Weekend at Yellowstone National Park: We went for a 4 day 3 night stay at Yellowstone and it was AMAZING! We camped at Grant Campground which is close to the southern entrance and the closest to Utah. I spent a couple hours planning out where we should go and what we should see and it turned out to be a great trip.
Animals: Nate's biggest priority was the wildlife so we woke up early (5:00 and 4:30) on Friday and Saturday to drive to Hayden and Lamar valleys. The early wake up time was worth it because we saw the majority of the animals on the drive out to the valleys.
1st bear we saw across the river
In Lamar valley there were TONS of bison and they got very close to the car. I really liked seeing all the babies, and we even saw 2 big bulls fighting
Bison were the most plentiful but it never got old seeing them up close!
We saw bear #2 on the drive out to Lamar Valley right by our car on the side of the road
Nate's big Bull Elk, very early as you can tell from the lack of sun. We actually saw him twice, the first day he was laying down in the trees and I saw him as we drove by. The next morning he was walking along the road for a while and walked right in front of the car!
The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone: Friday after driving through Hayden Valley we went out to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and took a couple short hikes to see the waterfalls (lower and upper) from several vantage points. My favorite was the brink of Lower falls, looking right over the falls took my breath away and made my heart pound a little it was so high!
Cousins at the Falls
Blain loved scaring me trying to climb up the wall to get a better look
Nature Baby - I think this one was Upper Falls
The first overlook - Nate noticed the platform right next to the falls so we decided to keep going and find the "brink" which turned out to be really cool
Avenlea looking out over lower falls
Family Pic with Lower Falls in the background - I love how Chloe and Avenlea are looking at eachother
Mud Volcano: We stopped by the mud volcanoes on our way back to camp after the Grand Canyon. It was a little smelly but the bubbling mud was cool and we saw a Bison take a dust bath, walk on the path in front of us, and then swim across the river.
Chloe and the Bison
Witch's Caldron
Old Faithful: We returned to camp for naps and lunch then headed back out to see Old Faithful. We rushed and got there about 10 minutes before the eruption which was SO AMAZING. It shoots out a couple little sprays beforehand so we were ready and didn't miss it. After the first eruption we played in the trees, walked around to see the rest of the geyser basin, then sat on a little bridge for a front row view of a second eruption.
Blain getting carried like a king
Avenlea and Mommy waiting in the shady trees - the only downside was the heat walking and waiting for the guyser
Camp: Our family and Sam, Grammy and Papa Vern with James, Milly and Kennady, and Melissa and her kids combined resources and did meals and fires together. We switched sites around a little bit so Vern could be close to the bathroom and the kids could have a little patch of trees to play in and things worked out great.
Nate and Grammy making the taco meat - the temperature took a little trial and error but everything turned out pretty good!
Sam sharing his head lamp with Blain. Blain was SO excited for dark because he knew uncle Sammy would put the head light on his little head - Blain also had a dry pull up the whole time (even for naps and night time) with no accidents! Good job my little potty trainer!!
Swinging on the hammock - all the kids loved playing in here
Sam was such a big help with the kids, even putting Avenlea to bed on Saturday - I think he was as happy about it as I was :). He drove all the way in his own truck so we could pack fire wood, the griddle, big cooler of drinks, and roll up mattresses. His truck also served as the food storage vehicle because with all the bears around you can't leave anything outside when it's not in immediate use. THANK YOU Sam for all your help and for being such a good Uncle!
Mammoth Hot Springs and Tower Falls: Saturday after the drive through Lamar Valley we headed for the Hot Springs and Tower Falls. Both were really interesting and beautiful. The landscape was much for mountainous and the drive between attractions was a little long for us but it was definitely worth doing. We also stopped at the petified tree and did a small hike to Wraith Falls which was unique and a nice short hike.
Sleeping on the 2 hour drive
Family Pic in front of the Devils Thumb at the Hot Springs
Cutie Kids
Little Avenlea asleep in the carrier... Gets 'em every time :)
Daddy and Avenlea at the top of the hot springs
Chloe and Blain asked for water from "the blue" (the camel pack) about every 4 minutes along the way. A good way to get them to drink!
Tricks by Tower Falls
Love my boys
Grand Prismatic Spring: The last stop before heading back to camp for the day was a beautiful spring that had AMAZING colors. Chloe and Blain were both napping so they missed this one but it was so beautiful I'm sure we'll go back. Close by we also did a fire loop that had another blue pool and some cool active geysers and big smoke stacks. There is also a warm river that I want to swim in next time in this area.
Me and my baby sweetheart - Nate and I are both in awe over Yellowstone and would REALLY love to go back in a year or two
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