On to Yellowstone

We drove into Yellowstone where our first stop was Lewis Lake. As you can see, it was a little tricky to get to the water. The road was closed but did that stop us?n One of the many nice things about doing sanctioned scientific research for the parks is that we can go where most people can't. Wood calls the ranger station and before you know it, gates are unlocked and open. It's like magic! Our first stop was Lewis Lake, as you can see, it was still snowed in.

But did that stop us? No way, Jose! As long as there is water to be found amongst the ice, we will collect it.

(and maybe take the time to make your mark in the snow.)

We had a little picnic by lower Falls.

Rachel and Emma having a sit by Upper Falls. They said that the bench was a little lumpy and it made weird noises when they sat down on it.

Because of the unseasonably cool weather, many of the wildlife was still in the low country. On this trip, we saw a total of 11 grizzly and brown bears with and without their cubs. We saw more bears on this trip than all the previous trips the past 15 years combined.

We were all happy, honest.

One night, we stayed at the cabins at Canyon Lodge. We had a pond right outside of our room.

The kids enjoyed running around it at night and howling at the moon.

After our hike to Lost Lake, we hung out at Roosevelt Lodge to wait for Wood and Susan. We found many things to keep us entertained. There was some journal writing and listening to music...

reading...

and knitting. This project is my first foray into cables.

We pulled over and enjoyed the new viewpoint at Gibbon Falls

We found a new hike; The Specimen Ridge Trail. Officially it is called the Yellowstone River Picnic Trail, but I think that name is a little lame. Lame name or not, it was a beautiful hike with great view of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. I love hiking in Yellowstone because no matter how crowded the park is (and it is often very crowded) you just have to get on a trail that is longer than a mile and you see nary a soul.

...and of course we made the time to hang out in Old Faithful Lodge and have a yummy dinner there.

Lewis Falls on the way out of the park.

Will we come back soon? You can bet on it.