Americana Day 4

From Billings, we drove down into Wyoming. We were going to enter Yellowstone from the east but decided to take a scenic route that went along the north side of the park. It added a bunch of time to the trip and scared the hell out of Kathy but it was a really pretty drive.

The mountains we were heading to.

When we were still in the relative lowlands, we stopped at this river with a bridge over it.

The bridge.

This is a picture of me taking a picture of Jake and Kat.

Here's the picture I was taking.

What a handsome group. Except for the old guy on the left.

As you can tell from the look on Kristins face, that snow melt it a bit cold.

Then we started driving up.

The views just kept getting more and more spectacular.

But we were also doing the switchback thing going up the mountains.

And Kathy kept getting more and more nervous.

She was definitely worse when the drop off was on her side. I was thinking that no matter what side the drop off was on, the whole car was going over. Or maybe it's just me.

On the way up, there were still snow drifts left over (This was June) and we just had to have a snowball fight.

Another 50 thousand years of erosion and we could have the Devils Tower over there.

There was a vista pull out at the top of the mountain and we got out to see what we could see. Kristin found a chipmunk to feed. I didn't have the heart to tell her about the Bubonic Plague and Rabies. And yes, she wanted to take it home for a pet.

It was kind of cute. And not a bit afraid of us.

The view, Breathtaking.

Self Shot.

Who is that old guy with the belly and wrinkles?

This is looking up towards where we are heading.

As we kept going over the mountain range (These are the mountains before getting to Yellowstone), The sights were amazing.

And we passed by a couple of 10' snow drifts. They were still skiing up there.

We were above the tree line.

Anyone for a swim.

We kept thinking of the settlers that had to cross this. Those people had balls made of steel.

Those mountains in the background are the part of the Rockies where Yellowstone is. I think.

Nobody wanted to take a dip with me in the lake. Maybe they are pretty smart.

I thought the Matterhorn was in Switzerland?

We stopped by this waterfall and found out we could climb up it.

So of course, that's what we did.

Kristin by the edge.

Kathy and I were a bit nervous because one slip.....

and you'd be gone.

So of course Kris and Jake ran up to the edge.

We had lunch here. I've got to tell you that Clark's Fork and Spoon will never be accused of being a fast food joint.

After we ate, we piled into the car and took off. I almost got out of the parking lot and onto the road when someone asked "Where's Kristin?". Yes, yours truly took off without our oldest. But the car had never been quieter. We got back to the restaurant before she came out of the bathroom. I was hoping nobody would tell her what I'd done. No luck. Jake and Jen couldn't wait to tell her. Then I heard "Thanks, Dad" for the next couple of days. So much for quite.