July 29th-August 2
This year we decided to go to Yellowstone for our family vacation. We have always wanted to go and with McKenna leaving to go to college, we thought we'd better get there this summer! We stopped in Spanish Fork and stayed the night. Jeff's parents came with us which was a really great way to spend some family time!
July 29th - Day 1:
The first stop on our way up was the Idaho Falls Temple. Here we stopped and ate lunch and stretched our legs.
There's a park just South of the temple where we ate. This cute little bench had everyone's attention. We loved it and the view of the Snake River.
Next stop was Bear World just south of Rexburg Idaho. For a fee you can drive around a compound with wildlife - elk, deer, coyotes, and of course - bears!
Up close and personal - licking our door handle! Yikes!
After the drive around the compound we stopped at their petting zoo.
On our way again we drove around the Rexburg Idaho Temple.
After leaving Rexburg, we stopped in Ashton Idaho to pick up a weeks worth of groceries before heading to our cabin in Island Park. McKenna decided shopping for head apparel was much more fun.
After Ashton, we took a detour recommended by Sharon to the Lower and Upper Mesa Falls of the Henry's Fork River. First - Lower Mesa Falls. They were impressive, but we were only able to admire them from afar. There is quite a little hike to see them up close and personal.
Next were the Upper Mesa Falls - and these really were impressive! A short hike provided us with a front row seat to some of the most beautiful falls I have seen in real life! I think I liked them so much because it was so incredibly green!
An attempt at a family photo:/
The visitor center at the falls - formerly a the Mesa Falls Lodge.
After leaving Mesa Falls Scenic Byway, we made our way to our cabin at Island Park. Island Park has the longest Main Street in the USA - a whopping 36.8 miles long! Finally - after traversing half of that lengthy main street we finally found our cabin - The Owl's Nest.
We went for an evening walk and the girls were so sweet to pick me a boquet of wild flowers! What a fun first day to our family vacation!
July 30th - Day 2: We finally made our way into Yellowstone! As it was my first time along with the kids - Yellowstone was unlike anything I'd ever seen before! Steam and hot pockets rising all over the place! It was strange and beautiful. We toured the lower loop the first day.
Waiting for Old Faithful...
And waiting...
Off in the distance while we were waiting for Old Faithful - Beehive Geyser erupted. Its an incredible geyser erupting for 5 minutes at a height of 200 feet. The ranger said it will erupt faithfully for 2 days and then quiet down for a week to a couple of months. We felt lucky to have seen it! We could actually see the water spouting, thought I had a pic of it, but alas...
Then finally Old Faithful decided it couldn't be outdone. Average height of Old Faithful is 145 feet erupting every 90 minutes.
The many faces of McKenna and Leighton while driving through the park:)
Lake Hotel and Lodge:
What we nicknamed the backside of Yellowstone, turned out to be one of our favorite spots! Its was gorgeous with the beautiful Yellowstone River in the foreground and the gently rolling hills in the back. We were treated to a beautiful complete double rainbow!
Once we got back to the cabin we celebrated Garrett's 16th birthday with cupcakes! What an incredible young man we have been blessed with!
July 31st - Day 3:
Early on day 3 we woke to enter the park again. We traveled the upper loop this time stopping first at Gibbon Falls. So early in the morning - it was quiet and peaceful - and beautiful!
After Gibbon Falls we stopped at Norris Basin. Later that same day the Steamboat Geyser erupted that evening for 9 minutes! A rare sight as it goes off only about every 50 years - and we missed it by less 12 hours! It was really steaming when we drove by later that evening about 1 hour before it erupted.
The next big stop was Mammoth Hot Springs. With a name like that we felt right at home! Jeff, his parents, Kimber and Leighton dropped off Garrett, McKenna, Addison and myself and we hiked down to the lodge while they drove around and down.
After we stopped at Tower Falls for a brief hike.
Next stop - the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Falls
August 1st - Day 4:
Had to get a picture with an old vintage Yellowstone bus!
Grand Prismatic Hot Spring:
Isa Lake:
We drove out the South Entrance of Yellowstone and into the North Entrance of Grand Teton National Park. I will just say that I think I liked the Tetons better overall - the opportunity to really have fun and just not observe from a board walk. We stopped at Colter Bay, ate lunch and the girls played in the water while Garrett skipped stones.
Catching minnows:)
Playing in the mud. Cool rock!
Looking at a waterfall through the binoculars on the opposite side of the lake!
When we got to Jenny Lake we took a shuttle boat over to Hidden Falls.
Leighton fell asleep on my back on the way up to Hidden Falls and wouldn't let anyone carry her if we tried to switch off. I think I worked off all my calories from the trip on this one hike!
Finally while we were waiting for the ferry to take us back, Leighton let Jeff hold her! Whew!
Beautiful girl! I love this smile!
That night we stayed in Jackson Hole at ate a restaurant for the very first time since leaving on our trip! It was well worth the wait - Snake River Brewery. Awesome food!
August 2nd - Day 5:
The next morning we woke early to take in the sights at Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum and get our pics under the antler arches at the park.
Another antler arch on our way home while driving through Afton Wyoming.
McKenna and I spoiled ourselves that last night with food pedi's at the mall. Oooh! It felt so good!
All in all it was a great family vacation this year. We loved being together and seeing some incredible country! Love this family and spending time with them! So glad Jeff's parents were able to join in on our fun!
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