Tag: Girls Expotition

Girls Expotition… Days Sixteen and Seventeen: The Trip Home

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Leaving to head home was bittersweet. I never like to say goodbye to my family but I was also ready to get home and see Shaun. So Monday morning, we hit the road early in the morning and started on our way. Just me, Abby and Ellie. Luckily our destination was Salt Lake City, so it wasn’t a long day.
We drove through Gallatin Canyon, which meant one last little jaunt through Yellowstone. We didn’t see much in the way of animals but the morning was clear and gorgeous. The fall colors coming through West Yellowstone and into Idaho were beautiful. I sure miss the change in seasons.

As we started heading out of the mountains and into Idaho Falls, it became apparent that a large storm was coming. The hanging clouds over the last glimpse of the Tetons eventually led to massive dark clouds and pouring rain. I had hoped for a good storm the entire trip and I was now finally getting one. It poured buckets until Malad Pass south of Pocatello. The girls were asleep, it was pouring rain and I was completely in heaven.
Before heading to the hotel in Salt Lake, we did a little shopping in Park City for the girls. I was proud of my deal hunting skills and thankful for a few very valuable coupons my mom gave me. At the Childrens Place Outlet, I bought nearly $100 worth of clothes for Abby and Ellie and only spent $22. Pretty awesome if you ask me. So we arrived at the hotel, dinner in hand, tired but happy and ready to eat and sleep. 
The following day was pretty uneventful. We drove from Salt Lake to home, making only a few stops. I had wanted to stop in to see Grandma Taylor (Grandma Tutu to the girls) but needed to get home to Shaun. I felt bad for not stopping in to see her like we usually do, but I called to make sure she was ok and tell her about the trip. Coming home to Shaun that night was wonderful and he greeted us with a yummy dinner, a few presents for the girls and lots of hugs for all of us. Our trip was wonderful and I missed my parents and sister very much, but it was great to be home with the man I love so much. Next time, Shaun is coming with us no matter what!

Girls Grand Expotition.. Day Ten: Kelli Heads Home :(

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This morning, after an amazingly wonderful trip, Kelli hopped on to that jet plane and headed home. It was really tough to say goodbye after a really fun adventure but I guess all good things must come to an end. I dislike that saying though. Do fun things really have to end?

I guess they do but before we took Kelli to the airport, we went out for one last hoorah. We got up, packed the car and headed over to the Coffee Pot for some yummy breakfast. Yummy is actually an understatement.  Shaun and I have been to the Coffee Pot before and its amazing. The cinnamon rolls are award winning (no really, they are) and the biscuits and gravy are the best I have EVER had. I think Kelli felt the same way, but you would have to ask her yourself.

After breakfast it was time to head to the airport. We took our sweet time leaving. Part of it was because we didn’t want to go and the other part was that we were so full  we had to move slow. Eventually we made it to the airport and said our goodbyes to Kelli. We took our time doing that as well but that had nothing to do with the amount of food in our bellies.

Pretty soon Kelli disappeared into the airport and we had to go. The remainder of our day was pretty mellow. We did a bit of shopping with Auntie Jillian and just hung out around town. The big adventure was over and now it was time to just relax and enjoy time with family before we headed home again. What wonderful memories we made over the last week and a half. Ones I know I will never forget!

Girls Grand Expotition… Day Nine: Kelli’s Last Day :(

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Today was Kelli’s last day with us in Montana. I wanted to everything and anything but at the same time I wanted to just lay low and enjoy Bozeman and we did just that. Kelli was interested in seeing Bozeman Deaconess Hospital where my Dad works, so he was able to give her a tour. While she did that Auntie Jillian, the girls and myself headed to the Museum of the Rockies one more time to see the dinosaurs and enjoy the Yellowstone Adventure play area that was closed during our last trip.
At the museum, the Triceratops display was close to being finished. The large female was completely pieced together and the baby was now by her side. We watched as the display designer created the base and faux stone around them. It was pretty interesting to see how everything was made! The girls enjoyed the Explore Yellowstone play area, spending the rest of their time there. When Kelli called to say she was close to being done we had a hard time pulling the girls away. But who wouldn’t want to leave? This place is pretty awesome!

