the super hike

we talked about renting canoes or kayaks for this area (Colter Bay) but then decided on taking the boat tour.
that way no one would tip, get soaked or drop oars and much less fighting would occur.
the boat tour was a good choice.

we saw a bald eagle.  🙂

hey… who is that?
oh yeah – MOM!
you know one great thing about a vacation where you hike all day and sleep in a “cozy” cabin?
no make up.
i used it once the last night when we went out with friends.  🙂
i like no make up.
a lot.

reality.
also on a vacation with lots of hiking and cabin-y things… no cell service.
so here we were out on a boat in front of the most gorgeous scenery and suddenly someone noticed that we had service!  i admit that it was even exciting to me.  but this picture of scott cracked me up.
because literally this is him.
all the time.

talby was the age where life jackets were still required.
she was thrilled about it… just kidding.

funny  kids.


“here mom… let me take a picture of you taking a picture”

we also took the hike down (all paved sidewalk ) to see Mammoth Falls in yellowstone.
CRAZY awesome.
and scary.
i don’t like heights.

it was so high.  you can’t even grasp it by the picture.

i like her.

then we drove farther and went to see where we HAD been.
so to the left of the fall you can see tiny little specs… those are people.
that where the family picture was taken.
SO HIGH!

our next hike was Cascade Canyons by Jenny Lake.
it blew my mind.
one thing i learned on th boat tour was that Yellowstone and Grand Tetons National Parks have a “let it burn” policy.
so if there is a forest fire… it is left to burn out on it’s own.
and that it is part of nature… killing off certain bugs or plant diseases.
interesting isn’t it?

so this trail obviously had experienced a forest fire.
but it made it look SO COOL!

i kept saying things like “doesn’t this look fake?”
“this looks like a movie set!”
“this can’t even be real!”
“where are the ewoks?!”
“are we going to find ET?”

a couple that did not speak english was looking at this chipmunk.
i took the picture and they asked “what do you call this?”
i said “chipmunk”
she repeated “CHIP-MUNK?”
i thought it was so funny.
it’s not but i was laughing to myself all day about it.
and still now i can’t stop smiling.
CHIP-MUNK?

it was a long hike.
according to google… 3.5 miles each way.
no wonder i was tired!

he’s a cutie.

annie was my hiking buddy for most of the time.
the boys were so fast and talby was trying to keep up with the boys.
and craig was keeping up with her.
so annie and i just went as fast as we could.

“Look Mom!  A huge heart rock!!”

this was where our hike ended.
we were ready for a break!
the kids all found ways to get in the icy cold water but not fall in.

then scott decided to take the shortcut back.
oh my.
with his phone in his pocket.

he made it.
crazy kid.

then we hiked all the way back down at hyper speed because it was about to pour.
the kids were so far ahead of us that we couldn’t see them.
the trail was almost empty… kind of eery.
i was sure a bear was going to appear in my path and i would be its dinner.
thankfully that didn’t happen.

as soon as we go to the car it did start to rain.
but we were dry!

and then the vice president and his motorcade drove by!
that isn’t something that happens every day… at least not for me.

on our last night we walked out to catch the last sunset.


sean said “mom… here’s a rock that looks like africa!”  🙂

we left Grand Teton National Park and headed to Sheridan, WY to visit some friends for one evening.
(gorgeous drive – oh my word!)
and then on sunday we drove the WHOLE way back to kansas.

to be honest… i was not looking forward to this vacation.
i just couldn’t imagine that it would be fun.
but i knew craig really wanted to go… so i halfway went along with it as he planned.
i wasn’t cheering  him on… but i wasn’t refusing.
and i am so glad i was wrong.

This was a FABULOUS vacation!!
i loved every hike.
i loved being outside.
my kids do so well with physical activity…less fighting when you are hiking.
it was so beautiful every where we went.
i highly recommend Yellowstone & Grand Tetons & colorado.
in case you were on the fence…. go for it.
you will love it.
but book your lodging now for next year because it fills up QUICK.