Cincinnati CATC - Nancy - Day 3

Today was awesome! One of the things I was most excited to see were the animals. I saw Elk, various birds, Prong horns, and most of all BISON!!!! I loved the bison!! Everything about them was spectacular!! Their huge size, how they looked from the car, the way they pranced around and even when they were just lying there they looked amazing. The hike to Trout Lake wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. It was pretty calm and not too “rough”. I loved the view once we got there. J The discussion we had while there was also pretty cool because at first I didn’t really understand the big deal the bison and wolves were involved in but once we actually put ourselves in their shoes (ranchers) I understood better. I hope we continue to talk more about issues involving Yellowstone and its inhabitants. I’m so ready for our big hike tomorrow. :)

Cincinnati CATC - Wisdom - Day 3

I had to wake up at 5 in the morning to make breakfast. They had taken our cell phones when it was lights out, so I was relying on my roommate to wake me up. Her phone made a noise, but then she turned it off, so I thought someone had texted her, but deep down there was the possibility that it was the alarm. So I end up getting up late, and I get scolded by our mentor, I felt really bad because I left her to cook, but I felt better after we hugged and I apologized.

Today was our nature day, which means we get to go out and see the wild life, so I was really excited because I thought I was going to see a bear or maybe even some wolves or coyotes. Sadly we only saw white tailed deer, a lot of female and baby elks, and about hundreds of bison. Oh yeah and some hawks and eagles. We actually heard coyotes in the distance when we were looking at birds, they were howling or something like that. It was pretty cool.

Later on, we hiked up another hill (not as steep as the first one) to get to Trout Lake, it was so breath-taking, it was like something you see in a movie, and it was the perfect time of the day too, because the mountains behind it were beautifully reflected in the water. We stopped there and ate lunch, then we did an activity about bison and whether we should let them free outside of the park, or keep them inside, but we split up into groups and it was from different perspectives. I couldn’t really enjoy the time that much, since I have a killer headache, but I pushed through, and it was worth it, I’m actually proud of myself.

Cincinnati CATC - Tacora - Day 3

Today we hiked to Trout Lake and it was hard for me to breathe but I made it and did it. I was a little crappy this morning but after we hiked and made it there I was cool. When we got there we had this activity and were debating on if we should keep the bison in the park or let them roam around. My team decided to keep the bison in the park so the environment would be safe and clean. Our team didn’t want the people outside the park to be hurt and take over our city. If we let the bison roam I can’t eat my chicken and if I can’t eat my chicken I won’t be happy because I love chicken. Well I had fun today a little tired but ok time to sleep.

Cincinnati CATC - Jhamar - Day 3

I have not one word to describe all the wildlife I saw today, things I’ve never seen in person but only on posters and the National Geographic Channel (one of my favorite channels). It was cool to see the THUNDERBEAST!!!(Bison) charge across the road in huge groups. Oh yea Pip and I were the first to spot a Red Tailed Hawk this morning coolin not very far from its nest. I also learned from our guide (Jess, the best in the whooooole park!!!) about the disease Bison Brucellosis which kills the calf in the womb and is very contagious to cattle in the nearby area. The hike to Trout Lake was GRRRRRRREAT. I am soooooo ready for our hike to the summit of Bunsen Peak in the morning and will help those who need help on our journey up.

Cincinnati CATC - Khaliyah - Day 3

Today was great! I had a good time at the lake and the hike is exactly what we needed, it prepared us for the awesome mountain hike we will encounter tomorrow. We saw bison, elk and deer today. They were all so cool looking. We also had a debate with our fellow peers about the bison disease problem and I thought it was great. I felt that my group (ranchers) made a very good argument, so did the other groups. I am looking forward to the hike for tomorrow and hope everyone enjoy this experience as much as I think I will.

Cincinnati CATC - Lauren - Day 3

A different perspective... I was hiking up to Trout Lake today in the wonderful Yellowstone National Park and everything was just so perfect. It was by far my favorite place. 

As I was walking I saw a fallen tree and with the help of my camera I wanted to capture the tree from a view point that would show more than just a slowly decaying hunk of wood. So I did; my point? I wanted everyone to see it from a different perspective, because you’ll find that everything is beautiful in its own way. So unique and special, sometimes you just go to look a little harder.