After the museum trip we headed to the mall to do a bit of shopping and browsing. We bought some books, a pretzel and a few other little things and just enjoyed the time together. Kelli then took us for some frozen yogurt and we spent more time talking and laughing. After dinner I sat with Kelli has she folded laundry and packed her bags. I really wish she didn’t have to go but I know that the party had to end at some point. I smile right now because we had such a wonderful time and made wonderful memories but my heart is a little heavy knowing its over. At least I get to spend some more time with my family before heading back home.

Girls Grand Expotition… Day Eight: Waterfalls, "Hidden Trails", and Bull Elk

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This morning we had a much better start. Having the girls sleep in their own little “nests” on the floor made a huge difference, so much so that I actually slept through the night! Yay! So, feeling bright eyed and bushy tailed we grabbed something to eat, packed the car and headed out.
Before beginning our adventures on our last day in the park, we did a little souvenir shopping at Canyon.
Once our shopping needs were fulfilled, we started our journey by heading back out to Hayden Valley.
We were hoping to see wolves and other wildlife near the bison carcass.
Sure enough they were there and while everyone was focusing on them, Kelli spotted something along the river.
There he was, a beautiful and very big Grizzly Bear lumbering along the banks of the Yellowstone River.
We were thrilled to know that Kelli would not be leaving Yellowstone without seeing a bear!
After our bear sighting we continued a little further into Hayden Valley.
We spotted a mama coyote with several of her pups traveling through the brush.
One of the pups wasn’t good about keeping up so mama had to stop a lot. But that gave me a beautiful moment. 
We sat and watched for a good half hour or more. What a sight it was! 
The ravens were also keeping us busy too. Grabbing our attention when they could.

Pretty soon we had to move on and turned around to head back to the other side of the Canyon and Artists Point.
I couldn’t let Kelli leave Yellowstone without seeing one of the most famous shots of the Lower Falls.
We also had the chance to take the one and only picture of all of us (minus Dad because he was behind the camera)
The day was a little smoky but it didn’t take away from the beauty of the falls.
From there we went to the Brink of the Upper Falls, although the highlight was the sighting of two Blacktail bucks.

We moved on from there but it was becoming apparent that both Grandpa Jerry and Grandma Denise were sick too.
They didn’t let it get them down and continued on with us.
We drove along the Firehole River, stopped to see Firehole Falls and then made our way to Midway Geyser Basin.
From here we took one heck of an adventure to find the overlook to Grand Prismatic Springs.
Jillian had been told about a “trail” that takes you too a beautiful overlook that was worth the hike.
Its too bad the person who told her this forgot to mention that it wasn’t an official park trail.
Lets just say it was more of a path beaten down by people that meant scaling the side of the mountain.
Yes, we did it even with Abby in tow and it was worth the view. No, I don’t plan on doing it again.
By the time we got back to a solid and flat surface, we were a mess and ready to head back to the car.
A storm was starting to blow in as well and I didn’t want to be on that hill when the skies opened up.

Now that the unexpected scale up the mountain side was behind us, it was time to feed the tired, hungry and weary.
We stopped at Old Faithful at the Snow Lodge Cafe to eat. It felt great to rest and enjoy time with the gang.
As we finished our food, the skies began to darken and the wind began to blow hard. Finally some rain!
With the car packed up, we headed back to Mammoth and enjoyed the last drive through the park.
The bull elk were in Mammoth and boy were they mad.
The Big Daddy of them all stood near the official park Post Office, bugling and showing off his strength and prowess.
According to the ranger, he had charged, rammed and damaged five cars that day. He was not to be messed with.
Gotta love the rut season in Yellowstone. What a show!

