catching up- 6/26--6/29

So it's Friday, June 29th and I finally have internet, so I can update the blog at last. Since Monday we're been quite busy. We spent Tuesday driving from West Yellowstone, MT to the Grand Tetons National Park in Wyoming stopping at the Yellowstone Grand Canyon along the way. Tuesday and Wednesday nights we stayed at Colter Bay Campground in Grand Tetons National Park, so we were without water and electric hookups. It was nice and shady there and we were right near Jackson Lake which made for some beautiful scenery. We visited Jackson Hole, Wyoming on Wednesday afternoon to do some shopping and sightseeing. Then Thursday we relocated to Gros Venture Campground at the bottom of Grand Tetons National Park and went horseback riding in the foothills of the Park. Today was another exciting day! We went whitewater rafting on the Snake River. A first for all three kids! The water was pretty cold- only 45 degrees, but it was a lot of fun, just wish the rapids could've been a bit bigger! Tonight we're in Bear Lake, Idaho and it's off to Salt Lake City tomorrow where we'll be spending the weekend.





Some pics from our whitewater adventure:
http://snakeriver.elevationimaging.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=373660&item=373664&ps=1&start=3&template=fullsize

http://snakeriver.elevationimaging.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?item=373661&type=store&category=373660&ps=2&start=0&template=fullsize

further adventures in yellowstone

So today we spent the day in Yellowstone again. Took a scenic drive by the Firehole Falls which made for lots of pictures, then we stopped at the Fountain Paintpots where we were able to walk around and view lots of small hot springs. The biggest attraction of the day...Old Faithful, which we were able to see go off twice. The first time wasn't as spectacular due to the strong wind, but the second time it shot up pretty high! Provided for lots of pictures. All in all it was a good day, saw more elk and bison, and got back to the campground in enough time so that Emily and Zach could go to the pool.

the beauty of the outdoors

Today we drove from Bozeman, MT to West Yellowstone, MT 6 miles outside of Yellowstone National Park. We checked in to the campground, had lunch and then headed into the Park for some more sightseeing. Saw lots of bison, elk, and deer, as well as many hot springs. Artist Paintpot was really neat, and Mammoth Springs was beautiful. Tomorrow we're going back to Yellowstone and hoping to go on a horseback ride through there in the afternoon!

scenic drive

Slept in a little this morning and then got up and ready for our day trip- a scenic drive through Shoshone National Forest and Yellowstone going through Montana and Wyoming. The weather was beautiful, not too hot and clear skies so it allowed for lots of great pictures of the beautiful landscape; snow-capped mountains, mountain lakes, green tree covered mountains, and lots of beautiful views across valleys between mountains. The road we took snaked through the mountains and made switchbacks back and forth climbing up to over 10,000 feet elevation. Stopped to play in the snow in Wyoming and for a short climb for an even better view. In Yellowstone the wildlife was everywhere, as we were able to see a bear, antelope, deer, lots of bison, coyotes, and an elk and most within relatively close range. If that was a preview of what's to come when we actually camp in Yellowstone, we can't wait!