GSA 2019 Grand Teton & Yellowstone National Parks

Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks have to be two of the best known and popular national parks to visit.  Although we visited Yellowstone last summer, we felt we didn't have enough time to see it properly so it made it back on the list for a visit this summer. Since they are so close together, it's worth it to see them both at the same time.

Yellowstone Bison

This BIG guy was right on the side of the road. See the yellow line? We were in the other lane driving when we saw this bison. He was HUGE!! 

Our new base was Idaho Falls. Our original campground was about 25 miles outside of Idaho Falls. After experiencing sprinklers coating our coach with hard water during the night, we moved to another campground that was near downtown Idaho Falls on the Snake River. When Andy checked in he received the following gift:

My "birthday" snake

He promptly declared this to be an early birthday gift. Most of you know I HATE snakes so you can appreciate the sarcasm in this "gift".  :) 

We did do some exploring along Idaho Falls and walked along the falls and Japanese gardens downtown. Idaho Falls reminds me a lot of the falls in Sioux Falls, SD.

Falls in Idaho Falls 

The Tetons are magnificent. There is nothing like seeing these peaks that rise directly from the prairie. 

Jenny Lake, Grand Teton National Park

A common photo op with cabins in the forefront

Small Episcopal Church in the park - what a view from behind the altar!

Grand Tetons rising above the clouds

View of the Tetons from the top of the Gondola

A side trip we took was to the Jackson Hole Ski area where we took the gondola ride to the top of the mountain (34 degrees at the top). This was the first BEAR sighting of the trip as those on the right side of the gondola were able to see a bear moving up the side of the mountain. (I, alas, was on the left side of the gondola.) 

For my birthday we took an overnight trip to West Yellowstone, stopping at Mesa Falls in Idaho along the way.

Mesa Falls, Idaho 

We purposely visited Yellowstone in the evening, because the animals are more active at night and there is a better chance of seeing wildlife. Anytime something is spotted, there is usually a backup on the road from people stopping. Our first sighting was a moose, although he was too far away to get a decent picture.  Our next sightings were of pronghorn antelope. 

Again, Andy sees a bear but by the time he tells me, we are past it and I have missed it. (In case you're counting, that's Andy bear sightings 2, Jean 0.) But we hit the jackpot with the buffalo. Our best and close up view was the first picture (above). It's amazing how close we were, and just how big an animal they are. Technically, we were closer than park rangers recommend, but we were in the car and just happened upon that big guy walking along side the road. The following morning we also saw buffalo close to the road. and huge herds in meadows.

Another picture of how close they get to the roads 

We also pulled off at a turnoff and this time they were right up close to the parking lot. One gal was no more than 10 feet away from one of them! We choose not to get out at that stop. We also saw deer and bighorn sheep, and maybe an elk (too far away).

On our first trip to Yellowstone, we concentrated on the west loop, seeing Old Faithful and the many geysers on that part of the loop. This time we took the east and south loops and were able to see the Grand Canyon area of the Yellowstone River. 

Yellowstone River Canyon

Mud hole in the park

Yellowstone gets my vote for being one of the most diverse national parks. You can see geysers, hot springs, mountains, rivers, canyons, lakes, and valley's, not to mention all the different types of wildlife. We were disappointed that we didn't see more bears, but maybe we will see some at Glacier National Park when we go there. So far we've been to 8 national parks this summer! Up next, Montana and Glacier National Park. 

GSA 2019 Utah Rocks-Finishing Up the Big 5

Our 2 weeks in Moab were full as we finished up the Big 5 (as they are referred to) of national parks in Utah.

My T-shirt of the Big 5 

The Big 5 are Bryce, Zion, Capitol Reef, Arches & Canyonlands National Parks. As someone commented to me, they are all rock based, but they are unique in their own ways.  On the way to Moab, we did the Scenic Hwy 12 route through central Utah, which took us through Capitol Reef. The drive was beautiful. We were a bit worried because there were two tunnels to go through, both labeled at 13'6". (That is very close to the height of our RV.) We made it through both of them without any trouble. :) Hwy. 12 is narrow (no shoulder) and at times I made the comment "keep your eyes on the road" because the drop offs were severe. 

After arriving in Moab, we set out for Arches National  Park first. 

Balanced Rock, Arches National Park

Rock Formations

Another view of Balanced Rock

We both thought Canyonlands was stunning. You drive out on a plateau with grassland on both sides of the road, not realizing that anywhere from 200-500 yards from the road are canyons that drop off thousands of feet. I should clarify that we were in the Island in the Sky section of the park. The other two sections are more remote (one accessible by hiking or atv only).

These rival the Grand Canyon!

Mesa Arch, Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands National Park

This is the view you get when you walk up to Mesa Arch and look through to the valley

On the way to Canyonlands, you pass the turn off for Dead Horse Point State Park. We almost didn't go, but decided to see what they had to offer. Again, we weren't disappointed by one of Utah's state parks. According to one legend, the park was once used as a corral for wild horses. Cowboys herded up the horses to the neck of the point. The horses where then corralled. Supposedly the cowboys choose the horses they wanted and left the rest to die of thirst. 

View of the Green River 

Another view 

Is he or isn't he on the edge? 

We also did another UTV trip with friends James and Connie R. while in Moab. This ride went up steep stretches of rocks known as slickrock. We also saw dinosaur remains. 

Our tour guide took this picture 

We also met Robert and Deborah L., fellow Tiffin owners who were also heading to the Tiffin rally in Rock Springs, WY. Thanks for reaching out on Facebook, Robert! The Tiffin rally was fun and we had a chance to get caught up on some of our annual maintenance needs as well as hang out with other Tiffin 40 IH owners and swap stories. 

Next up are two more national parks, Grand Teton and Yellowstone, the 7th and 8th national parks of the season.