Wyoming, Yellowstone A Gem Of Nature

 

 

Descending a hill about ten minutes from Craig Pass, an early morning view of Yellowstone Lake comes into sight.

America's largest mountain lake which at one time flowed into the Pacific and Arctic Ocean.

 

 

 

A closer view requires that I make the turn towards West Thumb and Grant Village but I continue my journey south.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yellowstone Local

 

 

Along with a few other park visitors, I watch and take pictures as a small herd of mule deer are leisurely enjoying breakfast and a morning stroll along the highway.

 

 

 

 

 

Again, another neat experience to see the park's animal going about their normal daily routine.

 

 

 

 

 

Fortunately for me some areas of the park are still shaded from the advancing sun and I am offered the opportunity to relax by a still tranquil lake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calm Lake, Yellowstone Morning Fog

 

The world around me is silent except for the sounds of nature as I enjoy my peaceful surroundings. The scenery reminds me that somewhere there is always a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

 

Sometimes nature offers a nice option even if it is not in the form of a rose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although only thirty feet in height, Lewis Falls is still worth a stop.

A walk beneath the over pass allows a chance to touch it's refreshingly cool waters as it flows through an open valley southbound.

 

 

 

 

Lewis Falls

 

 

Relatively calm here, the water will at points downstream become a rushing tempest as it descends steep gouges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Returning to my car, I am greeted by a strange fellow out for a morning jog.

 

 

 

 

 

Wanting to strike up a conversation, I follow him along in my car.

However, I gather he's not the talkative type as he seems oblivious to my presence.

Jogging at about five to seven miles an hour, I guess he's training for the Boston Marathon and just wants to stay focused.

 

 

I wonder what Fantastic Mr Fox would have to say about that.

 

 

 

 

My first thought at the news of a forest fire is, how devastating. However, I have come to learn that forest fires are a vital part of the parks ecosystem. Over the years, numerous fires have happened in the park and although it seems destructive to the landscape, it also has benefits.

 

 

Lewis River Flowing In Gouge Below

 

One such fire occurred in the area I am now standing watching the Lewis River fiercely flow in a gouge below me.

 

Riding the wind, the fire leaped this gouge but today a slow rebirth and new growth is occurring. Part of a natural cycle of nature.

 

 

 

 

Soon Yellowstone South Entrance approaches and I am on my way to Grand Teton National Park.

 

Technorati Tags: Wyoming,Yellowstone National Park,Craig Pass,West Thumb,Grant Village,Grand Teton National Park,Yellowstone Lake,Pacific Ocean,Arctic Ocean,Lewis Falls,Lewis River,Fantastic Mr. Fox,Boston Marathon

Wyoming, Yellowstone And Dawn’s Early Light

 

Retracing my steps from the day before, I pass through Madison Junction headed towards Yellowstone’s South Entrance and Grand Teton National Park.

 

 

 

 

In the early morning light the same scenery is a different experience than the day before. The moon is setting on my right as dawn's early light approaches from the east. It is always a sensory delight to watch the changing of the color guard.

 

 

Setting Moon

 

The moon’s brilliant white is slowly replaced by the advancing orange rays of the sun. Night's blackness is exchanged for morning’s peaceful shades of blue. The contrast is spectacular on the park's landscape. An occasional approaching car removes my trance like state but I am still like a deer steering in the headlight as I enjoy nature's beauty.

 

Valley fog lifts as the sun gently heats the air ever so slowly.

It is promising to be a gorgeous day in Yellowstone.

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing my drive south, just beyond the Old Faithful turn off, I spot a lone bison having breakfast and park.

The gap between us gradually closes as he grazes aimlessly towards me. Eventually the bison crosses the street right in front of me.

 

 

 

 

An astounding bison close up

 

 

Grazing the median

 

 

 

 

 

Brief stops for selected photo opportunities then the Nissan's heater is at full blast. I can only stand a few minutes in the moist cold air. With just the blowing sound of hot air, my journey south continues to be most enjoyable.

 

 

From Old Faithful area it is a gradual climb to Craig Pass and the Continental Divide an elevation of about 8200 feet.

 

 

 

 

Here I am standing at the peaked roof of the continent and the birthplace of America’s greatest rivers. The Snake, Columbia, Missouri and Mississippi rivers all start here will drama except in the spring.

 

 

Isa Lake, Snake, Columbia, Missouri And Mississippi Birthplace

 

 

From Craig Pass and Continental Divide area, a hike can made to nearby Shoshone Lake in the valley below.

