Yellowstone June 2013

Ryan and Samantha and their family are developing a tradition of an annual trip to Yellowstone Park.  This year, once again, they were nice enough to invite a couple of older people to accompany them.  We were glad to be the ones to go.  I've been to Yellowstone Park many times in my life.  There are reasons for this.  Number one, it's close by and we don't have to travel forever to get there.  Number two.  The entire trip, coming and going as well is a wonderland of nature, especial in the spring of the year.  Actually, it is at any season of the year, different, but each season has its own beauty and power.  This year we saw lot's of wildlife, especially buffalo.  I'm sure it was nothing compared to what Lewis and Clark and the pioneer settlers experienced a couple of hundred years ago, but it is nice to know that some people had the foresight to preserve some of the wonders of this great nation for future generations, and that we have he opportunity to enjoy these magnificent places.  Number three:  To me, Yellowstone is at once a place for peaceful reflection and awesome contemplation, serenely beautiful and powerful beyond description.  It's no wonder the Yellowstone area was the first in the world to be designated as a National Park.

Below are a few pictures of our mini vacation earlier in the week, natural and man made memories never to be forgotten.

Annika got a great surprise when Gabrielle magically showed up while Ryan and his family were playing at the park in Jackson.  This had been prearranged by Stephen and Candice and us before we left Logan.  It was great to have Gabi with us for  few days.

This was just a small portion of the many bison we were able to see.  There were many new born calves and the entire herd seemed to be in better shape for this time of the year than I have experienced for quite a long time, probably a function of a less than normally severe winter season and the resultant earlier Spring in the Yellowstone region.

Grandkids are great.  Here are twenty percent of ours at Mammoth Hot Springs. Left to Right, Gabi. Annika and Neveah, Micah, and Tristan..  They were all so good, never fussing and always appreciative of what we were doing and seeing.  They were a joy for us to be around.

It's supposed to be spring, but we had no trouble recognizing that in some places spring has not quite arrived, even though it's June.  Here are Tristan and Micah standing near, actually under an over hanging snow bank that was considerably higher than their heads.

Mighty Beast crossing the road.  One night we got caught in a Buffalo Jam on the road along the Madison River on the way back to West Yellowstone.  It took us nearly two hours to make the fourteen my trip.  We learned at least one thing.  You can't roller skate in a buffalo herd." Nor can you drive a car.  Who wants to tangle with one of these critters?

 Tristan, almost four years old!

 Annika and Gabi, good cousin friends, budding fourth graders.

Handsome Micah, just out of first grade.

The kids got a chance to rough it by spending a couple of hours in the pool each day.  Poor little ones. NOT!!!!  They loved it.

Sam and Neveah seemed to be enjoying their vacation time too.  Samantha is always so willing to go the extra mile for her family, and even for her in-laws.  Thanks Sam!!!!!!!

What a life, just lay around in the shade and take care of the harem.  We saw quite a few elk.

 

 

Grandma Iris and Grandpa Bart with the Lower Falls in the background.

 

Annika and Gabrielle at Old Faithful.

 

Girls will be girls, or?????

Annika and Gabi stirring the pie.  Later to be a buffalo chip, I guess.

 

The falls along the Yellowstone River are always awe inspiring

 

Ryan tying a fly on the end of his line.  A vacation to Yellowstone isn't complete without at least a few hours fly fishing along the Madison or the Fire Hole Rivers.

 

Ryan, fly fishing in the half-light along the Fire Hole River.

 

Inspiring view of the geysers along the Fire Hole River at sunset.

 

THANKS RYAN AND SAM FOR INCLUDING US.  WE LOVED THE TIME WE SPENT TOGETHER!!!