After a fun show with the elk we left Mammoth and made our way out to the North Entrance. Another bull elk had his harem of ladies collected along the Gardner River. He was also a big guy and had created quite the traffic jam. Once we passed by with a few more pictures of some impressive animals, it was time to say goodbye to Yellowstone. We left happy to have seen all that we had seen but with heavy hearts knowing we had to go. The clouds gave us some rain and wind on the trip home which helped us all relax. I know we will be back again and I also know that Kelli will be there with us to enjoy it too. I cant wait to come back but until then I will enjoy the wonderful memories.

Girls Grand Expotition.. Day Seven: Surprises In Hayden Valley

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I am very glad that I didn’t hold my breath when it came to the girls being sick and getting some sleep because I didn’t. At all. Okay, well maybe a few hours but that’s about it. I was hoping to be up and go out with my dad and Kelli to walk to the Lower Falls Overlooks but I was too tired to do it. I tried to sleep in a bit but based on the meltdown I had with my mom, an extra hour of sleep didn’t help much. Once they returned and everyone was dressed, ready and fed, our day began together.
Lower Falls at Sunrise

Lower Falls at Sunrise
after breakfast, our first order of business was to head out to Hayden Valley.
we all wanted to check out the tip given to us by a gentleman we met the night before at dinner.
sure enough, the tip was a good one. When we arrived there were wolves feeding on the bison carcass.
luckily my dad had borrowed a spotting scope from a friend at work, so Kelli was able to see them wolves up close.
we also had the chance to see a young bald eagle perched atop a dead tree, probably waiting for the wolves to leave.
A young Bald Eagle watching over the kill. He doesn’t even have his white feathers on his head yet.

Looking at the carcass and the wolves. The small black dot in the left,center of the picture is the black wolf. Her pups were feeding on the carcass so they were hard to see from our spot.

after stopping and watching the wolves for at least half an hour, maybe more we continued on our way.
we stopped at Mud Volcano to get out, walk the boardwalks and show Kelli what makes Yellowstone so unique.
it had been a long time since I have walked this boardwalk, but it was completely worth it.
Abby and Ellie used their imaginations to figure out what the mud pots and fumaroles looked like to them… dragons.
we found the mommy and daddy dragons hanging out at Mud Volcano, one was hanging out in a cave!
Ellie even had the chance to catch a fun and bumpy ride down the stairs in her stroller. Thanks Grandpa!

Heading up the hill and enjoying the view!

Mud Volcano, one of many bubbling mud springs.

Dragons Mouth Spring

Dragons Mouth Spring. It was determined that this was the “Mommy Dragon”.

after a wonderful but stinky walk (according to Abby) we decided to drove around Yellowstone Lake.
we drove a little ways out towards the East Entrance, but stopped at the Yellowstone Lake Overlook.
the smoke from fires kept the day from being clear but the blue water was still amazing and the view was stunning.
we stopped at Fishing Bridge for some souvenir shopping and some yummy ice cream.
as we sat out on the general store porch eating, my dad and I watched as a raven stole cookies from a side bag.

Overlooking Yellowstone Lake. So beautiful.
because we did dessert first, we headed back into Hayden Valley to stop for some lunch.
we chose the LeHardy Rapids picnic area, which was shaded, tree lined and very quiet. So perfect!
the girls ate on their own picnic blanket and ate their lunch quietly. Their focus was on the river and skipping rocks.
after eating and cleaning up the girls had the chance to skip rocks and relax by the river.
it was a perfect afternoon and so much fun to enjoy with the girls, Kelli and my wonderful family.

Eating lunch and having a chat.

Just in case we don’t end up seeing a bear.

Skipping rocks.

Le Hardy Rapids on a beautiful and clear day.

Little bird playing in the rapids.

after lunch we continued through Hayden Valley, hoping to see some bears or wolves.
the bison kill site was empty and it was obvious that the animals were probably still snoozing after filling their bellies.
from Hayden Valley we cut over to Norris and headed over to Old Faithful for dinner at Old Faithful Inn.
the largest and closest fire burning in the park was the Cygnet Fire.
on the road to Norris we could see the smoke plumes. At one point we could see the flames in the trees near the road.
along the Firehole River we spotted a big bull elk that we stopped to snap a few photos of. Boy was he pretty.

