Yolostone, Day Threeee

Max, Alissa, Sam, and I left at 5 in the morning to go find a spot to watch the sunrise in Yellowstone. It was a mix of reverence for the awe-inspiring beauty around us and laughter at our ridiculous antics. I am so glad we got up to do this together! We set up chairs on the hillside but then wanted to actively enjoy the sunrise so we hiked around this foggy river valley and up on the bridge.

Max and Alissa down by the river around 20 minutes before sunrise

Elk were having a little drink on the other side of the road. We saw them slink off into the woods across the river.

It was pretty chilly and Sam and I found blankets in the back of my mom's van (which we were driving). We were wrapped in them the entire time and it was extremely cozy despite looking ridiculous.

Alissa found a picnic blanket haha

The mist was so cool coming off the river! You could see it all around coming up in the mountains and along the valleys.

We have laughed so hard about these pictures of Sam and I walking in our blanket shrouds through the brush, and then me opening the blanket like wings to try to catch up to Sam. Max kept saying we looked like the creatures from The Village hahaha.

We had an awesome time. Very very memorable! I will always try to get up for the sunrise when we travel to beautiful places. And the sunset!

On the way home we spotted an elk right on the river next to a pullout. His antlers were so velvety and fuzzy and majestic. So cool.

I got home and had this happy crew waiting for me! We had breakfast and then loaded up for another day in the park.

We went on this beautiful hike up to a waterfall with green meadows and full forest all around. The mosquitoes were horrible but the scenery was amazing. Some of the most beautiful I've seen in Yellowstone.

Claire of course had no shoes and wanted to walk the whole way. She and I stayed back in one of the meadow areas when Claire wanted to explore a little more, and my family got enough ahead that I couldn't see or hear them and it was just Claire and I. It felt very peaceful and isolated and one with nature.

Claire could have stayed here all day. I think she is fulfilled by nature, like me.

The waterfall was bubbly and cold and clear. It was fun to go out there on the log with Jack.

We got back from the hike and drove to a parking lot where we had arranged to meet with the rest of the group to caravan up to Mammoth Hot Springs. The following pictures are out of order but they feature the boardwalk by the springs, our picnic in the little town with elk roaming freely, and some more pictures from the waterfall hike earlier.

oops, these Old Navy pictures are actually from the day before at Old Faithful

Mammoth Hot Springs was another place I haven't been to until this trip. It was kind of on the other side of the park and looked like melted candle wax. Very cool!