Yellowstone- Concluding our trip

The first night at our rental in West Yellowstone we could hear cheering. I quickly figured out it was coming from the rodeo that was only about a mile away. I got online and bought tickets since we had never been to a rodeo. 

Ella, Paige, and I went to the rodeo while Adam stayed back to rest. This trip was exhausting, and I think he just needed some time to unwind. We didn't want to miss out so we went without him. 

It was a beautiful night, but the dust in Montana is crazy. There was also ash falling from the sky since their was a wildfire within about an hour and a half of where we were. 

The sun was setting when the rodeo started.  It was so so pretty. Montana is a beautiful state. I'm not sure I could live there, but I sure loved visiting. 

They did all kinds of stuff at the rodeo. I can't remember some of the technical terms they used but they did barrel racing, bull riding, roping, and team roping. It was highly entertaining, and we all enjoyed it. I had no clue we would get to go to a rodeo while we were there. Paige loved it so much she wanted to go again the next night. 

Bull riding was our favorite. There is no way I would get on a bull, but it was fun to watch. 

This girl was Ella's age or maybe younger. She did a good job riding that horse. 

I was amazed by the people who came off of the bull and landed on their feet. I'm sure that takes years of practice. It was a great night at the rodeo!

The following day was our last day at Yellowstone. We had planned to go home Saturday but since we fit in everything that was planned we were able to go home a day early. We were definitely ready since we had already been gone over a week. 

West Yellowstone is exactly what you would picture a western type town to be. It was a cute small town that we enjoyed. I liked Jackson more, but West Yellowstone was a cute little, touristy type town. 

We headed to Grand Canyon of Yellowstone for our last stop. This is what I wanted to see the most, and we definitely saved the best for last. It was in the opposite direction on Grand Loop Rd.  so we were able to see some different scenery. I spotted an elk, and this huge buffalo right off the road. Yet again, it was just laying there minding it's own business. It's tail was wagging so I think it was pretty happy. We sat there for awhile in the car taking pictures, and it never even looked over. 

Once we made it to the parking lot Adam let Paige and I out while he and Ella parked. We walked directly across the street from the parking spot and stood there a good ten minutes waiting. I just assumed Ella was putting on her shoes, because she moves at the speed of a slug. After awhile Paige and I went to the car to check, and they were gone. We walked around for a good ten minutes looking for them and never found them. We each went our separate ways just so we didn't waste time. 

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone was just as impressive as I imagined. It's the most impressive thing I have ever seen in my life. It's one of those things you have to see at least once in your life! 

I could not get over it. It's seriously beautiful. 

The only good thing about being split up was seeing two different things. We went in opposite directions so Adam and Ella got this nice view. I heard Ella was about dead from walking up hill and was not afraid to be vocal about it. Lol!

Paige and I went a different way to go to the lookout right where the water is pouring over. It was 600 feet downhill which doesn't sound terrible...until you walk back up. Trying walking uphill with a six year old that is complaining the entire time. Ha! Totally worth it for the view! 

All smiles before we walked back uphill! 

I can't even explain how pretty it was there. I hope to get to go back someday. 

Once we made our way uphill we found Ella and Adam sitting in the car waiting on us. Who knows how long they had sat there. I'm just glad they didn't disappear like Paige thought they had. 

It was lunchtime so we stopped and ate at the General Store in Canyon Village. I seriously love the general stores in Yellowstone. They had a grill at this one so we got our food and ate outside. It was so nice out that we didn't even get hot sitting right in the sun. The weather there is the best! 

On our way back we stopped at Gibbons Falls. It was pretty but not as impressive as Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. 

I wish we had stuff like this in Indiana. 

I had to get a picture of the four of us on the way out of Yellowstone to commemorate our trip so we stopped by the water. We went ahead and put our feet in just because the water felt so good. 

WE CAME, WE SAW, WE CONQUERED!!

I'm shocked at how well this trip went. Of course there was whining, crying, and complaining but that was all to be expected. We drove 22 hours there which took two days and almost 24 hours home which took another two days. This was a trip of a lifetime, and I'm so thankful that we did it. It came at a much needed time, and we went home feeling refreshed. Tired but refreshed! I'm so thankful for the time we had together and memories made. Time to start thinking about where we will go next!! 

Yellowstone - Day 2

We were up bright and early for our first full day in Yellowstone. I had three things on my list that we had to see while we were there and anything else was just a bonus. 

Adam wasn't thrilled to be up early and moving, but he did it anyway. I thought getting up early would be a good way to avoid traffic and lines at the entrance, but I was wrong. I think everyone had the same idea. We eventually got in and moving. 

 

We encountered some traffic at an unusual spot and when this happens you can almost guarantee it's because of wildlife. I was so excited to see a buffalo wandering down the road. These things are SLOW and could care less about anything. They just go about their business. 

This dude was HUGE! I was freaking out and about ready to take out anyone who got in my way of taking pictures. ;) 

It was a beautiful morning at Yellowstone. We had THE BEST weather the entire vacation. 

Our first stop that morning was Grand Prismatic Spring. 

Paige and I did some waiting while Adam and Ella parked the car. Parking lots were packed everywhere we went and had to park down the main road again. 

It was really cool to see this hot water running into the stream. 

The first geyser we came upon was Excelsior Geyser. Once you have seen one you have seen them all, but they were still neat to look at it. 

The most impressive, most beautiful geyser was Grand Prismatic Spring. The colors were unreal. There was an overlook to see it from above, but it was quite the hike to get to. I don't think Paige was up for it that day, but I would have loved to have seen it. 

I was asked to wear a GPS tracker that day for research so that's what is hanging off my backpack. 

There were buffalo tracks right by the geyser which was so cool. 

Look at the colors!! So gorgeous! 

Next stop on our tour of Yellowstone was Old Faithful. We arrived shortly after it had erupted. It erupts every 90 minutes give or take 8-10 minutes. This gave us time to go in the General Store and eat lunch. I loved the general store. It had all kinds of great Yellowstone souvenirs. 

We headed over to old faithful with about 20 minutes to spare. There were people everywhere. 

We sat right in front of people sitting on the bleachers. Of course we encountered a "Karen" but oh well. It was an awesome sight to see. 

I found this on a website about Old Faithful: Thermal features change constantly and it is possible Old Faithful may stop erupting someday. Geysers and other thermal features are evidence of ongoing volcanic activity beneath the surface and change is part of this natural system. Yellowstone preserves the natural geologic processes so that visitors may continue to enjoy this natural system.

I am so glad we were able to enjoy it in person!

That was all we could handle that day so we headed out since we were going to the West Yellowstone Rodeo that night. I spotted this buffalo through the bushes so Adam pulled over so I could get pictures. It was just laying there minding it's own business. I would of course never go bother it or get close, but they do not seem to care about people at all.