The Cygnet Fire burning on the ridge near the road closest to us.

Beautiful Bull Elk just hanging out near the Firehole River.

next on our agenda… dinner at Old Faithful Inn! Yummy!
as always the Old Faithful Inn was beautiful and the food was great. I will dream about that risotto for a while.
with our tummies very full we quickly made our way over to the Old Faithful viewing area.
we had timed everything just right and within twenty minutes of dinner, we were watching Old Faithful erupt.
watching Old Faithful was perfect. Kelli had the chance to see Yellowstone’s most famous locations.
that and Abby was excited to see the “Grandpa Dragon” talking to us.

Old Faithful erupting at sunset.

Pondering life and where the Grandpa Dragon lives inside Old Faithful.

After the eruption the light faded quickly. We packed up into the car and headed back to Canyon to wind down and relax. On the road from Norris to Canyon the flames from the Cygnet Fire were very apparent  especially the ones right next to the road. You could see the firefighters setting up a sprinkler system to create a fire line from the road. It was sad and impressive all at the same time. Now the girls are asleep in the cozy nests we have made on the floor. I hate doing that to them but they are enjoying it. It was determined that they needed to sleep there so that I could get a good nights sleep without children kicking and smacking me all night. I need the sleep so lets hope this works! Oh well, despite the exhaustion I had an amazing day full of amazing memories. Cant wait for tomorrow!

Girls Grand Expotition… Day Six: Off to Yellowstone!

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After some rest, its off to Yellowstone for three days! While Kelli has had the chance to come through the park already, this will be the first time we really get to explore, get out of the car and see all that is Yellowstone. And away we go!
after a beautiful drive through Paradise Valley, our first stop was the archway at the North Entrance.
the original entrance to Yellowstone is a must see for a first timer into the park.

Kelli at the North Entrance to Yellowstone National Park on a beautiful day.

the next stop for our motley crew, was the 45th parallel. 
as it says below, the 45th parallel is the halfway point between the Equator and the North Pole. 
its a pretty cool stop and one I don’t think I have taken the time to do before.

The crew 45th parallel.

Abby the explorer using her binoculars to find animals.

after our stop we headed to Mammoth Hot Springs for a break and then set out for Lamar Valley.
on our way out we stopped at Petrified Tree, for a quick stretch and a walk.
the grasshoppers were everywhere on the walkway up, one even landed on Auntie Jillian.

Walking up to Petrified Tree with Auntie Jillian and Auntie Kelli
Petrified Tree. There are a lot more along this hillside but this is the largest of them all.

after our stop we continued on to Lamar Valley.
the day was a bit smokey but beautiful.
with the exception of bison and pronghorn, the animals were hiding from us but we were having fun.
we stopped for lunch at a beautiful picnic site right along a small creek.
we ate, enjoyed a cool breeze and then the girls played near the water where Grandpa showed them how to skip rocks.

Abby and Ellie sit down to eat lunch outside of Lamar Valley close to Ice Box Canyon.

Skipping rocks along the creek with Auntie Jillian, Auntie Kelli and Grandpa Jerry.

after lunch we made our way back through Lamar Valley and on to Tower Junction.
we took a drive down to Slough Creek Campground in hopes to see some wildlife
we found some and while it wasn’t a bear or wolf, it was the closest I have ever been to a pronghorn.

