Did you know? Teton translates to “breast”. So we are heading into the “Grand ____” (insert your own colloquial term) today. It really is a beautiful sight with a fault creating the separation of mountain and fields. 

The Tetons have not disappointed…a hike around Moose Lake revealed TWO moose and a calliope hummingbird (the smallest one in the US)! It had to be summoned by our Moose song that we chanted on the way in. 

Martin the Moose wandered off, but Bullwinkle decided he definitely IS the most majestic creature out here and moseyed to the water to not only get a snack from the bottom of the pond, but also give us his best “bend and snap”. 

An enlightening and emotional visit at the Mardy and Olaus Murie House taught us about the beginning of the Wilderness Act and how ANWR came to be. We were in awe of the fact that we have never heard of this great individual that made the preservation of millions of acres in Alaska possible. There is something to be said about being in the space where someone lived and you see their books, handmade quotes, artwork as you ponder how they were able to accomplish so very much. Listening to John Denver pay tribute to Mardy brought tears to our eyes. A walk to the Snake River, dipping our heads in cold waters, and a moose dance has us all feeling nostalgic and inspired to educate and protect the natural world around us. 

On that note get up on your feet and chant with us. You make your own moves, but spread your fingers and hold your hands by your head whenever you say moose. 

🎶 He was great big moose 

Who likes drink a lot of juice,

He drinks his juice with care,

He got some in his hair,

Now he’s sticky everywhere,

He’s a great big moose,

On the loooooooooosssseee!🎶

We started the day with a wonderful buffet style breakfast at the historic Lake Hotel, overlooking Yellowstone Lake.

Afterwards, we hiked on the shores of Yellowstone Lake, taking time to journal and absorb our surroundings. We observed several species of ducks, White Pelicans, Wilson’s Snipe, and Sandhill Cranes. During this time, we saw and learned about the Yellowing Sand Verbina. This plant species is endemic to the park, only found on the shores of this very lake. It is thought to survive the alpine conditions due to geothermal heating from the hydrothermic features in and around the lake. It is highly protected so if you see it- observe from a distance. 

Shortly after our morning walk on the lake, we went to talk with some park rangers about invasive aquatic species in Yellowstone. They talked to use about the importance of cleaning and drying the boats as they enter the park to prevent the further spread of things like zebra mussels and golden mussels. When we were done we went to play in some water to check for some frogs. We found a boreal chorus frog and a Columbia spotted frog. We also found a surprise, a western tiger salamander!!! (This is especially exciting as they are the only species of salamander found here, compared to the North Carolina salamander hot spot we are used to).

This afternoon, we visited the West Thumb Geyser Basin, Continental Divide, Old Faithful, and the Grand Prismatic. The thermal hot springs of the Geyser Basin were incredible. We saw dark teal-blue pools of water becoming yellow, burnt orange, and brown as water flowed over the light tan crust and into Yellowstone Lake. Using a laser thermometer from a safe distance, we observed a temperature range between 81.5-151 degrees Fahrenheit in these bodies of water. We also saw two snakes, which is rare in Yellowstone. As we left the Geyser Basin, we made our way to the Continental Divide, where Isa Lake sends water towards the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. We got to experience an Old Faithful eruption with “thousands of our closest friends”, as Melissa would say.  To end our day with a gorgeous overlook of Grand Prismatic and an expert topic on bioprospecting from Jacob.

5 AM came quickly! We grabbed our bags and hit the road, leaving Mammoth behind. Eagle eyes were definitely needed today at our first adventure to spot the wolves with Jack the wolf Biologist near Lamar Valley. We climbed Cardiac Hill which makes your heart beat so loud, you had to stop so you could hear the ravens chatting. Jack zoned in on 8 wolves of Junction Butte mingling on Jasper Bench amongst the bison and shared fascinating videos of trail cams so we could see the cougars too. 

Our Bald and Golden Eagle expert represented her creatures well as she spotted a mama bear and her cubs chillin under a tree. Watching the cubs climb to safety as mama chased off a coyote stopped traffic for miles. We tried to pretend we were just eating our lunch but the secret was out.  Pro tip: if you see folks on a hill and pointing – stop the car and grab your binoculars so you don’t miss something amazing! Remember – ALL 4 tires off the road!

Melissa treated us to a short talk with Rick McIntyre, one of the legends for the Wolf reintroduction to Yellowstone. Those of us that didn’t finish American Wolf now have a calm voice in our head and a vivid scene in our mind when we return to finish the tales of the O.G. wolves. Many of us cried as he recalled the love and legacy of 21 and 42, the alpha male and female wolves that have given rise to the current day packs.

We have now relocated to Roosevelt Lodge for a couple of nights (no cell service for most and no WiFi) After a quick dinner at the Lodge, we went out for a bird sighting and were not disappointed. A few ducks, a red tail hawk nest, goldeneyes, one coyote, and a bison jam to boot brought our day to a close. See ya tomorrow! 

We started our day off with a walk around Mammoth Terraces, where hot springs were creating small puddles of water and mini waterfalls along the travertine rocks. Small rills were forming in the soft travertine that are similar to columns and stalactites in a cave.

