(no subject)
07/01/05 8:53pm PST
Slept with Noah he was quite the snuggle bug. Everyone froze as it was only 45 degrees in the RV when we woke up. Brrrr. Too chicken to turn the heater on. Gas scares me. We made oatmeal for breakfast and got ready to go. Drove up and saw Old Faithful and Painted Pots. Then were going to go on three different hikes. Just as we were leaving painted pots the kids all started throwing fits getting into the car. Having had enough of this over the past 7 days I leaned back and smacked Noah and Brittany. Brittany had leaned forward to move Noah and I ended up whacking her right in the face giving her a bloody nose. Ashley who started the whole thing of course went unscathed. However I freaked out even more screaming and ranting. Ashley started to cry so hard she started to puke. It was a lovely "neighbors" moment.
We came promptly back to the RV and everyone took naps. Much rejuvenated we headed out to do one of the three hikes we had planned. We went up to Fairy Falls. The first mile was a normal dirt maintenance trail and the mid canyon geyser was in sight the whole time. We saw two elk lying up on the hill. It was perfect temperature. Then about a mile in it turned to traditional, but wide trail in the middle of the forest (burnt trees, but lots of new growth). It started to get a little more dark as clouds rolled in and the mosquitos came out in full force. We never put on bug spray and were eaten alive, but we marched on. Ashley had to go poop, but refused to use the "outdoors". We were going to turn around, but new we were close so we marched on. Sure enough just around the corner were the falls. They were great and we got face to face with a marmot.
We knew it was late and storm clouds were moving in so we headed out. We got about 20 minutes from the falls and it started to thunder and lightning really bad. Ashley and Laurie were pretty freaked so we picked up the pace. Another .25 mile out and it started to rain pretty good. It rained on us all the way back to the main road (about .5 mile or more). Everyone was wet and soaked. I had to carry Noah on my shoulders to keep pace with everyone. When we turned the corner it stopped raining and the most beautiful (and close) rainbow appeared. One of it's ends touched down on the geyser in front of us. Sorry there is no gold at the end of the rainbow (though the site of the geyser in the rainbow was worth a million bucks). We got to the car a mile later and were greatful we made it out and loved the adventure. We peeled off the soaking clothes and headed out.
On the way back we saw our fifth or sixth buffalo for the day. We got about 30ft away from it and got good pictures. They are amazing creatures. We made it back to Grant Village and stopped at the store so Laurie could get some decaf coffee to warm up. She loves the animals and is now hooked on Buffalo since we have seen so many of them close up. Came back to camp and made hot dogs, chili and beans in the RV as camp was so wet from the rain. Did dishes and now am sitting in the back of the camper with Brittany hanging out. She is reading. I am writing. Laurie and Noah are in the top bunk. With the slant of the camper too hard to fit both our fat butts up there. Ashley is sleeping on the couch as she is afraid of her top bunk.
Hard to believe in a few hours we will be on day 7 of our trip and be half done. Tomorrow should be fun and then Sunday it is off to West Yellowstone for a few days. The mad dash back home starts. Funny how it works. No electricity is interesting. Typing by latern light is definitely interesting. Work has me stressed out. Leaving to start own venture is even more stressful... Vacation is costing a fortune, but seeing this stuff is absolutely amazing. Will have to do it again when kids get older so they can all remember it.
Stayed:
Grant Village (Yellowstone Park, WY)
Pros:
Great scenery.
Secluded.
Under $20.
Cons:
Showers on the hill.
No hookups.
Cities Seen:
Attractions Seen:
Yellowstone National Park
Old Faithful (YNP)
Painted Pots (YNP)
Fairy Falls (YNP)
Slept with Noah he was quite the snuggle bug. Everyone froze as it was only 45 degrees in the RV when we woke up. Brrrr. Too chicken to turn the heater on. Gas scares me. We made oatmeal for breakfast and got ready to go. Drove up and saw Old Faithful and Painted Pots. Then were going to go on three different hikes. Just as we were leaving painted pots the kids all started throwing fits getting into the car. Having had enough of this over the past 7 days I leaned back and smacked Noah and Brittany. Brittany had leaned forward to move Noah and I ended up whacking her right in the face giving her a bloody nose. Ashley who started the whole thing of course went unscathed. However I freaked out even more screaming and ranting. Ashley started to cry so hard she started to puke. It was a lovely "neighbors" moment.
We came promptly back to the RV and everyone took naps. Much rejuvenated we headed out to do one of the three hikes we had planned. We went up to Fairy Falls. The first mile was a normal dirt maintenance trail and the mid canyon geyser was in sight the whole time. We saw two elk lying up on the hill. It was perfect temperature. Then about a mile in it turned to traditional, but wide trail in the middle of the forest (burnt trees, but lots of new growth). It started to get a little more dark as clouds rolled in and the mosquitos came out in full force. We never put on bug spray and were eaten alive, but we marched on. Ashley had to go poop, but refused to use the "outdoors". We were going to turn around, but new we were close so we marched on. Sure enough just around the corner were the falls. They were great and we got face to face with a marmot.
We knew it was late and storm clouds were moving in so we headed out. We got about 20 minutes from the falls and it started to thunder and lightning really bad. Ashley and Laurie were pretty freaked so we picked up the pace. Another .25 mile out and it started to rain pretty good. It rained on us all the way back to the main road (about .5 mile or more). Everyone was wet and soaked. I had to carry Noah on my shoulders to keep pace with everyone. When we turned the corner it stopped raining and the most beautiful (and close) rainbow appeared. One of it's ends touched down on the geyser in front of us. Sorry there is no gold at the end of the rainbow (though the site of the geyser in the rainbow was worth a million bucks). We got to the car a mile later and were greatful we made it out and loved the adventure. We peeled off the soaking clothes and headed out.
On the way back we saw our fifth or sixth buffalo for the day. We got about 30ft away from it and got good pictures. They are amazing creatures. We made it back to Grant Village and stopped at the store so Laurie could get some decaf coffee to warm up. She loves the animals and is now hooked on Buffalo since we have seen so many of them close up. Came back to camp and made hot dogs, chili and beans in the RV as camp was so wet from the rain. Did dishes and now am sitting in the back of the camper with Brittany hanging out. She is reading. I am writing. Laurie and Noah are in the top bunk. With the slant of the camper too hard to fit both our fat butts up there. Ashley is sleeping on the couch as she is afraid of her top bunk.
Hard to believe in a few hours we will be on day 7 of our trip and be half done. Tomorrow should be fun and then Sunday it is off to West Yellowstone for a few days. The mad dash back home starts. Funny how it works. No electricity is interesting. Typing by latern light is definitely interesting. Work has me stressed out. Leaving to start own venture is even more stressful... Vacation is costing a fortune, but seeing this stuff is absolutely amazing. Will have to do it again when kids get older so they can all remember it.
Stayed:
Grant Village (Yellowstone Park, WY)
Pros:
Great scenery.
Secluded.
Under $20.
Cons:
Showers on the hill.
No hookups.
Cities Seen:
Attractions Seen:
Yellowstone National Park
Old Faithful (YNP)
Painted Pots (YNP)
Fairy Falls (YNP)