The kids were so excited to be at the campsite, they didn’t want to leave. I woke up early—thanks to the chilly air and the excitement of the day ahead—and headed to the lodge for some coffee. When I got back, Annie was up too, so we went to breakfast together. The kids eventually woke up a few hours later and were happy to grab a quick brunch before we all headed to the river to explore, swim, and relax in the hammocks. It felt like our own private slice of heaven.
After washing up, we made our way into the park to explore Mammoth Hot Springs—the last major area we hadn’t yet visited. The drive took about an hour longer than expected due to a traffic jam. We waited forever to find out what was causing the delay, and though we’re not completely sure, it might have been a few dozen buffalo grazing about 300 yards off the road. Honestly, it was the kind of sight folks on the east side of the park wouldn’t slow down for, but on this side—where we’ve seen fewer animals—it must’ve felt more novel to some.
Mammoth did not disappoint. After exploring the springs, we walked through the “town” area, grabbed dinner, treated ourselves to ice cream, and did a bit more exploring. And while I said earlier that the wildlife wasn’t quite as plentiful here, we got a real treat on our way out. We noticed a few cars pulled over and decided to check it out. What we found was a wolf den—with the mother wolf sitting just inside. We've seen wolves in the park before, but this was something truly special.
Today struck a perfect balance between relaxing and exploring—time by the creek and time in the park, unique natural features at Mammoth, and a rare glimpse of wildlife at the den.
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