Yellowstone 2010 - Days 1 & 2

VACATION 2010 - DAYS 1 & 2

Warning: The narrative in this post will be followed by TONS of photos...don't say I didn't warn you!

When we asked BBug several months ago what she wanted to do for vacation this year, her response was "see elk and bears and wolves and o-coyotes." So that's just what we did back at the beginning of October (yes, I know I'm way behind).

We figured what better place to see all of those things than Yellowstone National Park. We loaded up, along with our good friends Uncle M and Aunt A and headed west. I was super nervous about the kids on the flights, because although BBug has flown before this would be BuddyRoe's first trip in the friendly (we hoped) skies. Despite some stomach issues due to undiluted apple juice, everyone did really well on the flights to Denver and then again to Bozeman, MT. When we arrived in Bozeman we transferred our 5 checked bags, 7 carry-ons, 2 carseats and 6 people to the rented Suburban and set off on the final hour and a half journey to West Yellowstone, MT.

The first thing we did after we got settled in was head to dinner. The lady that we rented the cabin from recommended a local restaurant called Bullwinkles. There was a decent crowd when we got there, so we figured it must be pretty good. Um...maybe not so much. It wasn't bad, but the steaks sure weren't what we're used to here. They were very lean and didn't have much flavor to them at all. At that point in the day though, we were just glad to be fed and on our way.

After dinner we walked across the street to one of the two very small grocery stores - for my family in GA, think IGA - and spent a small fortune on groceries for the week. I guess when there aren't any other options you (the grocery store) can charge whatever you want to for food! Seriously, $8 for a carton of Breyers ice cream!!

Once our bellies and the refrigerator were full we all hit the sack for a good night's sleep in preparation for our first day in the park!

When we woke up the next morning we ate a good breakfast at the cabin and then packed up everything we would need for lunch and snacks. See, I told you before I'm cheap thrifty! Then it was off to Yellowstone!

The first day was amazing! It truly is a "different world" out there. I know that all of God's handiwork is amazing, but seriously, this place is take-your-breath-away stunning! I was so excited that NahNah (my mom) let me take her (way better than mine) camera with me! On the first day we drove the southern loop (Yellowstone's major roads form like a figure-eight) and saw tons of animals, the Fountain Paint Pots, Old Faithful - although we didn't see it erupt on the first day - Old Faithful Inn, Yellowstone Lake, the Upper and Lower Falls and so much more! We didn't spend a lot of time at any one thing, but I think that was best with the kids.

I really can't put in to words the awe that I was in out there, so I'll just spend the rest of the post sharing pictures from those first couple of days. And I'll warn you again, there are a lot of pictures!! Also, when I upload the pictures, they get out of order and I'm just too lazy to go in and rearrange them, so out-of-order they will be!!