Note: Yellowstone does not have access to wi-fi/internet. Its about time they joined the twenty first century! (Especially with all these Asian tourist, who are nothing if not connected). Anyway, without internet access it is not possible to post to one's blog. So I presume these latest entries will be made from the Sun Valley Lodge on Friday night!

WEDNESDAY - Spent all day in the park, mostly exploring the thermal features in the southern end - paint pots, Grand Prismatic Pool (always a favorite), then checked in at Old Faithful Inn, just to make sure our reservaton confirmed, then off to West Thumb, Fishing Bridge, Canyon and the views of the waterfalls. Back to the Inn by 6:00, in time for a showing of Old Faithful, then a wonderful dinner in the dining room: Bison bolognese and Chicken/Pheasant and Bison Sausage, topped of with Yellowstone Calderra chocolate cake (to die for).

Wildlife sightings today included many bison, a bear, and sand hill cranes, mostly in the Hayden valley area. Weather was great - sunny with temps in the high 40s to low 50s. Lots of snow in the higher elevations above 8000 feet.        

THURSDAY - started our day with a ranger-led tour of the OF Inn. Fascinating history! Then headed north to Mammoth Hot Springs and Lamar Valley and on to Tower Fall. We like Mammoth a lot! Great Ice cream, lots of bison and elk right in the village square, just 5 miles from Gardiner, MT, and the famous Roosevelt Arch; hike up to Benson Peak, long boardwalk hikes around the terraces, and on and on!  We took the boardwalk hike around the top of the hot springs, checked out Tower Fall; ....on the way home we hiked around Norris Geyser Basin. BTW, weather was great - partly cloudy temps in the 60s.

Wildlife sightings today included lots more bison (walking obliviously in the road), we counted 8 bison calves in the "herd" at Mammoth (they sure are cute!), sand hill cranes, prong horned antelopes, elk, mule deer, peregrine falcon in a nest, and a moose.

Back to the Inn for late dinner of Bisin Bolognese, Spinach Salad and Roasted Red Pepper/Gouda Soup. After dinner entertainment was a lady playing piano and cello in the main lobby with a night-cap!

We decided we should have a family gathering here for our 50th anniversary!!

Must leave really early in the morning to make it to Sun Valley by 1:00!

FRIDAY - We left Old Faithful at 7:10 and made it to Sun Valley by 1:30! That's 280 miles before lunch! Checked in to the Sun Valley Inn and registered for the Rotary Conference. Looking to meeting Rotary friends, etc.