Speak Up Saturday
Patricia Franklin
A couple of years ago our grown family members reminded us we never got to take family vacations when they were little, as we had a business and were always working. So we decided it was time. We coordinated our vacation time and decided to make it a trip to Yellowstone where most of us had never been. We took two cars and off we went.
On our first day into the park, I realized that wherever there was a group of cars stopped there was usually wildlife to see nearby. After a couple of stops behind umpteen cars, we barely got to see anything. Then we were driving along, rounded a curve and saw a group of cars and people standing by the side of the road. We were able to pull off the side of the road and stop.
So we all got out of our cars. I followed my son and said, “Let’s go up to the front of the crowd, as I am too short to ever see anything.” So there we were at the front of a crowd, close to a steep ravine and about 50 feet from the edge. Suddenly a park ranger, who was in the middle of the road to our left, and on the curve of the road directing traffic, started yelling, “Get back in your cars! Everyone back in your cars now!” Well, I did not see anything, but knew something was coming, and I was bound and determined I was not going to miss it this time. So I stayed where I was and actually took a couple of steps forward. Suddenly I saw directly in front of me a grizzly head pop up over the ravine. At that point, I quickly turned around and…. I was the only one there! Everyone had already made it back to their cars. I hightailed it as fast as I could, dodging between cars to get back inside our vehicle before I ever looked back.
In the meantime, my daughter was out on the road near the park ranger and could see what was coming up the ravine. She was in a safe place and close to their car, so she focused in on the bear family. As she brought the image in closer, she saw Mama Grizzly followed by her two small cubs, and at the top of the ravine there I was waiting for them to come over the top. She screamed at me, nearly losing the camera, but did manage to get the two babies and part of the mama bear in the picture (enclosed). After we were all safe and the bears had crossed the road she snapped two more pictures you see here. Mama bear was not concerned about the cars and people all around her that day, but only finding food for her family. I am glad I was not part of that.
It turned out to be a wonderfully exciting trip for all of us, with many adventures, and we were rewarded with the beauty of nature in all its wonders.
Old Things R New 