Travel Log Entry July 27 to 29 Beware....lenghty and photo filled!

Here we are!

The fact that Brooklyn got the most looks, fingers pointing at her, and oohs and aahs is undisputeable. I think it was her hat. The three other kids had a good time, enjoyed almost everything, and love telling anyone who will listen about our trip to
YELLOWSONE!
Where to start. As a brief recap: We spent all of Monday and Tuesday at the park. Monday the Gordons came with us and it hailed on us! We were freezing for a good part of the day, but it stopped and allowed us to see some great stuff. Both Monday and Tuesday nights were spent at the Coltrin's cabin. That was super fun. The kids absolutely ♥ it! We came home Wednesday morning after cleaning up the cabin and packing our things.

I guess that I will just do some bullet type of journaling, as there is lots of stuff I want to remember! None of this is any specific order. Just thoughts to remember and laugh about!

*The stupid nest that stopped traffic just 4 miles into the park caused us to loose more than 2 hours of time. On the way out for the last time, we did see the owner of the nest. A bald eagle. Okay, so cool, but the camera was packed away, as we had figured we had seen and photographed all there was to see over the two days in the park. Here it is...is that a baby bald eagle?? We aren't sure.



*The wait into the park was longer than I thought it would be for a Monday morning. there went 30 minutes.

*After the down pour, which forced us to leave Old Faithful without seeing it go off, we headed off to see some "buffalopes" as Landon has lovingly named them. We got stuck waiting in line again! This was due to baby calves and the adult bison crossing the road. They were everywhere! It was awesome.

*One bison in particular was especially noise. Bellering the whole time, he was only a few feet from our car, which was so awesome to see!

*Some of the deer we saw had babies too! Kyle was heard to say, "There's Bambi."

*The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone can not be described in word and a photo just doesn't do it justice. It was Kyle's favorite part.

*The fumaroles are what amaze me. I couldn't get over constantly seeing steam rising from the horizon as we drove. The tall lodge pole pine trees aren't very pretty individually, but collectively are what make that place so foresty! I loved it.

*The hike to see the mud and paint pots wasn't too bad (2/3 mile round trip). But this is where the sun got to Brooklyn.

*The boiling water and bubbling mud were so amazing. We laughed about how this must be how the earth burps and farts. We talked about how the earth is a living thing and how great God's creations are. The view was a.maz.ing!

*The kids slept for a while on day two, and while they did we saw a Moose. We didn't stop as we decided their naps were more important.

*Old Faithful was pretty great, and we loved having ice cream there too. (Not nearly as good as Sub Zero's though! and nearly cost the same.)

*Brooklyn wasn't a happy camper for a good portion of each day. I am not sure if the altitudes (7500-8500 alt.) bothered her ears or what, but she fussed and full out cried a lot. And that part sucked. But we managed, and when she wasn't crying, she was totally a happy baby. So who knows what her deal was. She spent most of her time on my lap. Which if we are talking about seat belts, the kids weren't either for a good portion of the driving either. Slow traffic and lots of stops. (I can just hear my sister screaming at me...)

*Taking the strollers was a great idea. We only had to tackle major stairs twice.

*Next time we will spend more time at Norris and Mammoth.

*Next time we will take twice the amount of water and clothes for all types of weather.

*Having friends for one day to talk with and alone one day as a family was PERFECT.

*I wish that we could have learned more about the park in the visitor centers. I was totally interested in why things were the way they were. The VC we did go to, was very good, and I walked away knowing more about calderas, fumaroles, geysers, and mud pots.

*I thought on several occasions that minus the road, what we saw is just what the early pioneers, mountain men, trappers, Indians, and other explorers saw back in the 1700-1800s. I thought that it's truly amazing that Yellowstone was the worlds first National park and was made such in 1872.

*The people were just as fascinating as the sights sometimes. We saw license plates from all around the states and heard many different languages being spoken. It made me feel a bit guilty for not taking more advantage of such a treasure in my "own back yard".

*Landon peed in the trees more than any other 4 year old. That kid liked it I think. Plus he ate more candy than any of us. Stinker. Landon also was an easy going travelor and explorer. He loved the sticks and pine cones and anything else he could get his hands on. He was a good boy for almost the entire trip.

*Catelyn tried to sleep at one point in the stroller. We must have really worn her out! She was a good example as she kept up with us and obeyed really well. She is so fun to travel with as she is interested in what we are doing, wants to participate and so far, doesn't complain about being with us a family.

*Jocelyn was so easy going the whole time. She seemed so happy and content to do whatever...nap, eat, watch out the window, climb the stairs, sit in the stroller. She is such a great kid. She entertained hundreds with her singing "What do you do with a scurrvy pie-rit..." (just that one line, repeated 1000x)

*Taking out the trash from the cabin was *interesting*.

Okay here we go for some photos!

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and
Bambi and her Mom

Boiling Mud Pots

The View from the Paintpots.

Old Faithful before and as she blows!

Kyle and I really did enjoy the time to talk and visit in the car, the beautiful drive and scenery, and spending time together as a family. It's what life is all about!

The wild west as it is, or was.

Can't get over the wonder of the steam.

Firehole Falls

I took about 140 photos over the two days we went, and that is more than enough. I am also sure that I have more to write about, but I can't think of anything else to add right now.
Thanks Paul and Nancy for the cabin!
Thanks Camille and Mike for coming with us!
We ♥ Yellowstone!!!
We are thankful that Heavenly Father gave us such
a beautiful world.