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Day 2 for real

Having seen more unique geological and hydrothermal features than I ever imagined existed the first day, we decided to take a hike the second. We stopped by the south Visitor Center on the way to our hike and learned all about the wildfires during the summer of 1988. It was fascinating!

We then took a short hike to Riddle Lake. The hike was in a bear management area, and the trail had only opened for the season about a week before we were there, so we had high hopes of seeing some wildlife. Alas, all we saw was a deer. But we still had a good time and a nice, stormless picnic by the lake, and spent sometime skipping rocks. I was very out of practice. They mostly sank.
After our hike, we headed south to the Tetons. On the short stretch of road between the two parks, I had to slam on the brakes to narrowly avert hitting a deer. I have never come so close to hitting an animal- literally within inches of it. About 30 feet farther down the road, we passed a sign warning us to watch out for wildlife crossing the road. Yeah, thanks.

In the Tetons, we first stopped at Ox-Bow Bend and walked along the Snake River. We wanted to go farther than the path allowed, which did not work out so well. My legs were covered in mud and itchy from all the plants scraping them. Thankfully, we were by the river and I could wash off. As we walked, we saw a moose coming down to the river to feed. I had earlier told Kate the one thing I wanted to see (aside from a bear, of course), was a moose feeding in the river. My desires were granted- it was the coolest thing!!!

Labels: travel

posted by CP @ 12:44 PM 0 thoughts