Yellowstone to the Tetons, heading home, Epic Yellowstone 2013

Epic Yellowstone 2013

Definitely the big wildlife find of the day, and maybe the trip!  We learned that moose eat this particular willow plant that burned in the Yellowstone fire, so you rarely see moose there-they all moved to the Tetons.

Time to head home.  So sad!  the tent and tarp were there...

Reminders that there was a huge fire in Yellowstone 25 years ago.

some hills are a little bare

some stands of trees are dead but not yet fallen over

and some areas have grown back.  You can tell because all the trees are the same height, making it look more like a commercial forest.  We didn't stop to see anything specific on the way out, because we were on our way to the Tetons!

Of course the Tetons are amazing

and then put those mountains in front of lakes-holy cow that is nice.  We didn't stop for any hikes but we did eat lunch in front of this amazing view.  And of course in the parking lot we saw the ladies who have built a business by attaching rhinestones and flashy bits to motorcycle helmets.  They were selling it pretty well to the folks who stopped and asked :)

Just a little ways down the road there was a crowd of parked cars, everyone down near the stream

because of MOOSE!  Not just one, but a family

mama and calf

dad.  

Eventually they moved across the river to the meadow on the other side.  The rest of the trip home was mostly uneventful.  Except for the Flying J just outside of Salt Lake City (right near the refineries, which is why it smells) where the gang of five raccoons hang out in the parking lot.

Take a moment to remember the fun food of the trip

Campfire breakfast is pretty much the best thing ever.  Pizza and ice cream in West Yellowstone.  Ice cream near Old Faithful.  Huckleberry ice cream in the freezer.  Did I mention the ice cream?

And finally, a tribute to our great travelling companion, only slightly damaged.  Always pack a roll of duct tape!  Remember how easy it was to back you into the parking space?  Remember when we were at the water/dump station and that RV ahead took off with a compartment door open and E- had to run after them with his blue hair and his gloved hands waving madly....ah good times, good times....