In early September, 1958, my wife, Karen and I, were returning from summer work on the West Coast. We were sleeping in my old Boy Scout era pup tent in Yellowstone Park. At about midnight, Karen woke me: “There must be a bear in the garbage can (just outside our tent)! I was too tired to react. But I reacted quickly when, a few minutes later, we heard the horn of a nearby car breaking the stillness of the night. I had to break the ice that had covered the tent to open it and see what was happening. The noisy car was filled with the parents and children of the tent next door and the lights of the car were shining on a grizzly standing on its hind legs at their wall tent tearing the side of the tent to shreds with its claws! This family had made the mistake of keeping food in the tent. Soon a Park Ranger appeared and encouraged the bear to move on. But it was a night I could never forget.
Sincerely,
Yellowstone National Park
America's first national park is named after the river that runs through it. Within the park's massive boundaries, visitors can find mountains, rivers, lakes, waterfalls and some of the most concentrated geothermal activity in the world. The park has 60% of the world’s geysers, as well as hot springs and mud pots. It is also home to diverse wildlife with the largest concentration of mammals in the Lower 48 states, including grizzly bears, wolves, bison and elk.
State(s): Idaho Montana, Wyoming,
Established: 1872
“My wife and, later, our children as well have enjoyed them ever since our marriage in 1958.”
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