After that BIG remodel, we were sure looking forward to this vacation and reunion
with so many family members!
And really looking forward to all the nature, beautiful nature
ahead of us!
Of course, the workaholics that we are
had us planning this get away at the last available
minute in order to use up every last second of work we could
squeeze in until we left.
This left us with another major project!
Driving straight through to Yellowstone
without stopping overnight!
We could do it. Only 17 hours of driving and three drivers.
A piece of cake!
And this was a few of us at the end!
Safe and sound, but a bit worn.
We started at 3:30 pm Friday and arrived right
on time to do a bit of shopping and meet up for lunch
before the short drive to the lodgings at 1:30 pm Saturday!
A few shots of the endless road!
Really got to hand it to the car crew! We survived a 7.1 earthquake, dark narrow
highways in the middle of the night, mile after mile of white line fever and driving all night
with almost no coffee ( mile after mile of no place to stop) until Saturday morning;
We found a tiny town
and stopped for the second and final tank of gas (thanks to the hybrid!)
and they had COFFEE!!!
You never saw such happiness!
We arrived a tad early at the lodge, but they kindly let us put our groceries
away and check in to our room.
We had a bit or R&R and shortly many family started arriving!
It was great seeing so many faces, some of which we
hadn't seen for years!
Of course family is not all we came to see!
We were right outside Yellowstone in the Shoshone National forest.
Our first trip into Yellowstone had to include the route to Old Faithful!
But we found the colorful pools behind it so much more
fantastic!
We had more to explore though and we moved on to the
Prismatic Springs,
however, there was an abrupt change in weather!
We were hot and clear at Old Faithful and cold, wet and windy
right up the road! Thank goodness we were prepared!
It really was quite wet, rainy and windy and we had
quite the visual barrier to what could have been quite a different
experience.
We walked through the pools
and you can google it and see what it looks like in better weather,
(all copyrighted photos, so not link)
We especially loved the hot springs flowing into the cold Yellowstone River.
Spectacular!
On another trip into the Park, we ventured through the Hayden
Valley to see the bison
and we saw Bison!!
Once through the Valley we headed up to the Falls and hiked to the
head of the falls
Powerful! Impressive!
So was the steep hike back!
Time for lunch!
Back at the Lodge, we had some pretty impressive dinners
and great fun in the kitchen!
And we spent some time exploring around the lodge
Even took in the sunset one evening with little Huxley and Colt,
and Sohalia photographing them.
One day we went North into the Park to explore the
Bear areas!
Stopped to hike back to Trout Lake looking for those large
trout and there was a rumor of otters!
It was a beautiful hike to the lake, then we stopped for a break
before exploring the lake itself.
there were huge trout in this feeder creek, but I didn't catch them on camera.
The skies looked a bit threatening, so we headed back without an otter sighting.
We saw geese!
And several prairie dogs scampering about!
Taylor spotted what seemed to be a bear paw print!
And I found a fox hole, but no fox.
No sooner did we reach the car when a few rain drops started hitting the
windshield.
On we drove.
It wasn't long before Dorothy spotted a black bear!
And back through Montana we went.
Oh how beautiful that drive was!
We pulled over to catch some mountain sheep, but needed a telescope
to see them. Thankfully, someone had one set up.
Also another bear, seen through binoculars.
And a guide has pulled over with a telescope that gave us
all a wonderful view.
I wish I got more pictures of the Lodge, but I guess I was
just enjoying myself too much!
There were nights by the fire on the deck with a glass of wine
and great conversations.
Those long nights at the bar, a shot of tequila in hand and stimulating talk with
family I rarely get the chance to do this with!
And evenings in the kitchen cleaning up, putting away dishes
and laughing it up with family!
It was a wonderful reunion, full of adventure, gorgeous nature,
plenty of activity, the most terrific food and most of all
the BEST FAMILY!
It was hard to say goodbye
Next, the long ride home!
Stay tuned!
