James:

It is a shame that the government shutdown has put a crimp in your Yellowstone trip. I don't have much optimism for a speedy resolution, but hopefully you will be able to find some hidden gems in the many state parks within a few hours drive from Yellowstone.

Jim

Thanks, Jim.

We definitely hit the state parks south of town. It was a good trip and the closure did not kill our trip - however, a lot of that is state of mind and the fact that we have been going there for years and have a lot of the iconic shots that look...lol, iconic...helps.

I definitely feel badly about the folks working the concessions, the rangers and other vacationers. Also, the town of Jackson, which depends on the tourism, is going to get killed.

We are visiting friends in Salt Lake right now and then hitting the plane tonight at 11:45 for home. I am not ready to go home yet.

James

Lol, well, I am home! We landed this morning at about 6 AM, picked up the car and drove home. It is always a bit discordant coming home, leaving the mountains to come back to the city. Worse, I am moderately anxious that somehow I picked up a cold yesterday. About 30 mins before getting on the plane, I started sneezing. I did not sleep well in the flight home. I have to sit and go through my images.,.well, just upload them.

I shot a surprising number of photos, but most were spent on a Black bear and a grizzly. I hope that some came out!

More to come.