Kelsey is a freelance writer based in Southern Virginia. She enjoys traveling with her family to destinations from national parks to amusement parks and loves sharing tips and stories from along the way.
Move over, Hollywood, because @touronsofyellowstone has a new blockbuster.
The @touronsofyellowstone Instagram account shares the entertaining and dangerous actions of tourons (that’s tourist + moron) who just can’t seem to follow park safety rules.
This edition of “Wow, these people really exist” comes from Estes Park, Colorado. What’s the attraction, you ask? Well, it’s not the stunning Rocky Mountains or the picturesque landscapes; it’s the heart-stopping drama of a bull elk charging toward an unsuspecting carload of visitors.
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In the video, a family of clueless adventurers encounters a bull elk who’s in full-on “I’m looking for love” mode, or as they call it in the animal kingdom, the “rut.” The rut is nature’s way of saying, “I’m single and ready to mingle,” except, in this case, “mingle” might mean “charge at a car full of gawking tourists.”
Our protagonists in this epic wildlife interaction are a bickering couple, Jack and his dear wife (we’ll call her “Joan,” because why not?), and their savvy teen who’s recording this sitcom-esque encounter from the backseat.
The video starts with “Joan” shrieking, “Back up, Jack, back up, Jack!” While Jack, the model of calm and composed, retorts, “Oh, be quiet!” It’s heartwarming how he’s keeping the romance alive even when confronted by a one-ton potential crush. Meanwhile, the teenager is having the time of her life, laughing hysterically at her parents’ comedy show, all while recording for the ‘gram.
Now, “Joan” is the kind of park visitor we all admire. She knows that large animals are dangerous, and she’s smart enough to back away when she sees that one might charge.
Jack, on the other hand, is a man who believes that reasoning with a bull elk is more important than heeding his wife’s cries for safety. He even goes as far as to have a heart-to-heart with the elk, saying, “Don’t you hit this vehicle!” It’s like he’s auditioning for a role in the next Disney Pixar animal-talking movie.
Thankfully, our heroes escape unscathed as Jack finally takes action and retreats. But the real hero of this story is, of course, the bull elk, who decided not to turn their car into an impromptu scratching post. Kudos to the elk for practicing remarkable self-restraint.
The @touronsofyellowstone Instagram account has given us a glimpse into the wild world of tourists behaving badly, especially when it comes to risky situations like getting cozy with wildlife. For those planning a visit to elk country, let’s remember to keep a safe distance from these magnificent creatures during the rutting season, and definitely refrain from engaging in heated debates with them.
In the end, the video serves as a delightful reminder that Mother Nature isn’t the kind of lady you want to play footsie with. And Jack, well, he learned that backing up isn’t just for car transmissions; it’s also for the sake of marital bliss. So, let’s give them a round of applause, folks, for showing us the lengths people will go to capture that perfect “wild” selfie. Bravo!
Video originally posted on @touronsofyellowstone