We measured the water temperature from a safe distance with an infrared thermometer, and recorded values of 170 degrees Fahrenheit. For reference, hot tubs are typically around 102-107 degrees Fahrenheit. Although it’s tempting, one should never touch this water, because it would lead to severe skin burns and even death.

During this hike, we found a beautiful, light-blue, bubbling puddle of water near the Narrow Gauge Terrace to inspire us while nature journaling. We observed an elk grazing and a mule-deer nursing two speckled fawns. We also practiced identifying Douglas fir trees, Rocky Mountain junipers, and limber pines. Mammoth Terraces are a must-see for anyone interested in geology or biology, and we all left the hike feeling energized for our next adventure.

A poem from the terraces:

A rock like hot snow, deposited by water’s flow.

Thermophilic critters coat the bank, elk tracks in the soft rock sank.

Mysterious terrace of heat and slime, shifting and changing throughout time.

Rolling hills all around, flora and fauna still abound.

A timeless yet fleeting world, from Earth’s depths is hurled.

After lunch we headed out with Ranger Avery from the park’s education department to do a pika survey. After scrambling over and around massive rocks, we spotted one pika on the trail and counted several more when we heard their “eep” calls!

On our evening wildlife watching drive to Cooke City we observed large herds of bison cows with their rusty-colored calves along the river. We ate amazing pizza at Miners Saloon and headed back towards Mammoth. On the way, we were stopped by bison crossing the road and were able to observe two speckled, juvenile bald eagles. We also saw nature in action as a coyote carried off a dead baby calf the same size as itself for its dinner. 

Content warning: the following clip contains video of a coyote carrying a dead bison calf

We were on our way at 4 this morning, flying out of Raleigh by 6 am. Melissa met the team in Bozeman, MT. After grabbing lunch and supplies we headed to Yellowstone National Park.

On our way we saw osprey, bald eagle, elk, pronghorn and white tail deer. We observed geologic features such as a dike (a place where magma filled a crack in existing rocks and solidified). And we discussed a glacial cirque (or bowl) on Electric Peak.

We stopped for a photo opportunity at the Roosevelt arch. We reflected on John Muir’s quote as it relates to our group:

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”

After checking in we ventured on a walk through an aspen grove and had our first group meeting, where we talked about some of the cares we are leaving behind, what cares we could let drop off behind us.

We also had our first wildlife highlight of the trip: a black bear meandering through a meadow.

After dinner we did a short hike to Wraith Falls. We had an amazing first day!

School is finally out for all of us and now it’s time to make the final preparations for our soon-to-be epic trip to Yellowstone. It’s hard to believe that in a few days we’ll be watching wolves in Lamar Valley and marveling at the geologic wonders of our nation’s first national park.

Trip co-leaders, Greg and Rory, have been busy packing, studying, and finalizing logistics here in Raleigh. Over in Yellowstone, co-leader Melissa is eagerly awaiting our arrival. In the meantime, she’s been scouting out the wildlife activity in the park – such as this recent sighting of a bear on a carcass.

Our Yellowstone Team teachers have been sharing updates with the group about how they’ve been getting ready as well. Whether it’s hitting the trail or practicing their packing skills we’re all excited for the upcoming adventure! Here’s how a few folks have been preparing:

Jacob: Leading up to Yellowstone, I’ll be on a mission trip to Mexico! I’ll get my workouts in slinging cinder blocks to build houses. We will also spend a lot of time journaling, an essential skill for our journey. I’m excited to compare the ecosystems I see in Mexico, back home in North Carolina, and those in Yellowstone itself. 

Anna: My husband and I hit the greenway for an evening walk this week. It was such a beautiful evening that we ended up walking way farther than we intended. Six and a half miles on a paved greenway may not be quite the same as hiking trails at higher elevations, but it was a lovely bit of exercise.

I finally decided to start organizing my packing. That has been the most challenging part for me. I’m thinking about what to bring, what I need to buy, and what to live without all the time. Laying everything out so I could take inventory helped a lot. I realized I bought several items that I don’t need and was able to return those things. I’ve got a short list of things left to pick up, but I’m feeling much more confident that I have what I need.  

As the trip gets closer, I find myself thinking less about the logistics and more about the experience itself. I’ve been reading up on the history of the park and all it’s natural wonders, and every article makes me more excited.

Of course, there are still a few details to finalize, but most of the preparation is behind us now. The exercising, planning, and packing have all helped make the trip feel real. After months of anticipation, I’m looking forward to trading my daily routine for wide-open landscapes, fresh mountain air, and whatever adventures Yellowstone has in store.

Crystal: The countdown is officially on, and I am absolutely bursting with excitement! 🚲 To make sure I’m completely ready for this upcoming adventure, I’ve been hitting the pavement and riding my bike anywhere from 10 to 15 miles a day. But the preparation didn’t stop there—I also tackled my closet and cleared out three whole bags of clothes. The best part? It gave me the perfect excuse to do a little pre-trip shopping for a brand-new wardrobe!

Carrie: I took my family on a hike in the Appalachian Mountains to help prepare for my trip to Yellowstone. My family and I enjoyed playing in the cool water beneath the waterfall and finding critters such as salamanders, mayfly nymphs, and water striders. I look forward to hiking around Yellowstone in search of geysers and wildlife so I can teach my family and students using firsthand experiences.