My family takes a yearly vacation, this year we decided Yellowstone & Jackson Hole were our destinations. Only a few hours away and we entered a different world. Yellowstone is one of the most gorgeous places I've ever been. Though, this wasn't my first time there, it was the first time I could truly appreciate, and photograph, its beauty. However I didn't get to indulge myself as much as I would have liked so a return trip is already in mind.
Through Idaho, the corner of Montana and into the west entrance we followed the Madison River past geysers, elk filled plains and rocky cliff sides until we came to the Old Faithful park. We grabbed an ice cream cone, perused the shops and watched the videos they show in their small theater while waiting for the well timed geyser. After the eruption, and much to my dismay, we began the three hour drive out of Yellowstone to Jackson, Wyoming. The ride down did somewhat appease me as it was filled with great views of many lakes, a waterfall, and the Grand Tetons.
I was teasing my parents, telling them they lied when they said there were buffalo everywhere, as that was the only large animal (that Yellowstone is famous for) that we hadn't seen. We ran into a traffic jam not far from Jackson, but not like any I was used to. A (very) large heard of bison roamed around and on the highway, causing drivers to slow and sometimes stop as they maneuvered away from them.
Finally we reached Jackson. All of us hungry, my dad, very excitedly, suggested we eat at the Gun Barrel which he had enjoyed every time he was in Jackson. I understood why as soon as I took a bite of the elk medallions I had ordered. It was delicious. Dad ordered the bison steak, which I almost stole after he let me try it, and my sister and mom both got regular beef steaks. All of our meals were amazing and well worth the price.
After a day of wandering Jackson, visiting the many shops, and getting a sugar overload, we were exhausted. We packed up the next day and headed all the way back home. (Of course, we stopped for ice cream not long after leaving.) Six hours of driving later we were home, we were tired, and our dogs were excited to us.
This is a trip I will definitely be making again, hopefully very soon. Yellowstone is a place you need to spend at least a few days in to get the most out of your experience. There is so much to see and so much to do, a few hours, even a day, wouldn't be enough for me. This time though, I think I'll plan ahead on my own and hopefully find better lodging than hotel 6- even if that means a tent, or bed of a truck.
It's August and I'm disappointed. Gradually my life is getting more routine and less adventurous. I've gone weeks now without so much as taking a drive through the mountains, unheard of in the past. How do I balance my work and my family and still find time for these ideas floating around in my head? A better question is; how do I force myself to do these things alone? I want to travel, I want to get out of my comfort zone, and I want to experience as much as possible. Some things are best done alone, sometimes that's the better part of an experience, but sometimes you just want someone to share those moments with. The key idea being, though, to not hold yourself back because there isn't someone with you. Walk alone until you meet someone on the same path.
For the 4th of July my dad, sister, cousin Tyler and I all went camping on the Skyline Drive in Fairview, Utah. As tradition, we visit the small lake town of Scofield for their holiday events each year. This was the first time I used my truck to pull anything, it was the first time I put any weight in/on my truck actually. We loaded up our fourwheeler and side-by-side and I drug them over an hour up the canyon- slowly. My dad, who was pulling our house trailer, didn't even have the patience to follow behind me, passing me long before we reached our destination. Radio up loud and dog in the passenger seat I finally reached our camp spot and helped set up. A few hours later Tyler pulled in with his own trailer and we had a mighty fine night around the fire. Saturday morning we loaded up the machines and headed for Scofield. A few miles and a face full of dust later, we enjoyed ourselves in the small town. As the sun reached the western sky we began our ride back to camp, exhausted and ready to settle down for the night.
An all day ride across the Skyline on Sunday left us dirty, sunburnt, tired and happy. My mom decided to visit our camp that night, lucky for her Tyler had been creative and made cobblers that night and Saturday night. After a sugar rush we all settled around the fire and chatted above the sound country songs. Mom headed home and we headed to bed, dreading the fact our trip was over come Monday morning.
We packed up Monday morning and hurried our for one last ride, going down a trail I'd never seen before. The view was gorgeous and I seriously regretted having left my camera at camp. I will go back there as soon as possible, camera in hand and with time to explore. The weekend over, we headed back to the valley to enjoy the firework show presented by our many neighbors, ending the holiday and returning us to our routines.
