Yellowstone NP

We met up with Nanette's family and Eric's parents at the Madison campground and set up camp.  Lucy had a great time with her cousins, especially when playing hide and seek around the site.  We saw a grizzly, some black bears, moose, elk, buffalo and a wolf.  Much to Lucy's dismay the price to pay was lots of time in the car.  Luckily we had lots of suckers and fruit snacks to appease her.

Lucy cheeses on her way up to Lewis Falls.

We squish and squint for a nice family shot at the falls.

The mud bubbles and pops for us at the Artist Paint Pots. 

As an aside: these are called the paint pots because the Native Americans used to paint this mud on their teepees to rid them of the smoke smell and color.  Mud as a cleanser.  How appealing, eh?

Another pot bubbles.

We saw this sign--labelled "Dangerous Ground"--at every stop.  I really like that woman's reaction to the tragedy unfolding.

Eric takes a picture of some big bulls from just across the river.  

Never mind that someone was gored a week earlier by a buffalo.  These animals don't mind you getting in their bubble!  (The elk really didn't move an inch though.)

We view Tower Falls.

I take a picture of Lucy's gorgeous eyes and beautiful face just for the fun of it.

Lucy gets released from the car seat!

She lets her hair blow free in the wind as she gets a good view of the buffalo.

Lucy and I pose for a lovely shot at another view of the Lower Falls from the North Rim.

We were relieved to see that falling off of the cliff was against the rules.  I hoped everyone had taken note before going on the hike.

Us being grateful to be Americans on Independence Day at the Upper Falls.

Happy July 4th everyone!

I pose for a 23-week shot at Dragon's Mouth just before catching a super delicious swallow of sulphur-infused hot air.

Grand Geyser knocks our socks off with it's huge eruption. (This wasn't it's highest point.)

Castle Geyser impressed us with it's 45-minute long spew.

Then it steamed for another 20 minutes after that.

I laughed and waved at the "Yellowstone-style Independence Day celebration" as it rolled past at Old Faithful.  It started with the two horses in front and ended with a fire truck following the catering truck.  Each vehicle sported flags and one had a sheet painted with "Recycle Yellowstone!"  It was stellar.

We had the opportunity to see Old Faithful several times.

Lucy was exhausted and fell asleep mid-page turn.

On Thursday, we packed up and headed back to Pinedale.