Yellowstone vacations are a great way to observe wildlife up close. If you choose to drive through the park you might miss some of the smaller animals that call Yellowstone National Park home. But a drive through the park just might be the best way to see some of the larger mammals almost any time of the day or year.

One of the highlights of Yellowstone vacations is seeing the large herds of bison. Bison are often seen grazing in the meadows along the roadway. The bison is the largest land mammal in all of North America. They have occupied Yellowstone National Park continuously since prehistoric times. Males can weigh up to 2000 pounds, while the females range up to 1000 pounds. They are fast creatures for their size and can run as fast as 30 miles an hour. They can also change direction very quickly, so never approach these animals on foot. They are best observed from the safety of your vehicle.

Yellowstone vacations are also great for viewing elk. More than 30,000 elk make up the seven or eight herds that summer in the park. Elk are the second largest of the deer family, and males can weigh up to 700 pounds and females about 500 pounds. Adult males, also called bulls, grow antlers each year, which may have from six to eight points on each side and can weigh more than 30 pounds. Bulls use these antlers during the mating season, called the rut, to fight for the right to mate with the females in the autumn. Bulls can be heard for miles “bugling” to attract females. This love call is more of a high-pitched whistle than a bugle, but the ladies seem to like it.

One of the most popular animals seen on Yellowstone vacations is the moose. Moose are the largest of the deer family. Males, also called bulls, weigh up to 1300 pounds and females, also called cows, may weigh up to 800 pounds. Bulls have impressive palmate antlers which are shed annually. Moose have always been rare in Yellowstone. In the late 1980s only about 1000 moose were estimated to live in the park. Moose feed on willow during spring and summer, and move to mature stands of subalpine fir and Douglas fir during the winter months. Moose also like to browse in stands of gooseberry and buffalo berry bushes.

Yellowstone vacations can introduce you to one of the most elusive, and perhaps most controversial, of all creatures that live in the park. The wolf is the largest member of the canine family and is the ancestor of the domestic dog. The gray wolf is about the same size as a German shepherd and weighs anywhere from 55 to 130 pounds. The color of a gray wolf can range from gray to all black or all white. Wolves prey on elk, deer, moose, beaver, rabbits, and other small prey. They are also known scavengers and eat other animals that have died from other causes. The gray wolf is known to have occupied Yellowstone National Park nearly 1000 years ago, but was hunted to extinction by 1930. Many were killed by ranchers for attacking livestock. In 1995 the gray wolf was reintroduced into the park. Fourteen wolves were brought from Canada and traced by radio collar. By 2003, their number had increased to nearly 300. The park population count for 2008 showed 124 wolves, although this number may be much higher. Wolves are secretive, so you might not see one, but if you visit the park in the early morning or evening you might hear them howling and yipping.

Many people enjoy Yellowstone vacations because of the opportunities to observe wildlife up close. The park is home to many large North American mammals, such as bison, elk, moose, and gray wolves. These magnificent animals can often be seen from the roadway, making a drive through the park a thrilling experience for the whole family. Joe Dockter http://yelowstonevacations.blogspot.com http://rockymountainvacation.blogspot.com

Aside from deciding where to stay on Yellowstone vacations, deciding whether to eat in or eat out can be the hardest for many people to make. Only in Yellowstone, dining in means eating at one of the many restaurants in the area and dining out means cooking your own meal over a campfire.

Campfire cooking seems simple enough. After all, isnt it just like grilling in your own backyard? Experienced campers understand the logistics of planning a weeks worth of meals, shopping, prepping, cooking, and cleaning up. You want nourishing meals, comfort food, easy preparation, and easy clean up. One trick that works for many folks cooking their own meals on their Yellowstone vacations is to pre-prep as much as possible. Freeze what you can ahead of time, like pre-made hamburger patties.

Clean, chop, or dice your vegetables and store in plastic bags or containers. Keeping packages in zippered bags can keep out the water from melting ice. Some canned items are always nice to have along. Baked beans always taste good with a grilled burger or hot dog. Breakfast cereals and a quart of milk make for a quick, easy breakfast, but try an omelet made in a plastic bag and cooked in just a few minutes in boiling water. Kids love making these! Dont forget to bring beverages. Water is best, especially in higher altitudes. Dehydration can set in quickly if youre not careful. Remember the old Boy Scout rule and drink before you get thirsty, then take a drink, and then take another drink.

Some people like to do as little cooking as possible while taking their Yellowstone vacations. They prefer to visit outdoor stores that specialize in camping equipment and supplies. There they find a wide variety of pre-made and freeze-dried foods. Most require water for preparation and some degree of heat. A word of advice is to try a few varieties before you decide to use them exclusively.

Yellowstone vacations can be fun and relaxing, especially in the evenings around the campfire, full from a yummy stew or burger, some fruit, and maybe some Smores. But smart campers are always careful to clean up their campsite completely and to store leftover food in secure containers well away from camp. Bears can be a problem, even in the campgrounds. Nothing is more tempting to a bear then a readily accessible pile of trash left from the evenings meal. Check with park staff to learn how you can bear proof your campsite.

Some moms especially dont like the idea of cooking at all on their Yellowstone vacations, so they are interested in what types of dining is available for their families near the park. The sky is the limit in the communities surrounding Yellowstone National Park when it comes to dining. Many quick service cafes specialize in home cooked meals with hearty breakfasts, filling lunches, and the comfort food we all love.

There are more upscale restaurants and grilles in the area than you might imagine, and they have some exquisite menus. Here meals are prepared by chefs who offer the bounty of the land in ways you might never have imagined. How about grilled salmon with huckleberry chutney, served with asparagus and roasted red potatoes? Or how about elk medallions drizzled with rosemary cabernet sauce, served with wild rice and seasoned fresh baby vegetables? Follow up with bread pudding with vanilla cream sauce or a lemon sorbet with fresh huckleberries. Try several of the local communities, lodges, and hotels for the widest selection when dining. Theres plenty for every taste and every budget.

Yellowstone vacations are a great time to try a little of dining in and dining out. A quick breakfast before that hike up to the lake to fish is an ideal way to start the day. That beautiful trout makes a tasty lunch before trying that new hiking trail. And a gourmet meal in town is a perfect way to end any day. See, you can have it all on your Yellowstone vacation. Joe Dockter http://yellowstonevacations.blogspot.com http://rockymountainvacation.blogspot.com