Yellowstone or Bust!

This summer we decided to take Claire to Yellowstone National Park and our friend Jaime was crazy enough to join us on our 12 day trip through 5 states and 3 national parks!

Day One: Jaime arrives and we leave straight from the airport and head to Dubios, WY where we spend our first night in a KOA cabin (why yes that is the biggest elk in the US, behind Jaime and Claire)

  

Day Two:  We took a tram ride in Jackson Hole and and enjoyed the amazing view and some yummy waffles at the top before driving through Grand Teton National Park to Yellowstone to establish our camp for the week.

On the tram

Enjoying the wonderful waffles at the top

Beautiful Chapel in Grand Teton National Park

Day Three:  What is a trip to Yellowstone without a visit to Old Faithful? As usual Yellowstone wildlife did not disappoint and we were able to see Elk, Buffalo, a jack rabbit and a mother bear and her cub all on our first day at Yellowstone. We also crossed the border into a small town in Montana before heading back to visit Mammoth Hot Springs and escorting some buffalo down the road that night (probably one of the coolest things ever!)

Old Faithful

Mammoth Falls

Day Four: We took in the beauty of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and took the Uncle Tom's trail down to the bottom of the falls. Claire was a trooper and did almost the entire hike by foot- all 300+ stairs! 

Day Five: We checked out some of the smaller geyser areas of the park, but the wind got the best of us and we ducked into another part of Montana to grab some ice cream and on the way back we were treated to a herd of buffalo and another eruption by Old Faithful.

Claire is a budding photographer

Day Six: Norris Geyser Basin, Paint Pots and West Thumb Basin.

Day Seven: Finally on our 3rd attempt the weather cooperated and we were able to see Grand Prismatic in all it's glory before heading out of the park and onto to Arco, Idaho through Idaho National Laboratories. 

Day Eight:  We enjoyed a guided tour through Craters of the Moon and then explored a few caves on our own before driving to Montpelier, Idaho to spend a night in a teepee.

Day Nine: Another day in the car as we drove by Bear Lake and crossed in Utah. We stopped at a local dairy for some cheese curds, enjoyed a diners and drive in stop at the Red Iguana before explore the Mormon Temple Square.  We then took in a ski jumping expo at Park City Olympic Park before moving onto to Provo for the night.

Day Ten:  Drove from Provo to Moab, Utah -where we enjoyed some soccer and some rest and relaxation at the cabin.

Day Eleven: Took in the beautiful Arches National Park including a sunset hike to Delicate Arch.

Day Twelve: Sadly headed home through the beautiful mountains of Colorado. 

We were fortunate and Jaime stayed through the Fourth of July Holiday, which due to the wildfires did not involve fireworks but did involve the traditional Highlands Ranch Parade after Yoga in the Park.