 

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Madison Junction,Yellowstone South Entrance,Grand Teton National Park,Old Faitful,Bison,Craig Pass,Continetal Divide,Isa Lake,Shoshone LakeL,Snake River,Missouri River,Columbia River,Mississippi River

Montana, West Yellowstone KOA Campground

 

 

6 miles west of town on Highway 20, I make a right turn to my accommodations for the night.

 

 

 

 

West Yellowstone KOA

I have reserved a cabin at KOA West Yellowstone campground. $72 per night and I am getting the “Bear” essentials part of what I want my Yellowstone experience to be.

After all, I am primarily here for some “pic a nic baskets”.

 

 

 

 

  No phone, no television just a simple plug in heater and free wireless internet.

There is a chill in the air and I doubt the plug in heater is going to do the job. Positioning it closer to the next thing I know is I am waking up at 4am to start my next day adventure in Yellowstone.

 

A layer of frost greets me as I cautiously load up my Nissan for the day.

The campground has reports along with evidence (a destroyed cooler) of bears roaming through the grounds at night.

I am not particular about having a close encounter of the furry kind unless it involves a “pic a nic basket”.

 

 

Leaving KOA, the moon is still bright but high in the clear night sky.

I will be on the road as Yellowstone comes and hope this will give me some neat experiences ahead of the daily crowd of visitors.

 

 

Technorati Tags: Montana,West Yellowstone KOA Campground,Nissan,Highway 20,Yellowstone,Bears,Pic a Nic Baskets

Wyoming, Dining In West Yellowstone

 

Returning to downtown West Yellowstone from an evening with Old Faithful, most restaurant are closing for the night and my dining choices for local fare is shrinking.

 

Circling “The Wagons”, I settle on Canyon Street Grill, an old fashioned diner styled restaurant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inside Canyon Street Grill

 

Hanging airplanes, Classic Chevy's and posters from yesteryear gives Canyon Street a feel good fun atmosphere.

 

With a menu boasting “The Best Chicken Sandwiches”, I am up for the Chicken Challenge.

Offering choices like El Diablo, Smokey Joe and James Dean, I select my man Smokey Joe minus the cheddar cheese. I do keep the crisp bacon, onions, honey mustard barbeque sauce and slices of chicken on toasted pumpernickel bread.

 

 

 

Smokey Joe

 

A bit messy to eat but the flavors work well together. A little less source would have helped. By no means your ordinary chicken sandwich. With a friendly and attentive wait staff, Canyon Street is a nostalgic slice of American Pie.

 

Technorati Tags: West Yellowstone Dining,Montana,Canyon Street Grill,Smokey Joe,James Dean,El Diablo,American Pie,Old Faithful,Classic Chevy,Diner

Wyoming, An Evening With Old Faithful

 

 

Having renewed my annual National Park Pass for $80 (everyone, should have one), I leave the West Entrance of Yellowstone headed for Old Faithful about 30 miles and a 1 hour drive away.

 

 

 

The scenery along the way threatens to make the drive time even longer. With sun moving west faster than I would like it to, I have to resist the urge to stop before daylight disappears.

 

Down the road I am faced with over 2000 pounds of flesh and facial hair that gives me no choice. Knowing I will not win a confrontation, I sit back and give my time challenger a lot of strolling and breathing room.

 

 

 

Soon enough I am looking at the right part of this bison’s anatomy not knowing a sly surprise awaits me at my next stop.

 

 

 

 

 

“Oh, I did not see you sitting in the dark over there”

Could it be?

 

 

 

 

 

Fantastic Mr. Fox

 

 

Dusk arrives about the same time as I do at Old Faithful.

Soon a rising full moon accompanies us and puts a spotlight on tonight's up and coming star.

 

 

 

Somewhat true to it's name, we know Old Faithful will make an appearance but will it be “Hollywood”, fashionably late. As we wait the temperature is falling rapidly as the audience shivers. Hands are rubbed together in hopes of starting a fire.

Word spreads that a posting at the Old Faithful Lodge gives an appearance time of 8:50pm plus or minus 15 minutes. Based on the length of time of the previous eruption, park officials can reasonably predict when the next eruption of Old Faithful will occur. This varies between 65 to 90 minutes.

 

As we wait, like a great showman, Old Faithful gives us teasers of what’s to come.

Blubbing sounds with puffs of steams 10 to 30 feet in the air and the crowd excitement collectively rises then it all disappears.

 

 

 

This foreplay has been going on for about 30 minutes since I arrived.

