Last Trip For the Summer

We love going up to Brad's family's cabin in Island Park each summer, but when planning this year we decided to do it earlier than normal so we did not have issues with me being pregnant.  So we planned a trip with our friends, Doug and Natasha and their two boys, and went up from June 14-17.

Going up in June was really nice because it was much cooler than when we typically go up in July.  Doug and his family have never been to Yellowstone so we went into Yellowstone on Friday.  With two little boys (4 and 18 months) it made the trip a little interesting because they would get restless and bored pretty fast.  We stopped at a few geysers, saw Old Faithful blow, and saw LOTS of animals (elk, a grizzly bear, bison, and antelope).  After a half day in Yellowstone, the boys were done, so we went back to the cabin.

Brad loves to fish in Island Park, so he and Doug brought their fishing stuff.  Doug thought his 4-year-old would enjoy it too, so they took him to the kiddie pond after we got back from Yellowstone.  I stayed behind at the cabin (as fishing bores me) while everyone else went.  Not 10 minutes later did Natasha come back inside carrying her 18-month-old who was drenched from head to toe.  He is a fast little guy who loves to climb on everything and destroy everything he touches.  Apparently she had turned around for a second and he dashed straight into the pond ending in a face plant.  I'm sad I missed it because it sounds pretty funny.  Natasha rescued him right away of course.

Saturday morning, Brad and Doug went fishing, just the two of them.  While they were gone, Natasha and I spent the morning doing our best to entertain the boys.  When Brad and Doug finally came back, we headed into West Yellowstone were we went to a Bear/Wolf Preserve.  Brad and I had never heard of this place, but basically it houses animals that are unable to live in the wild (usually due to injury).  We got to see lots of grizzly bears, wolves, and some birds (bald eagle, a hawk, an owl, and 2 golden eagles).  We learned that golden eagles will attack deer (these birds are massive) and that one of the wolf packs in Yellowstone specializes in hunting bison.  Crazy.  After this adventure, we walked around a few stores in West Yellowstone, but once again did not stay too long before one of the 4-year-old was done.

Sunday we went and looked at Big Springs, where the Henry Fork of the Snake River starts, and a cabin that was built by this 4'11" guy back in the 1800's.  Doug loved it because of all the intricate work and really chatted up with the volunteers at the house learning all about it.  It was pretty funny.  After this, we split off and headed our separate ways back home.  Brad and I were able to visit my little sister in Rexburg and then make it back home in time for Father's Day Dinner.

I say it's the last trip of the summer because as it was, I did not do a whole lot of activity in Island Park because it was easier to stay sitting in the cabin/car.  And while the temperatures were in the 60's, it could still get a little warm if you were in the sun.  Needless to say, I will not be going on any more trips until after this baby comes.  I'm glad we were able to go on one last trip and enjoy the beautiful Island Park.