Yellowstone- Day 1

We went to Yellowstone with some of Brian's family over Memorial Day weekend.  It was probably the coldest weather we've ever had on a trip to Yellowstone and we no longer need a snowmobile trip in the winter to see the park covered in snow.  Cold aside, it was a fun trip.  We did a lot of driving and not a lot of hiking (brrrr).  We saw a lot of animals, not a lot of geysers, and spent some good family time.

On our first day there, we went in with Brian's brother and his family while we waited for the rest of the crew to show up.  With a break in the clouds, we decided to walk around some of the hot pots.  Unfortunately, the break in the clouds only lasted long enough for us to get to the furthest end of the boardwalk before it started snowing again.  Brrr.

After the hot pots, we ran to Old Faithful for phone reception to see how far away the rest of the crew was.  That's where Eric got his first good look at a buffalo and he loved it!!!  Everyone was close so we met up for a picnic lunch then headed out to Lamar valley to hope for some animal sightings.  I was starting to loose hope as we got almost out to the NorthEast entrance when we saw my elusive moose.  In all the trips to Yellowstone, I haven't seen a moose since I was a little girl.  But here was one right off the road finally.  And just a little ways further up, there was a Grizzly digging for roots right off the side of the road as well.  Yippee.  Then on the way out of the park, we saw 6 black bear.  I call it a good Yellowstone day.  

Getting a ride from Uncle Bob

Braving the cold wind for a quick picture.  You can't see it here, but it was starting to snow, and all our heavy coats were back in the car.

Really seeing buffalo for the first time.  We couldn't get him to look forward long enough for much of a picture.

Stretching their legs during lunch. 

 

Tower Falls

Eric's cousins were so great with him during the trip.  He sure admires this guy. 

"It's cold, but it's worth it to be out of that car"

I love cranes.  Last year we had one nest in the creek across the street from our house and I loved waking up to it's calls but I never caught a glimpse of it.  When we saw this one right off the road, I made the caravan stop so I could get some good pictures.  We brought Eric over to see it and he kept pointing to it saying "bird, bird"

My Moose!!!!!