The Republican journal., 1915-09-30
Through the Yellowstone Park
An Enjoyable Camping Trip.

and picturesque camping place by the
side of Lower Falls creek, fine rain be-
gan to fall. 1t dampened the ground
but little, and the ardor of the fishermen
not bit. Lower Falls is out of the
beaten track of tourist travel and there
is found what was reputed-and proved
to be the best fishing in the park. By
the time the tents were up the sun was
out again, and most of us followed the
winding little path down the creek side
to get glimpse of the beautiful falls,
ITO feet high, in unique setting of
rock spires that arc unlike any other
lava formation in the park.
Aside from the beautiful setting the
camp at Lower Falls was especially dis
tlngulshed as a bear camp. A curious
old cinnamon bear, much faded as to
shaggy coat, patrolled the opposite side
OF the creek with more or less regular
1ty. Before the tents were up, one of
the ladies retired into a sheltered place
TO change her dusty travelling dress for a
cleaner one before dinner. In the midst
OF the process she glanced up, and who
should be. sharing her retreat but Mr..
bruln. Quite naturally she expressed
her emotions in scream, which started
off the intruder before rescuers arrived.
Others of the party who ventured far
Hfleld had like experiences, and one young
lady succumbed to Mysteries after a
lengthy encounter with bear that per-
sisted In keeping between her and the
camp.
Ut course these were far from being
the hotel bear type. No daily replenish-
ed rubbish heap for these fellows, who
were used to foraging for living. One
had, day or SO previous, ''fshed'
ham out of hot water at the back door
Of the small Shaw and Powell camp
nearby, Possibly that was the rea-
son the drivers were divided into
watches to keep the camp fire going and
look out for the supply wagon. When
supper was nearly over the fishermen
came in laden with splendid strings, and
a report of real sport, differing from the
hshlng IN the previous warmer waters.
The campfire was an especially fine one
that night, and as it was Sunday the
sing started with all the hymns that
everybody knew-and some that they
didn't. Our circle was augmented by
number of Shaw-Powell drivers, friends
of our boys, who seemed to enjoy the
concert.
A leisurely start was made the next
morning, and all had opportunity to see
the falls again. Later we noticed with
interest the odd palisade formation on
the opposite bank of the Yellowstone as
we drove around the fine road, high up
on the cliff side. A feature of the morn
ing was side trip to see the petrified
trees-two stumps about twenty feet
high, standing in their natural position
on the hillside. We passed "Yancys,"
the first CT mp to entertain tourists in
the park, and the Wyhe Camp Roose-
velt," shortly after leaving the falls.
Our noon camp was distinguished as the
last, and number of snap shots of our
rig and passengers, with "Charlie' and
Billie on the drivers seat, were taken.
A small, black bear was persistent
visitor and could hardly wait for US to
leave before venturing down to search
for 'leavings. The afternoon drive
was a pleasant one, through a rolling,
open country. and We saw several bands
Of antelope near enough to be very plain
through Mr.. Schwarz fine glasses. We
were to camp that night on the East
Gardner creek, and had just arrived
there when threatening clouds began to
pile UP. The boys all chopped to" and
got the tents up just as the shower be-
gan. 1t was not heavy, and soon de-
generated into fine drizzle, which kept
up all the evening We were sorry to
miss our planned for farewell campfire,
but felt ourselves lucky to have had such
ideal weather before. Two of the men
who crossed the creek after supper had
the rare experience of seeing beavers at
work, but later visitors were disappoint-
ed-as we'll as wet. The next morning
was dull and cold, and we felt that we
had been most lucky in the choice Of
dates for our trip.
The morning drive was not especially
eventful, but the road lay along the
banks of the Gardiner river and skirted
the side of the Buffalo preserve; but we
did not see any of the former lords of
the plains. AS we neared Gardiner we
saw increasing evidences of a beavv
rain, which assumed cloudburst propor-
tons. Whole mountain sides had been
washed down into the roadway, and men
were at work repairing culverts, and re-
discovering the roadped. We found rea-
son for congratulating our good fortune
that the storm center had not been P
few miles away at our camp for the re-
suits, had it been, were more pleasant to
imagine than to experience.
We arrived in Gardiner in ample time
to make some changes in costume at
Shaw & Powell's hotel, where we had