We made it to Yellowstone National Park and I think we may be getting a lot faster at a) getting out of a hotel b) getting in and out of the car c) getting to our destination. It took us only 3.5 hours to make it the 3 hour trip from Helena!
We did not say goodbye to Montana today as we are staying in West Yellowstone but we did go into Wyoming, an event I will capture on camera tomorrow and pass off as our first entrance. Who will know right?
We stopped on the way to Yellowstone at Earthquake Lake, which was the site of the worst earthquake in the history of the Rocky Mountains. You can see the site of the resulting landslide in the background:
Honestly, it's like herding cats:
The plan this morning was to go straight to the hotel and have a rest day but the weather was so nice when we got to Yellowstone that I insisted we drive into the park. This caused nothing short of mutiny from the backseat with protests along the lines of "the only thing that's fun on this trip are the hotels", "I'm so hungry" and "Are we at the pool yet?"
Like all great explorers, I overruled my crew and made us go anyway. But first I had to feed them and not a picnic lunch either (and they say I'm no fun!):
I would like to think that everyone is grateful we didn't spend the entire afternoon at the hotel pool right?:
Look at that geyser!
We had to leave after seeing Old Faithful so I could take Mike to the airport for his important three day work "meeting" in Salt Lake City.
The West Yellowstone airport is quite something though:
Mike took this picture of the park entrance from the plane:
And the Madison River:
Before I dropped Mike off, we met Aunt Julianne (cousin Heath's mom) at the hotel. She will be joining us for the rest of our Yellowstone adventures. The kids also managed to get in a few hours at the pool so I'd like to think that everyone was happy in the end.
We are hoping for an early start tomorrow but as it's 9pm and all kids are wide awake, I am skeptical.
Is Andrew doing "The Robot" in front of the Old Faithful sign? That I pretty awesome.
ReplyDeleteSo brave taking them from what they think they want to do into the unknown of what they will actually remember from the trip. Just like Meriwether: "Of courage undaunted, possessing a firmness and perseverance of purpose which nothing but impossibilities could divert from its direction, careful as a father [more mother in your case] of those committed to his charge, yet steady in the maintenance of order and discipline, intimate with the Indian character, customs, and principles; habituated to the hunting life, guarded by exact observation of the vegetables and animals of his own country against losing time in the description of objects already possessed; honest, disinterested, liberal, of sound understanding, and a fidelity to truth so scrupulous that whatever he should report would be as certain as if seen by ourselves."
ReplyDeleteThe similarities ease off a little in the middle as I am not sure about your familiarity with Indian culture or your skills in observing plants, but you get what I mean.
How do you have the energy to write these awesome blog posts each day? I get tired just looking at all of the adventures. I am additionally impressed by the fact that everyone looks reasonably happy. So far. Perhaps Heath is a stabilizing factor.
ReplyDeleteI dreamed last night that I was on the road trip with you. I think it was a good dream. I'm not sure.
xoxoxo.
Dear intrepid travelers, what a wonderful adventure you are having! We wake up everyday and run to snatch up our iPad to see what beautiful sites and photos of those three gorgeous grandchildren of mine and a couple of others. Heath I love to hear from you. Your slant on the trip has been very interesting, insightful, and well written. Grandpa Brian and I are looking forward to your visit with us. We won't be able to provide mountains, geysers, rock slides, and waterfalls.....sorry. Love Grandma Nancy
DeleteBrett, I believe that is "the Robot" it has sort of become his signature move.
ReplyDeleteKathy, I appreciate the comparison to Lewis. He seemed to have more control over his party though but I like to think of myself as having courage undaunted in spite of the frequent mutiny.
ReplyDelete