These will be ideas for you that you probably won't find on the Internet. If you have questions, I will be happy to try to answer them for you.

Yellowstone

Take binoculars!! Ask questions everywhere you go!! Clerks, waitresses, strangers, etc., all may know where the last bear sighting, etc. is that day. Most people that work there will love to tell you things to see. So don't be shy because you'll never see those people again. If you see a group of cars stopped, get out and ask questions. What looks like a black speck in the distance will probably show up as a bear through your scope or good binoculars. If a group of buffalo come walking nonchalantly down the road, pull over and keep your hands in the car even if it is tempting to reach out and touch them as they walk by. But be sure to take it all in, because that's what you came to see.

If you drive in from the south (Jackson Hole), you will see the Grand Tetons on the way, and if you can, plan for an evening stop at Jackson Lake Lodge and go to the bar area. Outside their big windows you can use your binoculars to watch the moose in the distance below coming out to eat in the willows. The restaurant there has good food (great desserts). Check out COULTER BAY, which is close by. You might want to stay there and take a float trip on the Snake River the next morning, which will allow you to see the early morning animals in that area.

When you stop at the entrance to Yellowstone, they will give you the park paper "Yellowstone Today". Be sure you take it and read it. If you have children, sign them up for the Junior Ranger Program. It will keep them looking for things along the way, and they will get a Junior Ranger Badge when they get it filled out from a ranger. I would recommend you not go to the left (Old Faithful) as you enter the park, but rather go to the right towards Yellowstone Lake. Stop at Grant Village on your way, as they have a wonderful Museum about the famous fire years ago. The restaurant there also has great Huckleberry Shakes. They have places for you to camp, but I'll warn you that it can snow an inch on your tent even in July. This is unusual, but anything can happen at Yellowstone. Just ask my grandkids. They'll never forget that camp out. A short distance is LAKE LODGE, beside the famous Lake Hotel right on Yellowstone Lake. The rangers give walks in the mornings and talks in the evening at several places in that area that are well worth your time. Don't miss Fishing Bridge, and its story. If you buy a fishing license, put your line in the lake, and catch lots of Lake Trout, the restaurants will cook them for you. Years ago someone put them in the lake, and now they are taking it over. They grow so big that they are eating the Cutthroat Trout the lake is famous for. Lake Hotel has a lounge in front of the restaurant that is like a big living room facing the lake through large windows. In the evening you can listen to live music, have a drink, and watch the sun go down on the lake. It is spectacular, and anyone can go there. They have tours of the old hotel where President Roosevelt stayed when they used to come in carriages. In that area I've mentioned, you are very close to Hayden Valley, where in the early mornings or late evening you "will" see animals. North of Hayden Valley is CANYON VILLAGE (also close to Hayden Valley). They have a wonderful ranger movie there also, but don't miss the Norris Geyser Basin a short distance west. Don't forget to look up at the sky for eagles and falcons, as well as the river for swans, beaver, etc. That what you came for (scenery and animals), right?

Please don't do like one woman who sat her child on a buffalo walking by because she said they wouldn't have any animals here walking around that would hurt anyone. This is the animal's home. This is their territory, and we need to remember we are just guests. If a ranger says to stay back from a bear, but you want to be closer for a better picture, mind the ranger!! Drive the speed limit!! Many animals are killed each year because of speeders. Again, this is their home, not ours. In other words, be respectful of our National Parks.

The second half will be posted next week. Have a good weekend everyone!          Jeanette