pictures from yesterday....

The second part of our morning sightseeing yesterday was of Yellowstone Falls, where the Yellowstone Lake narrows back into the Yellowstone River. First photo - the last bit of the lake in the area called Hayden Valley, where it begins to narrow back into a wide, gentle river. Next photo, the upper falls, where all that gentle watere is compressed into a raging river. Then, the lower falls, which is a much bigger waterfall, flowing into the area called the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone - the part that gives the area its name. Our view was a loooong way from the falls - only a good panoramic photo could give you any idea of how vast this gorge was!


Last, but not least - the buck elk we saw on the way back to camp around dusk - just starting to rain and he had settled in the grass to rest right by the road near the Canyon Lodge. And - yes, these kids can do some laundry! It was late washing for us last night, as we had a very full day!

Right now we are coming into the north Denver area to our campground in Loveland, still have to stop to buy shrimp for supper, then the kids will be mashing potatoes to go along with that. We got our horseback trailride in this morning on the way out of the Grand Teton/Yellowstone area, near Dubois, WY. What great views we got from the backs of the horses, away from tourists and all sounds other than nature. The ride wasn't without some excitement - three of us returned to the stable on foot after Steven's saddle slid off, causing his horse to bolt, then mine and Eric's to get spooked, do a U-turn and follow suit. We all three hit the ground! Steven only got a scratch or two, Eric actually found his glasses that flew off (!) and we all might be a bit sore, but no real damage other than my sunglasses which are long gone. A great story to tell for sure!

It's been driving, driving, driving ever since. Road construction is way behind in this part of the country due to all the rainy weather, and we have been stopped for one long 30-minute delay after another as flagmen signal long lines of cars to alternate turns on a single open lane of road. Supper and sleeping bags in just a minute now!