(Yellowstone Trip - June 9 to June 24, 2000 - Part 10)
Monday, June 19, 2000

Notes for today:  "As I sit in our room at Grant Village Lodge, we are having a thunder-snow storm!  We're watching flakes of snow gently falling, seeing lightening bolts flash over the lake, and listening to the thunder peel - all on June 19th!  This is the weirdest place on earth!" 

But I digress . . .
It rained on and off (mostly on) all night, pelting the cabin (at Canyon) loudly enough to wake us several times. We got up surprised to not be sore after conquering Mt. Washburn the previous day.  As beautiful and perfect as the weather was Sunday, it was just the opposite Monday.  It rained or snowed, cleared, then started again all day long. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

We packed up, checked out of Canyon, and decided to do a few of the obligatory north rim observation points of the upper and lower falls before heading for the Hayden Valley to scope a bit.
Several rangers had said that the animals come out and are more visible in the rain. We have decided that the purpose of this statement is to get the tourists out of the visitors centers (and the ranger's hair!) when it's pouring rain!  No critters were out in this morning's rain but ducks, and loony tourists!  We went specifically to the pullout over Alum Creek where a guy last night reported seeing five wolves, probably the Nez Perce pack. But alas, they were not there this morning (they had the good sense to stay out of the rain!).
Wildlife Seen Today:

 

After grabbing a burger at the Fishing Bridge Ham store, we set out on the east entrance road to search for griz.  Everyone has seen a sow and two yearling cubs not far from the park entrance - now, everyone except John and Carol!  All the wildlife we spotted along the whole drive was a couple of mule deer (and of course, the above!).
But we did see some beautiful waterfalls, creeks, and lakes (they can't move around!).  We have not driven out that entrance before, so now we can say that we have driven on all of the paved roads in the park. 
On to Grant Village for a very tasty dinner at the dining room.  John sampled the famous Black Butte Porter.  He didn't like the taste at first, but claimed it improved as he got closer to the bottom of the bottle! (Carol's sip off the top was plenty for her - she didn't give it the opportunity to improve!). The dining room had a lovely view of the snow falling on Lake Yellowstone's West Thumb. We thought about walking down to the lakeshore or even doing the West Thumb geyser basin, but it was just too cold.
Instead we came back to the room to read and write in warmth. Though the lights flickered a time or two, we watched the thunder-snow storm safely tucked away!  However, we were still excited because the next day we were scheduled to meet the famous Funkygeyserman!  We optimistically expected Tuesday's weather to be as perfect as Sunday's - but come rain or shine, we knew it would be great fun!
 
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