but more bison, some dear, elk, and two pronghornes as well as some beautiful scenery. Then after that crazy day, we retired to our rooms to recover.
Reminder: animals at Yellowstone are wild. Stay safe and smart.
Day 1 The Day of Travel
People say that it is not the path you take but the final destination that matters; however, getting to Jackson Hole was a path that was neither planned nor enjoyed. Planes are a pain. What else needs to be said. The first bump in the road occurred about five minutes after arriving at the airport when we found our plane was delayed, causing a conundrum of problems. Our options were to take an illogical flight path with three connections or wait till the following day. 
After 40 minutes of inaction we made the only choice really open to us, and the journey began. Bear with me. I am a control freak, do not take well to unexpected changes, and being around a mass of people puts me on edge, so at the risk of sounding like a spoiled brat I will share my story of my worst travel fears all wrapped into one day. I realize that I got to go on a trip of a lifetime. Believe me, that was the only thing that got me through that day. We got through security with only a minor hitch; my mom had to get her legs patted down. After scrounging for some lunch, we inhaled some pizza and veggies before the boarding process began. On top of all that happened already, some security guy decided to search my backpack that he couldn't figure out how to unzip. Now that inspired some confidence there. So after that pointless hassle we boarded and headed for Detroit. The one perk that we got for the inconvenience was first class seats on the first plane. I was underwhelmed. It was more like "first glass" as we coined it. The service was great and we did get our drink served in real glass cups, but everything else, well you get the idea. When we landed we had all of 15 minutes to get our next seats and board. We went from first class to last ass on the plane for a 3 hour and 40 minute ride, sitting in the last seats on the back of the plane. We were actually on that plane for 4 hours and 19 minutes. The in flight movie was "Water for Elephants" which we all enjoyed and it did make the trip go faster. The tv monitors were dirty and most were discolored and my seat belt was actually broken and came completely out of the seat. Then there was a very vocal kid who screamed and cried for 3 hours and 20 minutes of the flight. After the Detroit to Salt Lake City flight, only one leg of the trip was left. From Salt Lake City to Jackson Hole, it was about 10:00 pm our time. Other than being on a small plane and having to check our roll ons, the last leg of the journey was uneventful and we landed at about 11:00 pm something our time. The luggage came through fine and we went to pick up our rental car. After running around getting some last minute essentials we arrived at our hotel and finally the day of travel was ended. I promise this is the only day I complain this much. The other posts have many more photos, less words, and much more pleasantness, but this plane trip just really got under my skin. Stay with me. Thanks for reading.
Day 3: Wild Wolves Woke up early to get ready for wolf tracking. Was a little unsure what to expect but in the end was very pleased with the results. Met our guide, MacNeil Lyons, at 6 AM. talked and planned our route based on what we wanted to see. We headed to Hayden Valley and set up some scopes. Saw three elk on the way. After waiting for a bit, we lucked out and saw a big grizzly too far away for a photo opt but cool none the less. After the bear ran into some folliage we lost him. Then some time passed and our guide spotted what I have been waiting my whole life to see in the wild -a wolf! After observing the one for a bit, another one joined it and before it was all over there were 4 wolves. One yearling and three pups, 2 black the others silvery-grey. We watched them through the scopes for some time then we lost them in the trees. Our guide told us more information about the wolves. By then a human pack had gathered to watch and listen and to see what was to be seen. We waited around some, and the grizzly came back. It headed towards the trees where we had last seen the wolves. The yearling came out of the trees and met the grizzly trying to divert the bear's attention from its younger charges. After some rarely witnessed wolf /bear interactions towards the end of meeting between the two species, the pups joined in the chasing the bear away. 
Overall a great start to the morning. We then packed up and headed to our next location. Before making it very far, we saw a sow with two older bear cubs. We admired, then moved onward in hopes of seeing more. We drove down to Lamar Valley, stopping perodically. Saw another grizzly through the scope again and continued on our way. Saw some pronghorns and bison with the unaided eye. As we drove through Yellowstone, MacNeil told us great stories and information on just about everything, very helpful and knowledgeable. We stopped at the other wolf hot spot but after talking to the other people hanging out decided that a bear sighting further down the road would be better. 
It proved to be the right choice. The grizzly was in tall grass but fairly close. Got okay pictures but overall just seeing it was worth it. After that, we started our journey back. We had set out at 6 am we came back at about 1. Saw 4 wolves, 6 grizzly, lots of elk, bison, and pronghorns, overall a eventful day.
But the day was not over yet. We drove to Mammoth Hot Springs. Saw a coyote, and pardon the pun, some mammoth formations. Ate, then drove to our lodging at Old Faithful. Saw some more elk, then reached the inn. Checked in, got settled, then ended the evening with a bang with Old Faithful being the last thing we saw before finally calling it a day. 