A family of Pronghorn right next to the road on our drive to Slough Creek Campground

After our sighting, we hit the road again over to Tower Junction and up of Mt. Washburn.
Because of construction mess and noise, the usual spots to see black bears were empty.
Up on Mt. Washburn it was too early to spot the usual wolves and grizzly bears, but we were able to take a potty break!
Lower Falls at Sunset

our trip over Mt. Washburn led us right to Canyon Lodge, our stop for the next few nights.
so… we checked in, unpacked the cars, freshened up and then headed to the Canyon Rim.
the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone looked gorgeous at sunset, despite the fire nearby.
after walks to the Brink of the Lower Falls and the Lower Falls overlook, we headed back for dinner.
as we waited for a table we met a gentleman who informed us about a bison kill in Hayden Valley. 
apparently bears, wolves and other animals have been hanging out this spot for a few days.
at dinner that night we talked, laughed and Kelli tried something new for dinner!

Kelli tried a Bison Burger for the very first time and she liked it!

A wonderful day has come to an end and its quiet in our cute little cabin. The girls are asleep and there is very little sound outside. I love being out in the woods, far from the craziness of life. I had hoped we would see more animals today, but we still have a few more days. What we did see was beautiful and I know Kelli has enjoyed it. Here is to hoping that we get some sleep. Both Abby and Ellie have the cold that I have been recovering from and its been a bit rough. Fingers are crossed but I wont hold my breath…

Girls Grand Expotition 2012… Day Five: A Bit of Local Sight Seeing

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After a more relaxing day in Bozeman, we hit the road for a bit of sight seeing. Auntie Jillian had to stay home and work, so this time it was just the girls, Auntie Kelli and myself. So we took to the road again, but this time not as far…
our journey would take us to our first stop, Virginia City. a historic mining and boom town.
the day was very smokey because of multiple fires within Montana and Idaho but that didn’t stop us!
when we arrived we stopped to enjoy some of the old buildings. Abby quickly found the toy shop.
many of the old buildings have been renovated and used for diners, antique shops, and ice cream parlors.
Virginia City Historical marker. Virginia City was one of Montana’s largest mining and boom towns.
Abby stops to admire many of the old fashion tin toys in what used to be a toy  and general shop.
after walking for a little while, we stopped for some ice cream.
the plane to split a cone failed and in the end, Abby had strawberry and Ellie ate mommies mint chip.
i stole a few spoonfuls when Ellie wasn’t looking. boy was it yummy!
“Look mommy, I stole your ice cream! Its Mint n Chip… your favorite!”

“This ice cream is gooooooood.”

after ice cream we walked a bit more and discovered a few fun buildings.
in a sweet moment, I found Abby and Ellie walking hand in hand talking about the yummy ice cream.
i tried hard but explaining why the buildings look the way they do to a four year old is tough.
Abby thought it was weird that no one fixed the buildings.

While I only had a few bites, this ice cream was truly amazing. I cant wait to go back soon.

Walking hand in hand, talking about their yummt ice cream and admiring all of the nick knacks in the store windows.

An antique wash basin that was once used by families during the height of mining in Virginia City.

“Mommy these buildings are old and look bad. Why doesn’t someone come and fix them?”

pretty soon we packed up the car and headed back towards Bozeman.
on the way we took a few back roads that led to Three Forks.
we stopped in Three Forks to show Auntie Kelli the Sacajawea Hotel.
the Sacajawea Hotel is a part of my family history.
my great great grandparents were the first proprietors.
after stopping in Three Forks we took a slight detour and went to Headwaters State Park.
at Headwaters State Park, Kelli had the chance to see the headwaters of the Missouri River.
Pure joy playing on the tire swing.

Abby was thoroughly enjoying the “obstacle course”

we eventually said goodbye to the headwaters and made out way home.
my allergies had turned into a cold and I was starting to feel crummy with a horrible headache to boot.
once home, Ellie and I laid down to rest while Abby headed to the park with Grandpa Jerry.
from what I can tell Abby and Grandpa Jerry had a lot of fun together.
After a busy day out and about it was dinner and bed time for all. We had to pack smaller bags because tomorrow, we head off to Yellowstone for three days! I cannot wait to share more of favorite place with Kelli and enjoy what I can. I need to sleep but I know this stupid cold and my excitement might keep me awake. Oh well, on to another fun adventure!

