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 Yellowstone Sand Verbena. 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 hydrothermal 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.