Grand Teton and Yellowstone

I grew up going on family vacations to Island Park, Idaho.  My grandpa "built" a "cabin" in the early 70's.  (I put those in quotations because the cabin is in fact a single wide trailer with a metal roof over it.)  We went there because when my parents didn't have a lot of money, they always knew they could go on vacation to Island Park for free- all it took was the gas to get there.

My favorite memories are chuck full of pine trees and geysers, so it's no wonder that I always long to take my children there every summer.  I hope that we will share some of the same great memories.

I'm excited to say that my parents are building a cabin of their own!  Construction will get under way in the middle of September.  There are many long drives to pound nails in our future, but we look forward to the work because we know the reward will be sweet.  Now my kids will get to enjoy Island Park for years to come- just like I have.

This year we vacationed with our best friends the Perkins.  They had never been, so we loved taking them to see some of our favorite places.  We rode the fairy across Jenny Lake and hiked back, saw Old Faithful and Yellowstone Falls, watched 3 wolves stalk a bison across Hayden Valley, and floated Big Springs in kayaks and my Grandpa's raft.  It was a busy and wonderful 5 days.  I miss it already!

First stop was Jackson Hole for shopping, Grand Teton viewing, fairying and hiking.  Favorite quote of course came from Annie, "Mom!  There is going to be a fairy on our boat!"

Day 2 we went to church and then floated Big Springs.  We were exhausted from our marathon day the day before and apparently I only took one picture.  Annie had fallen asleep under a little end table, but opened her eyes just as I took the shot.  We were all tired enough to sleep under a table that day...

Day 3 we shopped at West and then made it to Yellowstone!  Will wanted nothing more than to show Grace the Dragon's Mouth, so we made it to the Mud Volcano area, but not before Paigey got to experience her first Old Faithful, and we got to follow the wolves through Dallas' spotting scope.  We also snuck by Firehole Falls where I took my favorite picture of the trip of Dallas and Annie.

Day 4 we spent some time at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West.  It's incredible to see these animals up close.  We then went back into the park hoping to catch some more animals.  We didn't see any bears, but we did see some bison and huge bull elk up close.  Norris Geyser Basin and Yellowstone Falls was the grand finale.

Day 5 was cleanup and travel home.  It's noteworthy to add that Perfect Paige did indeed live up to her name- in the 6 hour drive she didn't cry at all until we were less than 5 minutes from home.