Girls Grand Expotition 2012… Day Four: Time to Relax in Bozeman

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After three wonderful but busy days on the road, it was time to relax and enjoy a few days in Bozeman. After a restful night of sleep and some sleeping we slowly started our day. What I thought had been allergies had now turned into a cold, so I was feeling a bit under the weather but still ready to have some fun!
“Mom, I just woke up… What’s with the camera in my face already?”

Abby was hiding from me. I guess she wasn’t too thrilled with taking pictures first thing in the morning either.

after a yummy breakfast/lunch we finally made it out of the door.
we had to make a stop at the local camera shop.
my camera desperately needed to be cleaned. luckily it was only the sensor that was dirty. easy fix!

“As you can see, this is a tepee. Tepees are a type of dwelling used by many of the Plains Indians.”

“This is the jawbone of a Mammoth. Big, isn’t it?”

Just making sure that the house did indeed fall on the Wicked Witch of the East.

Abby’s favorite exhibit in the museum, the mama Triceratops with her baby.  You can actually see the baby breathing.

“What mom? Its not like I smuggled my string cheese into the museum and got mommy in trouble for having food near the exhibits  Oh wait, I did. Woops!” 

while my camera was being cleaned we headed to The Museum of the Rockies to see the dinosaurs.
due to limited time, we quickly wandered through the new Napoleon exhibit.
we then blasted through the history of Montana and scurried past the Native American display.
abby didn’t complain about missing the Native American display, one of the mannequins scared her.
when we arrived at the dinosaurs we found several paleontologists putting together a new display.
the display was a newly unearthed triceratops. Abby watched in awe as they put together its rib cage.
after the dinosaurs, we headed to the Yellowstone discovery area but it was closed. 😦
at that point it was time to go back to Grandpa and Grandma’s house.
The rest of the evening was relaxing and simple. We all spent time talking, laughing, watching TV and just enjoying the time together. We went to Mackenzie River for some yummy food and enjoyed some people watching as well. What a great day and there is plenty in store for tomorrow too!

Girls Grand Expotition 2012… Day Three, An Unforgettably Gorgeous Day!

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Refreshed after a much needed night of sleep, we started our third day bright and early. The fire near Jackson seemed to be creating allergy issues for me, but I certainly wasn’t going to let that stop me. We got up, packed the car, enjoyed our breakfast and then hit the road. Well, sort of…
once in the car we stopped moments later for pictures with the famous antler arches.
then we stopped for gas.
we were then caught in a construction stop for about 15 minutes.
finally, we were moving along…
Mommy and the Girls underneath the famous Jackson  antler arches.

once we were moving we crossed into Grand Teton National Park.
we stopped for pictures in front of the sign.
we stopped for a lot of pictures on our way to Moose Junction.
from Moose Junction we took the road in towards Jenny Lake.
Mommy and the girls about to enter Grand Teton National Park

Auntie Kelli and the girls about to enter Grand Teton National Park.

the road towards Jenny Lake gave us spectacular views. 
you couldn’t tell there were fires nearby.
it also gave us a lot of places to stop and take some great pictures.
the day was perfect. the skies were blue with the perfect wisps of clouds.

The Tetons approaching Jenny Lake

The Tetons are growing as we get closer to Jenny Lake.

we decided to take the Jenny Lake Loop Drive.
we made a stop at Jenny Lake for some pictures. 
the girls were cranky so Kelli was the only one to get out for pictures. it was a beautiful view though.
by the time we reached Hoback Junction, the girls were growing restless.
we quickly drove to Oxbow Bend, which looked beautiful with the willows starting to change color.
after our photo op, we hit the road and began the quick trip to Yellowstone.
It almost doesnt look real. The willows are starting to turn at Oxbow Bend.

on the road out of Teton and through the John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway we hit construction.
two construction stops along the way slowed us a bit.
after the last construction stop, we decided to take a break at Colter Bay.
we stopped to shop and I found two replacements for my favorite key chain.
after a potty break, lunch and souvenirs we were back on the road and only 20 miles from Yellowstone.

