Day 5 Night5
It will be quite a surprise if I can still recollect all that happened during this trip which happened so long ago, that I am not sure many care. However, I always hoped to take this to a completion so here goes...... (as aside, I much thank my friend-N.S, who we met over the weekend, who prompted me to open up the blog again, and try to be slightly more regular in blogging, so hopefully this is an attempt to do the same without faltering!!------ There, I think I have digressed for this post :D)
Day 4 started as usual with Sri up, followed by others and then packing into our SUV with which I was by now familiar as to where each suitcases and things go so as to be a perfect fit without blocking the rear view. We checked out of an excellent accommodation in Jackson Hole (a small town just south of Grand Tetons NP), got some gas, and off we went. This was the first absolutely clear sky day we encountered in the trip, till which time, we encountered rain some time or other in the day.
We were off to the nearby resort, which had a sky-lift to go near about the top of the Tetons range. Though the day was sunny and bright, it was pretty chilly once we reached the top and there was an abundance of snow around. We got a beautiful close-up view of the range, spent some time up top, admired some jumpers who descended with parachutes and then came back down to the resort. We had some lunch then proceeded into the national park itself. Saw a lone deer real close by, which was absolutely not bothered by cars nearby.
The park itself was nothing spectacular except the huge Tetons range that was visible along the drive in the park. Saw a couple of lakes and kept quickly progressing to next viewpoint but overall nothing majorly special to write home about. I have seen some fantastic scenes played out in Tetons and the bright clear and cloudless sky made the scenery a bit bland and touch disappointing. We proceeded on to Snake River vista point, the one made famous by Ansel Adams. However again with a lot of haze and heck a lot of trees (which blocked the perfect 'S' of the snake river) it was another viewpoint with nothing much to write about.
On the way though, was our first sighting of the American Bison. An absolute mammoth of a beast, with which I am sure many carnivores would be quite vary of messing with. Each weighed near about 1 ton and though they seemed languid, there was no doubt that they could muster required speed and knock a man off. Wisely we kept our distance, but it was great to see.
After Snake River vista point- we proceeded to go towards Yellowstone (definitely the main highlight of our trip, and one all of us were eagerly looking forward to), when we encountered a unpaved road called Deadman's Bar Road. Our wives were thinking we were crazy to venture into such a place, what with its name and all. The road was very short and reached the Snake river's eastern bank. But it was worth it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A GRIZZLY across the river above the slope serenely walking along. To say we were all excited would be a gross understatement. It was our first grizzly sighting and perked us up. Nothing quite like seeing wild out in the open.
Nothing much happened after that and we just drove over on the way to Yellowstone NP, entering from south entrance.
Check into Grant Village, spent some time near the sign that indicated the Continental Divide, cooked and ate dinner called it an early night to be up and early next day. We went to bed buzzing about definitely being early as the info was-- best wildlife sightings during early morning and evenings.
Have to add a departing note about Grant Village (or for that matter any place to stay within Yellowstone NP) -- avoid it. Ridiculously expensive for absolutely nil amenities. At least the other Inns (Mammoth Inn, Roosevelt Lodge, Old Faithful Inn) are gorgeous to look at. Grant Village is a scam.
Split your stay between West Yellowstone (West) and Gardiner (in north). These two are very close by respective entrances (5miles) and you can access most of major points from here. You have lot more options and lot cheaper options.
Yellowstone will follow.........
