7/2/23

So much change so quickly! Can't imagine what's running through your mind as Colombia gets so close! We just got back from Yellowstone last night, and for all my stressing and second guessing over cold weather, long drive, and missing things, we had SUCH A GREAT TRIP!! The weather could not have been better--little bit of rain, but cooled things off, and nights/ mornings were cold, but our sleeping bags stayed cozy warm, and it just made the hot cocoa taste that much better. (Trek was great preparation for me to get into work hard/survival mode, so that every good thing that came seemed extra luxurious!). Had pres mtg Monday, where Joan brought out a slice of good cheese, then homemade ice cream and watermelon to help us through the long hours; ran to the temple, violin, and shopping after morning tennis/soccer practices on Tuesday, and spent so much time getting packed and organized. We set up the tent Monday to check everything out, and Lucy and Jane spent the night in it as a test run. We finished packing Wednesday and left for Idaho Falls once Dad got home. Had a little visit w/ G&G that night, and left the next morning for the park. We started with Norris Falls, then were so happy to have a nice wooded campsite since many were just in open fields. We went over to Yellowstone Lake (close to our campground) where the girls dipped their feet in & heard a ranger talk on Bears, then on recommendation, hiked a muddy but gorgeous trail through Hayden Valley (seriously looks like HEAVEN valley every time we drove through) to BRIGHT turquoise Clear Lake, and ended at some cool hotpots before turning around. We saw buffalo right out there in the field with us (Jane was in heaven!) and even a rabbit in the woods. As we got to the hike I realized one of my running shoes that I had thrown in after my run in Idaho Falls that morning was GONE!!! I was so sad thinking of all the places it could've fallen out, but could do nothing until we drove back to camp and retraced our path. For the hike, I squished into a pair of Emily's old running shoes, and tried not to let my missing shoe ruin the whole trip. We were hungry and worn out enough after the hike to head back to camp, and as we were pulling into the parking lot of the store I bought s'mores stuff from, Anne spotted in the Vistor Center parking lot next door, AN ORANGE SHOE ON THE SIDEWALK!!!!!--we pulled around, and sure enough, hours later, there it was! I was SO amazed and grateful!!!! We had dinner and s'mores at our campsite, and then the girls and I went to explore the marina (our campground was Bridge Bay of Yellowstone Lake). The next morning we got up and went over to see the breathtaking canyon area and Upper and Lower Falls, then drove up around the northern loop to Mammoth Hot springs (now pretty dried up), did a little hike up to Wraith Falls, and the kids all passed off another Jr Ranger badge. As we came back for dinner that night, there was a BLACK BEAR RUNNING THROUGH THE CAMPGROUND, AND IT CAME RIGHT IN FRONT OF OUR VAN!!!! as 3 Rangers were trying to keep people from approaching and following the bear out of a peopled area. WHAT EXCITEMENT!! Jane was sad I didn't bring honey to attract the bears, and wanted to sleep outside to cuddle with them, but we did not need anything--there were SO MANY ANIMALS!!! Buffalo GALORE, a coyote walking along the road near us, a fox, and MANY bear sightings!! (I've never seen bears in ANY of our other trips!). It was pretty incredible! We all fell asleep pretty early that night, and I loved exploring the next morning--running by the lake where I was all but next to a dear munching breakfast, and gorgeous forest all around. We packed up camp and headed to Old Faithful, where we barely missed it going off, so we hiked around the other hot pots and smaller geysers in the area while we waited. There is a lookout point for Old Faithful on the mountain behind, and we got up there, but had about 15 minutes to wait, so decided to get back down to see it close up. But Faithful is no longer the best word to describe, because it went off EARLY, and we barely missed it AGAIN!--ah well, at least that's one we've all seen before, and it was nice to have it cool enough to enjoy the hikes we did that have always seemed too hot and miserable to try before. Because it was Saturday and PACKED, we just headed on out of the park after that, and got home just in time to pick up some of Tiff's wood fired pizzas she was selling that day, and actually had the energy to unpack and clean out all the van. A week of just JAW-DROPPING BEAUTIFUL surroundings, and the first time we haven't had to take a stroller or hiking backback! I'm SO glad we were able to make it and enjoy such good time together (only one time I was worried for our camping neighbors having to put up with yelling girls). It's so strange how every family trip is such a different dynamic as everyone grows--so many moments reminded us of past trips. It is a lot of work (Dad drove nearly 700 miles the whole trip!), and plenty exhausting, but life and this earth are SO FULL OF GOODNESS. Glad for moments we have to soak that up. Love you tons, Mom