We collectively decided to adjust our schedule for an earlier start today which meant we would have to shower the night before or get up early enough to get ready, strike camp and hit the road. Our plan was to see the sights early and get back to camp for some down time.
The falls are located in a section of the park called the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. The highway leading to this spot was familiar as we had driven it coming into the park on Saturday. Vast valleys carved by Yellowstone River with its clear steadily flowing water supported lone Bison and an occasional herd.
There is no indication of either falls as we followed the signs to the smaller parking areas that were filling up as we entered. The National Park Service planned the parking well as there is typically a short walk to the main site with trails that took hikers desiring alternate views deeper into the woods.
The first sight of Upper Falls is one of those Wow! moments. Thousands of gallons of water patiently but forcefully drop ??? feet from the Yellowstone River into the waiting basin below creating a stampede of mist that churned like foam from a massive crashing wave. We took the quarter of a mile trail to the left of the main viewing sight and was afforded closer views of the falls. On the way down the trail we came across a very healthy groundhog lying on the branch of a fallen tree. He seemed comfortable and not in the least bit intimidated by his audience. At the first lookout our view of the falls added a rainbow at the head of the mist that afforded good picture and video opportunities. The foliage along the trail was unique as varieties of plants, flowers and wild grass with the ever vigilant tall pines combined to make individual gardens of color that were pleasing sights unto themselves.
The short drive to the Lower Falls led to another small parking lot that was efficient but beginning to fill with cars, RVs and tour buses. Each had their designated areas with the inevitable traveler who found a place for their car
in a section of the lot set aside for larger vehicles. After a couple of trips around the zoo we found our place and walked up to the main viewing area. This spot is known as Artist Point and affords 3 views of the falls, canyon and river. At first glance, Lower Falls looks very similar to Upper Falls except for being viewed from a farther distance away. The surrounding canyon however is formed by what looks like sulphur deposits from unknown geysers somewhere nearby and thus clearly distinguishes itself from its cousin upriver. The viewing platforms were built to look as if they were natural formations, stairs included. Everyone was jockeying for camera position, ourselves included which made for a bit of congestion that, for the 1st time, made us ready to click the pic and get out of there.
Time passes quickly here. By the time we were on the road back to Fishing Bridge the clock was inching toward 1 PM. We drove past our turn off to make a quick stop at the Yellowstone Lake post office so Beth could buy stamps for the post cards she would send to her incoming 3rd grade students. On our way back to camp we pulled into the Fishing Bridge Visitor Center to see what it offered. The building was completed in 1931 in traditional mountain construction with stone foundation and exposed beam frame. Inside housed a museum with stuffed birds, fish and wildlife indigenous to the area. Two Rangers were available for information related to the park in general and the Fishing Bridge area in particular. The. Museum store provided the usual fare including bear spray which the Ranger said he was required to carry.
The Fishing Bridge area hosts the greatest concentration of Grizzly and Brown bear in the park. The Ranger said that he had not seen a bear in the area in a few weeks but had heard that there was a bear in the RV site (where we are staying) yesterday. He also told of 2 encounters with bears that hit close to home. Once while hiking, a bear attempted to enter his tent while his friend woke up in a 3-sided shelter with a bear licking his head for the salt. When he awoke he looked up into the creature's eyes. They had a 2-second stare off before the bear turned and ran.
Back at camp we attached the utilities, lowered the canopy and set up the folding chairs outside. After a lunch of Chicken Pot Pies,Tessa and Jonathan set up their ENOs. As a parent, I am always looking for generation defining trends. The ENO (hammock) culture seems to have a life of its own, at least in Birmingham. Suspending the airborne sleeping bag between 2 trees affords a great place to relax and in the case of J and T, to read. We all took it easy until our late dinner during which we talked about life and the days ahead.
We have agreed that a positive aspect of motorhome living is that we spend time together that in Birmingham, while in same house, find ourselves distracted by other interests and demands. The flip side of constant closeness is that it can be difficult to have your own space. We also agreed, though, that the positive far, far outweighs the negative.
Our agenda for tomorrow calls for an early departure from Yellowstone as we head south to the Grand Tetons for a quick look before heading out for our drive that will ultimately bring us to Malibu. The pressure is off as we have 2 nights and 2 and a half days to get there.
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