The girls at the South Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. This would be Kelli’s first time entering this wonderful National Park. I did not get a picture of her at the sign on my camera, so I will have to get one from Kelli.

after a quick drive we arrived at the South Entrance of Yellowstone National Park.
this would be Kelli’s first time in Yellowstone, so we had to stop for pictures.
we took pictures of Kelli, the girls, the girls and I and more.
we also watched several men from back East fish the Yellowstone. they caught a few too!
after taking it all in, we got back into the car and crossed the boundary into Yellowstone.
Kelli crossing the Continental Divide over Craig’s Pass. Another first for Kelli!

our first stop was Lewis Falls. one of my favorites.
we then drove to Grants Village and around Yellowstone Lake to Fishing Bridge.
on our way we stopped to see the Lake Hotel. Such a pretty place and not well known either.
from Fishing Bridge we drove a few miles out towards the East Entrance.
we didn’t see Wolves or Bear as we hoped, but we saw a lot of Bison.
from there we turned around and headed back the way we came, diverting our travel towards Old Faithful.
on our way over Craig’s Pass, we stopped at one of the two markers for the Continental Divide.
this was another first for Auntie Kelli, so we had to stop and document it.

One of many beautiful thermal pools along Firehole Lake Drive.

we reached the junction at Old Faithful and headed towards the West Entrance.
we had a bit of extra time so we decided to explore the Firehole Lake Drive loop.
the thermal pools were gorgeous in the afternoon sun.
fall means that water levels are low but Firehole Lake and its surrounding pools were spectacular.
A lone Coyote out for an afternoon hunt. Our first non-hoofed animal sighting of the trip.

after finishing our drive around Firehole Lake, we headed towards the West Entrance.
along the way we saw our first animal that didn’t have hooves, a lone Coyote hunting rodents in a meadow.
we cut off at Madison Junction and headed towards West Yellowstone.
along the way, we saw a Bald Eagle perched at the top of a pine tree.
from this point we drove and didn’t stop. our destination was my parents house in Bozeman.ft
The drive through Gallatin Canyon and the outer borders of the park was beautiful, especially at the time of the afternoon that we did it in. Within an hour and a half we had arrived at my parents house and boy were we happy to see them. I have to say I was a little sad, because it meant the big road trip portion of our trip was over but we still have a long weekend in Yellowstone and some down time in Bozeman to enjoy. What a great day! I certainly hope Kelli felt the same way!

Girls Grand Expotition 2012… Day Two and the Journey Continues!

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If Day One was great, then I can easily call Day Two amazing. I have done the trip from Porter Ranch to Salt Lake City many times in my life. Probably more then I can count actually, so it isn’t always as impressive to me. The being said, I enjoyed it more then normal because Kelli has never been through most of that route before. However, the trip from Salt Lake City to Jackson Hole is one of many favorites and a trip that brings back a lot of childhood memories, so I was really looking forward to it and to sharing it with Kelli.
Today was definitely filled with a lot of pictures. Unfortunately I had a few issues with my camera, one of which was improper settings that I didn’t bother to check. So a lot of my pictures turned out grainy and dark. Oh well, that’s life! Anyway, this is how the first part of our day went…
woke up excited and ready to hit the road, breakfast was pretty yummy too! 
stopped in Ogden for some gas, ice, snacks and of course, coffee!
once we reached Brigham City, it was time to cut off towards Logan Canyon. I think I was a bit giddy.
drove through Logan and found that a few of the places we used to stop at for picnic items as a kid.
started up Logan Canyon, the trees were beginning to turn and a storm was looming in the distance. 🙂
stopped at Ricks Springs, a spot my family always visited when I was a kid. Ah, memories.
reached the top of the canyon and the Bear Lake overlook. Perfection.
stopped in Garden City for a famous Raspberry shake and some lunch. Yummy.
drove along Bear Lake on our way to Jackson. On a partially cloudy day, the lake was amazingly blue.
Ricks Springs

Another generation enjoying a beautiful day  and a stop at Ricks Springs.

