Yellowstone 2010

(I hope that no one remembers this differently than me) I wanted to plan a trip. If you say you are going and set the date far enough in advance, it happens. One Ballard Family Sunday, I said I was going on a trip to Yellowstone. I invited everyone. Richard thought it would be fun to go on June (the 6th month) 7, 8 & 9 of 2010. 6-7-8-9-10. So that is how the date came about. I thought this would also be a great way to celebrate my birthday. We actually arrived on the 6th. After everyone made it, we had hot chocolate at our camp site. The Mike & Steve Ballard Familes camped at Rainbow Point Campground and Grandpa & Grandma joined the Wiricks (Tyler couldn't come) & the Harris families at some cabins just outside of West Yellowstone.

Monday morning we met at the IMAX theater and watched "Yellowstone". It was very well done and Mike cracked himself up making references to it throughout the trip. It was rainy and a bit cold. Then we proceeded into the park. We made a few stops before we made it to the anticipated hot pots. This was our first wildlife siting. Then we took a scenic route to see this waterfall.

These bison really slowed us down (according to Gracie). But it was crazy how close they were. We could have actually touched them. It was kinda fun to be stopped and watch them up close. We were not supposed to, but we let the kids out of their seat belts so they were climbing in and out of the widows into the back of the truck. Then Steve jumped out of his car with Adam and they stood in the back of our truck and made a video of the experience. Mike got this cut shot of Gracie in the rear view mirror watching the bison.

Gracie and Jake kept asking if we were going to get to see the geysers and hot pots. The rain was kinda a problem because there was so much steam that you couldn't really tell what water was going up and what water was coming down. They thought the smells were pretty crazy.

We had more stops planned, but with so many little ones, we only made it to Old Faithful the first day. We headed back into town, did a little site seeing. Mike didn't want to go shopping, but I did. We needed paper plates for dinner so I told Mike that we could pick them up at the General Mercantile. It was not true & I knew it, but I love to look in stores:) He was not impressed. Jack did find a scorpion in a plastic block. He was impressed:)

It was nice to have a dry place for the cousins to play & it was super fun to have so many cousins to play with.

These pocket knifes were the kids souvenirs. They picked them out at the IMAX store. Gracie found a smaller one with Gloria on it. She was so delighted that Grandma bought it. Later that day Jack, Lucy & Rachel got one too. Gretchen got hers the next day. She got an L for Luly (her nickname from Grandpa Bruce). All in all we bought 7 pocket knives in 2 days. The kids have really enjoyed them and we have not had any real problems.... yet.

The best carving was done on their string cheese.

Here is Adam, doing a few of his "cool tricks".

I took this picture of the fallen trees, because it is what I remember Yellowstone looking like when I was little. I thought that the fallen trees were just a consequence of the big fire. Turns out, they are just part of nature. I would like someone to clean them up though. Here is a shot of the construction that was going on while we were there.

Tuesday the weather was beautiful, because that is the best birthday wish anyone could get. Mike said I made him sing "Happy Birthday" to me 4 times. I think it was only 3, but I did love it every time. I handed out Blow-pops for my birthday treat. I did not have to take Gretchen to the bathroom during lunch. I spent it with a wonderful family, I am luck enough to be a part of.It was one of my best birthdays ever. ...When I turned 16, we were on a family trip in Nauvoo. I waded in the Mississippi River. My mom bought me a red velvet cake...
I think I will plan a trip for my birthday every year.

This was a good hike for my kids. They kept asking why it was called Yellowstone. Here they could see why. Hikes like these (drop offs) make me so nervous with little kids.
Everyone made it safe and sound, but I was a mess the entire time.



At the campfire the last night, Mike & I asked the kids about their favorite part. Gretchen didn't hesitate. It was in fact the yellow-bellied marmot.

This hike was to a suspension bridge. Strangely enough, this bridge felt very safe to me.

Then Mike did this...

On our way to Mammoth Hot Springs we saw these Elk. We stopped like everyone else to take a picture. Mike took these through the binoculars.

This coyote was running across the street. It was Mike's favorite part.
The cute row of houses at Mammoth Hot Springs were my favorite part. I love darling houses, with cute porches, that look the same, all in a row.
It reminded me of Captin's Row, at the Naval Academy in Maryland.

Obviously the ride gets a little long and Gretsie lost her mind.

While we were waiting for our tin foil dinners, we played a little game of capture the flag. It was a little rough on Jake. He fell right out of the starting gate & then when he came around, he ran right into a tree. Mike and Steve played and the kids loved it.

On the last morning, we slept in. I woke up to this face.

Gracie was swinging her arrow shaped gemstone necklace chanting to hypnotize me. She was saying "You are getting very sleepy (I was). When I snap my fingers you will wake up and make me an amazing breakfast." I did not make her an amazing breakfast,
but for lunch, she ordered breakfast:)

Home, sweet home. Okay, not our house, but the view from our driveway.