Firsts

Since we are back at the Park there have been a lot of firsts. We went for our first run and it wasn't particularly fun or easy (two things I usually look for in a run). Along with dealing with the altitude

we had to contend with elk


and a serious hill

The reward for doing 3 miles under these trying conditions was a short time on the river. After picking up a Montana fishing license and some flies, we headed to a spot behind the Gardiner airport. Given that the snow run-off has made the rivers a bit dirty and wild the fishing wasn't exactly perfect, but at least the weather was great.

The first fish of the year was not one of Montana's famed trout, but a mountain whitefish.

Though a native fish, it isn't exactly what I was trying for. Still, it was better than getting skunked on day 1.

As the roads opened on Friday we also made our first trip to the interior of the Park. There is still a lot of snow at places like Old Faithful and Canyon

and there is still ice on many of the ponds and lakes, but the rivers are clear and flowing high and fast.

Our trip gave us a chance to spot our first coyotes of the season

All and all it was a pretty good day, but not seeing any bears served as a reminder that there are still many more firsts to come.