Yellowstone and A Bear Story

This is my third and final post about Yellowstone National Park but today's story has a close encounter with bears.

On our final day trip to Yellowstone, we entered at West Yellowstone and headed to the northern area of Mammoth. (I didn't take this picture but it is gorgeous). Bet it makes you want to visit Mammoth!

Mammoth is the headquarters of the park and has some of the oldest buildings.

Mammoth Hot Springs are the main attraction of the area. These features are very different than the thermal areas elsewhere in the park. The hot water rises through the limestone, large quantities of rock are dissolved by the hot water and a white chalky mineral is deposited on the surface. 

Now, let me back up and tell you what happened on the way to Mammoth. You know in Yellowstone, anytime cars stop on the road, that usually means that a wild animal is somewhere in viewing distance. So everyone stops and gets out of their cars to see what's going on.

We come around a curve and there are two cars stopped ahead of us. So of course, my husband and our friend Jim jump out of the car and start moving forward for a look. As they were walking up, all of a sudden here comes a mamma bear out from the trees on the opposite side of the road. 

Wow, how exciting! My husband said he looked around and she was walking straight for him and Jim) and hubby was in the front. He said they starting backing up plus there were two cubs with mamma. No one wants to mess with a mamma and her cubs, RIGHT? 

Well, the guys were safe and mamma and two cubs walked on across the road. The two cubs climbed up a tree and mamma just meandered around the tree. We did get a few good pictures!!

The story of the bear ended on a bad note for Jim. He tripped and fell off the side of the road, although it was only a short drop off  his foot rolled and fractured a bone in his foot. (It really made for a good story to share with his family and friends in Kentucky.)

We put ice on his foot but he was tough and wouldn't go for an x-ray. Luckily it was our last day and he went to the ER when he returned home. Poor Jim, and their daughter's wedding was only a few weeks away (more on the wedding in another post).

I'll share another scenic photo from northern Yellowstone to leave you with positive thoughts about Yellowstone.

Thanks for stopping by for Yellowstone and A Bear Story - Judy.

Linking to:

Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage

Metamorphosis Monday@ Between Naps on the Porch

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
Outdoor Wednesday at A Southern Daydreamer

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here

Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox

Friday Daydreamin' at R We There Yet Mom

Oh the PLACES I've Been at The Tablescaper
Sunny Simple Sunday at Sunny Simple Life