As the temperature continues to fall, I am getting as cold as ice and hope the foreplay soon ends.

 

 

More blubbing, more steaming, more blubbing, I can sense the temperature is rising then the moment we have all been waiting for. A cloud of steam ascends a hundred plus feet in the air from the spewing hot water.

 

 

Moon Over A Rising Star

 

 

Downwind, I am touched by the mist now cooled by the night air. Amazing since it leaves the earth at 200 plus degrees.

Old Faithful has once again made an appearance worthy of an Academy Award Oscar.

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: National Park Annual Pass,West Entrance Yellowstone,Bison,Old Faithful,Old Faithful Geyser,Fantastic Mr. Fox,Academy Award Oscar,Old Faithful Lodge

Wyoming, Destination Yellowstone

 

 

My journey to Yellowstone National Park somewhat begins in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Instead of a 320 mile 5 hour drive, I opt for an hour and a half fight on Skywest, The Delta Connection.

Along with about 15 other passengers, I patiently wait to board my flight in a standing room only waiting area.

 

 

“Now boarding all passengers for Delta Connection Flight 7783”

 

 

Today my flight is onboard an EMB-120 turboprop airplane which holds about 30 passengers.

This service is only offered seasonally to West Yellowstone Airport.

 

 

 

 

It is not long before I am asleep to the hypnotic sound of the spinning propellers.

This is something I love about these types of airplanes, it brings back memories of the old romance of flying.

I am awaken in flight somewhere over Southern Wyoming with blue skies above, farmlands and wide open spaces below.

 

 

 

Soon I capture Grand Teton Mountain Range in the distance which I hope to visit up close in a day or two.

 

Our arrival into West Yellowstone Airport gives nice views of the diverse landscape to be explored.

The airport is only served by Skywest Airlines although it has previously hosted Air Force One and President Obama.

 

 

 

 

An Economy Car from Avis for $62 per day will give me the “Spirit Of Mobility” while at Yellowstone.

Although rentals are also available from Budget at comparable prices, Avis seems to have a better selection of cars available.

 

 

 

From the airport it is a short drive into town and the West Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. This part of Yellowstone is located in Montana. Established in 1872, Yellowstone is America's and the world's first national park. Although most of the park is in Wyoming it is so huge it also encompasses a part of Idaho and Montana.

The park was formed from historic volcanic eruptions and has more geysers than New Zealand and Iceland. Part of my adventure here is to witness one of the most famous geysers, Old Faithful.

 

Technorati Tags: Wyoming,Yellowstone,Skywest,Old Faithful,Salt Lake City,Montana,Iceland,New Zealand,Geysers,Yellowstone National Park,Avis,Budget,West Yellowstone Airport,Grand Teton Mountain Range,Airforce One,President Obama,Idaho

Rhode Island, Providence .. And I Said

 

 

 

Staying at the Hilton Downtown Providence, you may say we have nothing in common but I say “What about breakfast at Caffe Dolce Vita”? With my VIP 20 percent off discount card from the Concierge Manny at the Hilton, I think we can have a great time.

Located at 59 DePasquale Plaza in the Federal Hill area of downtown Providence, Caffe Dolce Vita is just a short 15 minute walk from the Hilton. Like myself most people only think of great culinary experiences during lunch and dinner. Today, I hope I am in for a surprise. After all breakfast is suppose to be the most important meal of the day.

 

This area of the city is still asleep and the air is fresh as I park just outside DePasquale Plaza. Entering the Plaza, I am greeted by a water fountain and colorful buildings that line both sides of the plaza. I spot Caffe Dolce towards the back along with a hotel and other restaurants that are not yet open for business. I am so early that even the sole waitress is still busy opening the patio umbrellas for the day.

 

Previewing the menu, I cannot believe a breakfast here is offered for just $2.99. Eggs, toast and home made potatoes for under $3.00.

For that price I now understand how Dan Quayle could miss spell potatos.

 

 

 

 

 

For $6.95 I order up Lemon Poppy Pancake topped with fresh strawberries and powdered sugar. So delicious you hardly need to add syrup. For a few bucks, a side of home fries (potatoes) are a nice compliment.

 

A friendly waitress, a nice outdoor patio and the peacefulness of the early morning makes this a delightful culinary experience.

 

 

 

 

I hope you will have breakfast at Caffe Dolce Vita then I am sure we will have something in common.

 

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Hilton Downtown Providence,Rhode Island,Providence,Federal Hill,Dan Quayle,DePasquale Plaza,Caffe Dolce Vita,Lemon Poppy Pancake