May 13, Day 13: You can read the entire blog and view photos on our website. If you enjoy the account, Please . . . share it with your friends. Photos from the trip can be viewed at: http://astilesphotography.com/f390536220 Thanks! The South Entrance was opened this morning, so we got up and departed West Yellowstone around 7:00 AM. Had breakfast at McDonalds, then cruised the Madison and Firehole Rivers without finding any animal activity. Drove on to West Thumb, and through Bridger-Teton Forest towards Moran Junction. Stopped at Colter Bay to have lunch from the cooler and got several landscape photos of the Tetons across the bay. On leaving there and heading for Jackson, we discovered we had just missed a Grizzly sow and her two cubs. Drove on to Moran Junction and took Highway 26 south towards Jackson. Stopped at Oxbow Bend for some shots, and again at Cunningham Cabin. Hoped to find some horses around Triangle X Ranch, but none were in sight. We checked into our rooms at the Motel 6 in Jackson. Bare essentials in these rooms; but we only needed a place to sleep that was dry and had a bathroom. This place fitted our needs just fine, and at about half the price of anywhere else. Discovered The Bunnery was no longer open for dinner, so we at a Mexican place next door. If you are ever there, make sure you allow some time to visit Thomas Mangelsen’s gallery in this same block. He is the best wildlife and nature photographer in my opinion. Stunning photos, all for sale. 144 miles 21 MPG
May 14, Day 14: We left the motel at 5:00 AM to catch the sunrise from Mormon Row. I had to promise everyone we would stop early and return to the motel for them to catch a nap. We drove north on Highway 26, turned off on Antelope Flats Road and were excited to not see many other people at the John Moulton barn. Before we could get out and set up, however, a bus load of tourists pulled up and began disgorging about 50 people at the northernmost barn, the John Moulton Barn. All were Asian, and unlike most Asian tourist we had seen, none had selfie sticks. They all had DSLRs on tripods, and proceeded to follow their guide out to where we had intended to set up. We moved south and set up to shoot the T.A. Moulton barn instead. One from the tour bus followed us; however, he never interfered in any way, was careful to stay out of our shots, and did his own shooting. What a welcome difference from the infuriating selfie-stick crowds! After sunrise, we drove down to Swabacher Landing for reflections in the morning light. From there, I drove back to Jackson to allow everyone to get breakfast at The Bunnery, as a reward for their early morning departure. We then drove back north on Highway 26 and discovered we had just missed another grizzly sow and her two cubs on Pacific Creek Road. Myself and several others thought she might reappear further down the road, but after a couple of hours waiting, we all gave up. We got back to the motel around 3:00 PM and everyone rested up some. 142 miles 25 MPG