Showing posts with label Wyoming. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wyoming. Show all posts

Friday, October 7, 2011

October 3-7, 2011: Girls Yellowstone Adventure


We have friends in Livingston, Montana who I really wanted to visit this summer.  They were unable to be home when we were through their way in June, so two weeks ago I decided that I could take the girls on a trip over to visit, and make one more trip to Yellowstone while we were so close. 
I was a little worried, being the first trip I've taken where I'm the only adult along for more than one day.  We drove 1300 miles and traveled 4 states, camping along the way, and we had a great time!




 We enjoyed our drive through the Mammoth area, and got to see the terraces and springs.
 As we were driving along, we spotted a beautiful waterfall and a spouting chocolate pot.
 We drove the Firehole Canyon drive.

 And stopped to hike along the Fountain Paint Pot trail.


 After watching Old Faithful erupt and the short videos in the visitor center, we checked out the kids discovery room.

 


 Love the Sinclair dinosaur!
Thanks Selena for taking a picture of me! 

After our fun day in Yellowstone, we went to the Chico Hot Springs with our friends.  We had a great time swimming in the hot springs.  It was our first time swimming in the rain!  


 
 On Thursday we drove back towards home and stopped in Missoula to visit some dahlia friends.  We had a nice visit and stayed overnight.  Friday, we headed for home, but just to do laundry, because we were on our way to go camping with Grandma Judy one last time!

Sunday, June 26, 2011

June 26, 2011: Day 8, Earthquake Lake and West Yellowstone

At the Hebgen Lake/Earthquake Lake visitor center, we watched a movie about the earthquake and the results of it.  It is scary to think about something like that happening to us while we are camping.  Whole families were wiped out by the slide.  A summary of what happened is... During the night, near a small lake called Duck Lake, a large earthquake struck.  This earthquake caused many changes to happen.  200 geysers and thermal features in Yellowstone erupted simultaneously and a large landslide flowed across the Madison River, damming it and forming Earthquake Lake.  Many families lost their lives, and it upsets my stomach to be here and think about it.  :(
 Earthquake Lake




After Earthquake Lake we went to the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center.  We loved seeing the bears and wolves up close.  We got to watch a short movie about the animals in the wild, and the girls learned a lot.
 Grizzly bear





Friday, June 24, 2011

June 24, 2011: Day 6, Grand Teton National Park

Today we drove through Yellowstone and to Grand Teton National Park.  We caught of glimpse of the mountains the other day, and they looked beautiful.  We decided to stay the entire trip in one campground instead of packing up, we we just had more driving to do, but less packing and unpacking.  On our way south, we stopped at the Grant Village visitor center.  The exhibits were neat, and we got to see the boat launch area.  It was chilly this close to the water.  It was cool to drive here because we crossed the Continental Divide twice, and passed Isa Lake, that flows both towards the east and the west.
Once we were out of the Grant area, it started pouring rain and hail.  It was very loud and wet.  Along the road south of Yellowstone, on the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial parkway, we saw a grizzly bear!  Our first one.  It was hanging out on the side of the road eating a snack.  On our drive south, we stopped at Cunningham Cabin, a national historic site.  the girls liked the cabin, and think it would be fun to live here.  

Once we got into Jackson, we stopped at the National Elk Refuge.  The visitor center was really cool.  the had binoculars set up and let us look through them at the animals.
On our way back north we saw a moose hanging out.  We drove up to the Lawrence S. Rockefeller Preserve, and I must say, this place was AMAZING.  I hiked in alone since the girls were asleep in the car, but it was totally worth it.  What a beautiful building in a beautiful place!

Once we got to back in the main part of the park, we learned that you must hula-hoop through the cross walks?  That's all I could figure this sign meant.  :)
Abby was sad, and Selena drew this picture...

Journal
7:45 am  June 24
Today we are headed through Yellowstone and to the Gran Teton National Park!  We caught a glimpse of the mountains the other day, and they look beautiful.  For the rest of the trip, we've decided to stay at the same campground, since we are all set up and comfortable.  Tomorrow we will use for park catch-up.  Whatever we don't finish today.  I think it will mostly be Midway Geyser Basin, Biscuit and Black Sand Basins.  Maybe some lake activities.  On Sunday we are going to sleep in and do the West Yellowstone stuff and swim and play in the park and, and, and...  We will leave early on Monday, and go to the Mining Museum and Hell Roaring Gulch in Butte, before heading for home ~ and Hebgen Laek / Quake Lake!
On our way south, we stopped at the Grant Village Visitor Center.  The exhibits were neat and we got to see the boat launch area.  It was chilly this close to the water.  It was cool to drive here because we crossed the Continental Divide twice, and passed Isa Lake, that flows both towards the east and the west!!
We continued on our way towards Grand Teton National Park!  Once we were out of the Grant area, it started POURING rain and hail!  It was very loud and wet. 
Along the road south of Yellowstone, on the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway, we saw a grizzly bear!  Our first one.  It was hanging out on the side of the road eating a snack.  The pictures look really dark on the camera, so I hope they turn out.  
On our drive south, we stopped at Cunningham Cabin, a National Historic Site.  The girls liked the cabin, and think it would be fun to live here.
Once we got into Jackson, we stopped at the National Elk Refuge.  The visitor center was really cool.  They had binoculars and a scope set up and we could watch the animals.  We also visited the Moose, Jenny Lake, and Coulter Bay, Visitor Centers.