Yellowstone Day 3

On our last full day at Island Park/Yellowstone, Kae and I started off our day by going on a little kayaking trip.  The morning started off peaceful and going down the river was beautiful, we were hoping to see some wildlife that others had seen, but we unfortunately didn't.  We did however enjoy looking at all the cool cabins along the way.  By the time we reached the end of the river however (it ended at a damn) the wind started picking up so we turned around to hurry back before it got worse.  Well we didn't make it very far before the winds really picked up and it started raining. We traveled the whole length of the river in wind and rain. It was quite the adventure, but we're strong and handled it like champs! 

After a yummy breakfast we made our way back into Yellowstone Park to see all the sights we couldn't fit in yesterday.  And you  know me I had to stop and get a picture before we started.

First stop: Upper Falls

Carson was in another car with his cousins and so they stopped and saw this beauty:

Hayden Valley:  

Dragon's mouth Springs:  the sound and steam really did make it seem like there was a dragon living in the cave!

The Mud volcano's were so cool to look at.  Unfortunately the sulfuric acid was really doing a number on Carson's asthma and making it really difficult to breathe, so we didn't stay too long.

and to cap off the day we went to the lookout at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.  There was about a mile hike to the rim of the falls and Logan wasn't having it so I stopped and waited with him while the rest of our group hiked down.  After waiting about 10 minutes Logan decided he didn't want to wait and that he wanted to continue hiking and then he basically ran down the mountain with me.  He was such a good trooper!

Made it to the lookout.
It looked straight out of a magazine! So breathtakingly beautiful.  It sure was the perfect way to end our day in the park.

Ahh Yellowstone you sure were a sight to see!  Thank you for letting us partake in your beauty! 

And then we greeted with this gorgeous sunset back at the cabin!! Nature was sure making it difficult for us to say goodbye!

(on the kayaks: Brad, Carson, Tanner and Mason)

kids did a little craft:

It was the perfect place for a family reunion. 

Goodbye Island Park! The Clarks sure had a great time!!

Yellowstone Day 2

We started our day early so we could beat some of the crowds and as we were driving out of Island Park I happen to look out the car window to a dirt trail leading into the mountains and saw two bears!  I was the only one who saw it, so my mother in-law made Brent turn the car around to go see them, and I'm so glad we did!  We saw two beautiful brown bears. We didn't drive up too close so we didn't scare them, but we did see them for a few minutes.  Then they paused looked right at us and one even got on his hind legs, before they ran off into the mountains. Ten minutes into our drive and we didn't even enter Yellowstone and we had this amazing experience.  It was a great way to start the morning.

Then first thing into the park we encountered this guy.  He even walked right in front of our car!  Going early was definitely worth seeing these majestic animals out and about, because really after this we didn't see too much more wildlife.

First stop: Hike to see Grand Prismatic spring from above (you can walk around this geyser and get a close up view, but we thought it would be more impressive to see all of it from above).

Sneak peak through the trees:

the other boys ran off ahead, so it was just us and Carson for this picture

isn't it beautiful?

Next up Old Faithful: but first lunch.

at the picnic tables near Old Faithful they had this amazing little tee pee in the woods.  The  kids were having a blast playing and discovering everything in the woods.  I loved it.

There were even these teeter totters!  Seriously boy heaven right here.

Mr. Mountain Man

Park Rangers showing the kids the different kinds of animals in the park

Now this is how I remember Yellowstone.  Walking on these boardwalks looking at all the different geysers.

Isn't it just breathtakingly beautiful?

This one was my favorite

Ending our day in the park by enjoying some yummy ice cream!

It was a fun day in Yellowstone, but it was also nice to come inside and relax.  Plus Logan finally held baby Maya (he hadn't wanted to before because he didn't want to get spit up on)

and you can't stay at a cabin and not cook smores.  Even if we did get eaten alive by mosquitoes.

Just so pretty!

The boys couldn't get enough kayaking.  They were in heaven.

To end the night we did some face masks.

and then this adorable exchange with Ava.  I just love how she says Tanner name!

It was a fun filled day and we were excited to do it all again the next day!