Since before I was born my mom's side of the family has been going to Yellowstone for Memorial Day weekend, and it's a tradition that continues today. I haven't been since I was pregnant with Stockton and Natalie was almost 1, in May 2013, and I've missed it! We decided to have our family reunion there this July and it was so fun to be there again. We always stay in West Yellowstone, often at Hibernation Station, and that's where we stayed this time too.
Is there anything more stunning than a lake with a mountain backdrop? And this is just the passing view from our car windows!
Yellowstone is just SO COOL. It feels ancient and special and rugged and homey. I love it. Claire decided she needed a break from her carseat, so she sat in the back with me for a few minutes to enjoy the scenery.
It took us about 9 hours to get there, and we all arrived around the same time even though we were coming from different places: Jack/Sara/Poulsens came from Cheyenne, Annie and Gage drove from San Diego, Max and Alissa flew into Salt Lake from San Diego and Omaha and then drove with my mom; and my dad, Sam, and Krispy got a later start because their car was having problems, so they rented a van. We all got there around 5 and unpacked and played for a little while, and then we ventured into the park (after placing our pizza order to be picked up at 9pm since we don't get service in the park and we knew we'd be hungry).
The picnic tables and playground are new since I've been here. Great additions!!
We drove up to Norris geyser basin, which I had never seen before, and it was so ethereal and beautiful at dusk! There were hardly any people there (it was like 7 or 8 o clock) and the lighting really lent itself to the ambiance of the place. We will definitely remember to do more twilight hikes/walks/excursions in the future.
Stockton loved all the signs, of course, so I took these pictures for him to enjoy throughout the trip. He was not excited about going on the boardwalk and was pretty adamant about going back to the car, but we eventually talked him into it by showing him how the path was a circle and when we finished it would lead us back to the car.
Claire foraging through the woods, barefoot as always. Getting filthy dirty and happy as a clam.
Sara and I were laughing in this picture because I totally photobombed and jumped in at the last second
Enjoying our delicious Pete's Rocky Mountain Pizza when we got back to the cabins. We ate every bite haha.
The trip started with Jack and Sara driving to Cheyenne from Omaha. They got to see little Jack's t-ball game, and it was so fun to show big Jack around Cheyenne since he hasn't been back for 20 years. It's funny the little things we both remembered (the elevator house, the playground at the little league field, the yellow pig outside the vet on Yellowstone Ave etc).
Big Jack walked to Jessup with the kids while I made dinner. He had to climb the classic cheese castles, of course!
This salmon-colored beanie baby squid has been in our family for decades. He was attacked by our dog, Peanut, years ago, and became a sort of mascot. His name is Mlelm-Mlelm (I have no idea how to describe the pronunciation hahaha) and he makes us laugh every time we see him. Jack saw him in our basement and immediately decided Mlelm needed to come on the trip.
Precious cargo: our matching Old Navy flag shirts! We wore these for a family reunion with my Aunt Jill and Uncle George years ago, and decided we needed the 2020 version for this trip.
The next morning we got up and drove west to Rawlins and then north to Yellowstone. We've never approached Yellowstone this way and it was so beautiful! We drove through Grand Teton National Park, which I've never seen, and it was completely amazing. Those craggy mountains were so impressive!!
Yellowstone in the age of Covid. Very strange.
Stockton was happy as long as he had hands to hold.
The sunset on the way back was incredible. I love me a good sunset!
PopPop was a magnet for the grandchildren, of course.
I spy Mlelm-Mlelm
We put the kids to bed and then Sam and Austin sat on the deck talking about Wheel of Time lore. They have always been pals and I am grateful for their fun relationship.
Day One was a success! The kids got their first taste of the park (and Alissa, Sara, Kristy, and Gage, who had never been to Yellowstone either) and it was already so fun to be together. Our cabins were so cozy and (too) warm and happy.
Comments
Post a Comment