Our off the beaten track moment

Oppsie, I didn't post any pictures of our lovely hike out in the sticks.

We followed a game trail, if that. We got trapped by a marshy area, and had to back track and hike uphill to find a way across the little stream. I'm sure it was all about the melt.

We saw a yellow-bellied marmot down a draw. We all took turns with the binocs. Craig tried to tell me it was a beaver. I didn't buy it.

When we got back to the car, I looked at the map and there were a list of animals at Yellowstone -- hence the yellow-bellied marmont.


Craig's brother said that was just a rock chuck. It's much easier to say.

They were a bit cheeky. They played hide and seek with us for a good thirty mintues.


















I loved the picture of the old burned tree with the fresh new growth. It made me think of my dad who had visited Yellowstone shortly after the fire. He was so angry that the park had been spoiled. But it is growing back, a living thing again.

Old Faithful

We arrived at Old Faithful 10 minutes before she was predicted to blow. We couldn't have timed it better.

The crowd was already starting to gather, but there were still plenty of seats to choose from on the bleachers.

She wasn't that impressive to begin with, and Craig kept teasing the boys that this was all it was.

Then she would bubble and spurt about a foot and the boys would say, "Oh, is that all?"

It seemed a whole lot of fuss over not very much.

And then she took off.

I probably didn't get a picture of the full height of the display.

She kept at it for at least a minute till she started dying down again.


Afterwards, we visited the gift shop like proper tourists. Josh wanted to see what was there. We mingled and mulled and ended up with a pocket knife for Josh and and wolf blanket for Boaz.

They were both happy to be on the way home.

Just outside of Island Park, Id, I saw two moose grazing. Craig pulled over, turned around, and got us to a good viewing spot. We got out the binocs one last time and oogled the two cows.

The only thing we didn't see was a bear. But we did spot the prints. Pretty good for just a day in Yellowstone. And, there is always the next time.

The cow elk

We saw about five cow elk -- right off the road. They were casual about the whole thing. In fact, we had to yeild as they crossed the road.

Their winter coat had not shed all the way yet. It make them look a little ratty, and uncomfortable.

They seemed happy to follow the new grass.

Craig and I were both excited. The boys were a bit tired, but willing to ooh and aah.

Josh being Josh

My camera didn't catch him at the right moment.

He wanted to be poised on the log a bit like the iconic Karate Kid crane poise.

I got him just before and just after.

Moms can't be perfect.

Anyway, he was a ninja the whole hike. He walked along the top rail of a log fence -- not the one guarding the cliff.

 He jumped off every rock that he saw. Basically he danced circles around me.

But I kept going and made it. Miracles do happen.

Upper and Lower Falls

 A look at the spray before we hiked around to see the falls.

Josh and I hiked about 3/4 of a mile to see this one. Boaz was done and hanging out in the car. Craig hung out with him. I really wanted to see it, but I was worried about the rest of my family waiting. I have decided that my lungs are pathetic. :(





Josh told me that I breath loud. I'm happy that I was at least breathing.













I thought this looked like rootbeer. The water looked brown and the little drop added just enough bubbles for the fizz.











Upper Falls. (I think) We were able to see this one from a very short walk. Boaz still sat this one out. I went back and forth a bit looking at an eagle in the nest. He didn't have all his feathers and was just sitting there unconcerned with all the attention he was getting. I needed binoculars to get a good look. Way too far away for the camera.

Morning fog and haze

 We entered the park before 8 in the morning. The temperature was hovering around freezing. The rivers were still producing fog. The clouds were low and holding everything in. It was also pretty active geothermically.

These shots are of the landscape with the haze of the geysers.

This one had a lot of activity going on. It almost looks like a fire.











Here a goose was pretending to be a statue. I'm sure he didn't think I saw him. :)

Boaz on the lookout

 Loving the binocs. Looking for what ever he could see.