Kelli and the girls at the Bear Lake Overlook

Mommy and the Girls at Bear Lake… such a gorgeous day.

After the drive around Bear Lake, we headed back into the canyons and I was in heaven. The sky was perfectly blue, the air was crisp and the leaves were starting to change. I have never been through this area near the beginning of Fall, so I felt as though I was seeing some of this for the very first time. It was beautiful, relaxing, cathartic even and I was so thrilled to be sharing it with such a dear friend. The only thing that could make this even more perfect would be having Shaun here. One day soon.
Once we passed through Afton and hit our junction in Alpine we began our trip through Snake River Canyon. We were almost to Jackson and there was plenty of fun ahead of us!

after a few stops in the Snake River Canyon, we made it to Hoback Junction. Jackson here we come!
on the road to Jackson we noticed several brush fires up in the canyons near Jackson, bummer.
we checked in to our hotel, after a near meltdown moment.
           side note: the meltdown…the hotel didn’t have our reservation. it was found and all was right.
after a few moments of unpacking and taking a breather we were back in the car.
soon we were in Teton National Park. i think the first sight of the peaks took Kelli’s breath away.
we drove, stopping whenever we could, but as the sun set we were forced to head back to Jackson.
to end the night we stopped to do a little shopping and grab some pizza for dinner before bedtime.

Snake River Canyon… Perfection

Kelli and the girls at the Snake Overlook in Teton

A little sneak peak before our day in Teton tomorrow.

After a long day its now time for the adults to head to bed  The girls, after only a bit of fight, are passed out cold. What an amazing day. I tried my best to soak it all in and enjoy every moment. I think Kelli really enjoyed the day and all that she has seen so far. That is the icing on the cake for me. I cannot wait until tomorrow.

Girls Grand Expotition 2012… Our First Day

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Day one of our trip is now in the history books! Well, our history books at least. We hit the road by 6:30 am and landed in Salt Lake City around 8:30 pm (Mountain Time). While that drive might seem long to most, it was a good one. Abby and Ellie are excellent travelers and even though they had their moments, it was a pretty effortless trip. Kelli and I had the chance to talk and catch up on life and then some.
The one of several tourist stops in Baker… The Worlds Largest Thermometer.

After a change of clothes, Ellie decided she wanted to drive for mommy. If only she could have.
It wasn’t a day full  of  pictures, but there certainly were some memorable moments. Here is how our day went…
on the road by 6:30 am with a full tank of gas and ice in the cooler.
stopped in Victorville for a potty break and some Starbucks to finally get the day going.
stopped in Baker to change the girls clothes and a photo op with the World’s Largest Thermometer.
gas stop in Primm, Nevada (stateline) and one of many false alarm potty breaks for Ellie.
stopped in St. George Utah for shoes at Payless and then gas and some lunch.
             sidenote: yes, Payless. In the middle of nowhere I realized that Abby’s sandals were MIA
between St. Geroge and Salt Lake City were several potty breaks for the girls, one was a photo finish.
arrived in Salt Lake City around 8:30 pm and checked in to the Holiday Inn Express.
once settled it was dinner at Sonic, baths and then bed. 
A nice cozy bed is calling my name, but I cannot wait for the day ahead of us. Tomorrow we land in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and that means Grand Teton National Park! Until then…

Girls Grand Expotition of 2012!

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In just a few short hours the girls and I hit the road with Auntie Kelli for our Girls Grand Expotition! I need a lot of sleep but its hard not to think and be excited about the trip ahead of us. Not only do I get to see my sister and my parents, but I get to show one of my dearest friends some of the places I love most. I get the chance to play tour guide for a week and a half too!

So the car is packed, the girls are in bed and now its time to get some rest. We have to be up super early so lets hope that I can sleep! Let the fun begin!