Yellowstone Day 3

I got up early and was ready to do laundry only to find out that a part was broken in that bathhouse and it was shut down.  I gave up, took a shower in another bathroom and got everyone ready to leave.
Mike and Shannon met us and we were off to see old faithful.  Of course the fourth of July weekend made the roads crowded but that was ok.  After just a short Buffalo Jam, we got to Old Faithful and watched her erupt, looked in the gift shops and ate lunch.  The pictures tell the story much better than I do.

After leaving Old Faithful we drove to the Midway Geyser Basin.  We waited a long time but finally got in and got a parking place.  We all hiked up and around the boardwalk including Ralph because Shannon was determined to push him up the steep places.  So sweet.  We saw the Great Prismatic Spring which was beautiful.   The weather was amazing.  Sunny and 70's.  Having family in such a beautiful setting is a great blessing.  I just thank God for all the wonders we have been enjoying.

After returning to West Yellowstone, we had dinner together at a little restaurant where we ate outside and some of us even played corn hole.  Great food and good conversation.  When dinner was over Mike went to a poker game and the rest of us went to see the new Despicable Me movie at the Imax theater.  When we were done, I think everyone was ready for a good night of sleep.  We sure filled another day.

This couple sure are blessed to have all this adventure in their 50th year of marriage.

Yellowstone Day 2

I am outside in Cody, Wyoming waiting for kids to wake so I will again try to post another day.
On day two in Yellowstone, we were to meet Doug in Mammoth for lunch.  We got on the road expecting to be there in a little over an hour.  Well so much for expecting.  First we had a big buffalo jam on the road which was fine but when we hit the stretch of road going from Norris to Mammoth, it was bad news.  The road is in the process of being totally redone.  That means it is down to dirt and you have to wait and then follow a lead vehicle through at about a 15 mph rate.  Needless to say, we were about 15 minutes late.  We were blessed to find a parking place close to the restaurant because of the handicap sticker.  Doug was waiting and we had a great visit.  We opted for the restaurant instead of the cafeteria, so we had a very nice lunch and it was quiet enough to visit.  As all of you who know Doug know that the conversation was lively.  For me, it was so good to see him.  I think now it is his turn to come to TN.
After lunch, I was getting Ralph to the car while Doug took off with the kids to hike up the long board walk of the Mammoth Hot Springs.  Quite a place.  I had to play catch up but finally very out of breath from the altitude, caught up to all of them about 2/3 of the way up.  We hiked a bit farther and then the three girls took off for the top while Riley, Doug and I talked and took photos.

Our return trip went a bit faster as there was not a Buffalo Jam and we got back to West Yellowstone about the time Mike and Shannon arrived.  We visited for a while and then met for dinner.  After ward it was shopping and ice cream.  Another wonderful day filled with blessings.  Stay tuned and I will keep catching up.

Yellowstone Day 1

I am still catching up but on Wednesday, I let the troops sleep in until 10 and then we left for the park around 11:00 am.  We had not driven long until we saw a big buffalo, a cow elk very near the road and also some ducks down on the river.  Our first stop was a National Park Info center.  As soon as we got down too it, the kids saw an elk just across the river and started running across the meadow for photos.

Our next stop was along the Firehole Canyon Drive.  What a magnificent place.  As you will see, it was a fun stop for the kids as well as beautiful to us.

 We were heading to Old Faithful to see the eruption and have lunch.  We got into a pretty big buffalo jam and it took a while to get there.  As we were looking for a place to park, I saw the big crowds had gathered and so I let the kids jump out and so see the eruption while I tried to park.  Parking was an issue but finally when the eruption was over and people were leaving, I found a place.  The kids were so excited and got some great photos but now there were starving.  We had lunch at the cafeteria.  So so food but good conversation.  The funniest thing that we would find out later, is that Mia ordered a BLT wrap.  She hates bacon and tomato so I guess she ate a lettuce wrap.  They are such fun.  We have laughed so much.
After lunch, it was again gift shop time.  I think some bought a few treasures.   Lucy finds a treasure at every gift shop.

On our way home we were able to see the buffalo crossing the road with all the babies.

Our last stop of the day was Biscuit Basin.  Mia and Isabella were fast asleep and Ralph was tired so Lucy and Riley and I went on the boardwalk.  Amazing thermal features and colors.  Most of these photos, Riley took.

When we got back to town it was time for dinner so it was the Old Town Cafe that we chose.  Isabella really enjoyed her buffalo burger and Riley his steak.

We ended the day with card games and fun.  Stay tuned for more of our travels.  

Finally Arriving in Yellowstone.

We left Jackson Hole around 9 on Tuesday and anticipated a two and a half hour drive to West Yellowstone.  Oh my, that was not what was going to happen.  We turned onto the highway and right
away saw a sign that vehicles over 6000 lbs were banned because of construction.  I called the RV rental company and sure enough we were well over 6000 lb so we had to go with plan B which meant a 3 and a half hour trip.  The first 50 or so miles were amazing.  We drove along the Snake River which ran in a canyon and another river until we reached the flat land of Idaho.  We did add another state for the kids and we saw potatoes growing.  We finally arrived here at 1:00 in the middle of a huge thunderstorm.  Thankfully it was short lived.  At 2:00 they came and brought the rental van and then we had to decide what to do for the rest of the day.  We all decided it was going to be a trip to the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center.  There job is to rescue Grizzlies, wolves and Raptors that have either been injured or causing a problem.  A great place for sure.  Everyone loved it and the rain held off.  Of course every great place has a gift shop so we had to get a few things.

Sam the biggest Grizzly

Bald Eagles

Fun with the gift shop bear.

After the Grizzly center, I dropped the kids off the check out the four blocks of downtown West Yellowstone and I went to do laundry.  There was sure plenty to do.   I fixed some dinner of Spaghetti and meatballs and then we had a few card games before the day was done.  

Again, I am sorry to be behind but I will continue to try to catch up.  Check back.

A Day in Grand Teton

Well, I will once more try to catch up some.  Monday we made it to Grand Teton.  It was a bit crazy as it seems often we have unexpected road work but we finally made it.  We had our first buffalo sightings and then drove to Jenny Lake for the beautiful view that is so famous.  Well, the problem was that we were not able to go to it easily as they were improving the area so we walked about a mile or more to get there.  Great little hike after leaving Ralph behind to watch people at the Visitor Center.  As the kids said, it was worth the walk.  Of course as they went down a steep slope to the lake, there were horse flies that completely freaked them out but made me laugh.  Such fun with these four.

The sun made it hard for Lucy to see.

Riley took most of the photos I am posting today.  He does a great job!!!

Hiking to Jenny Lake.

Just having fun together!!

Not the best shot but Riley hurrying away from the horse flies

Mia Brave enough to stay for the photo

This scene is why we made the hike.  Amazing

After leaving Jenny Lake we drove into Jackson Hole and had dinner which was pizza and pasta

from Pizza Hut delivered right to the door of our camper.  Our campsite was right in town and not really that nice even though it was the most expensive.  After dinner we decided to go into town via the shuttle.  That never happened so we just walked.  We had our photo taken in front of the arch made of elk horns and ate some ice cream and then decided that we were all pretty tired and did not want to walk 1.5 miles home so we would again look for the shuttle.  We never found it so we just walked.  That made a total of 6 miles for all of us.  They sure went to sleep quickly.

I think it is nearly midnight which is my bewitching hour so I will sign off but keep checking back as we continue the adventure.