Yellowstone - the grand finale!

On the last day we made our way up north to Mammoth Hot spring, first stopping at Canyon village for lunch.   We were able to find a parking spot at lower falls so we could take a glimpse at the gorgeous waterfall.  Nature never ceases to amaze me.  I have seen some amazing national parks in my life, but each time I visit a new location my breath is taken away.  Our beautiful planet has the ability to momentarily take all my cares away.  All my worries, fears, and stress are almost washed away as I gaze over a vista, wade through a river, or hike through a forest.  Very few experiences on earth are as life changing to me as time spent in nature with my family.

After Canyon village we made our way up to the Mammoth Hot springs area.  I knew Yellowstone was large, but I underestimated the time it would take to drive from one location to the next.  Luckily our camp ground was located near the center of Yellowstone, but we still had to drive hours each day and had to carefully plan our itinerary so we could make the most out of our limited time.  Mammoth Hot Springs was not the most scenic or breath taking location, but I had one of the most memorable experiences here.  Before we arrived to Yellowstone, I made sure to carefully research and plan what I wanted my family to experience.  One of the places I really wanted to take my boys to was boiling river where the cold Yellowstone river combines with hot thermal runoff.  A warm thermal swimming hole is created and I knew my boys would really enjoy it.   We found a nice natural tub next to a small hot waterfall that didn't have any people in it.  It was a perfect spot for kids to play.   RIGHT next to us was a beautiful female elk grazing in the grass, and behind us was the Yellowstone river.  Not only was this experience fun and unique, it was also scenic and relaxing.  On the way back to the car I spotted a male elk on the other side of the river with three or four female elk crossing the river.  I cannot explain the excitement and happiness that filled my soul at the sight.  I only had my cell phone but I took a bunch of pictures and videos (I even got two of the male bugling!)  Jason ran to the car and brought me back my DSLR so I was able to snap a few really nice pictures before the elk crossed the stream and disappeared up the side of the hill.  I live in an area where I frequently see deer, but there was something so magical and fascinating about seeing these elk in a national park.  They were stunning, and it was one of the many highlights of the trip for me.

The female elk next to us at the swimming hole 

That water fall was hot water!  

Our view from the swimming hole 

Inches to the left was freezing cold, and inches to the right was boiling hot.  We had to find the right spot for the perfect warmth 

Jason giving me the stink eye for taking his picture 

Our own "private" hot tub

 

Nature's hot tub 

Mammoth Hot Springs

This was the boy's seventh (ish) junior ranger badge

After a long day we drove back to Canyon Village to eat dinner.  We went inside a cute cafe only to realize it was closing, so we walked next door to a cafeteria style food center where we decided to have dinner.  As we were looking at the menu, I realized Blake was not there.  I didn't immediately worry because Blake is my free-range, wild spirited child.  He is independent and wandering away is not a new phenomena for him.  Blake usually won't go too far so I figured he was around the corner looking at the dessert, or talking to the cashier.  After doing a quick search I couldn't find him.  Still not too worried, Jason decided to check the bathrooms as I continued looking.  After asking a few people if they saw a little red head in the food center (no one had), it was apparent he was not in the dinning hall (which was huge).  Jason said he wasn't in the bathroom, and that is when I started to panic a little bit.  Images of a foreigner taking off with my child started racing through my head.  What if someone grabbed my little red head, stuffed him in a car, and took off?! They could be miles away by now and we would never find him!!  What if he wandered into the forest?! (Rationally, I know he would not do that, but my mind started thinking of all sorts of scary scenarios).  How would we ever find him at night in the middle of Yellowstone?! After looking up and down the dinning center, Jason decided to look outside while I stayed nearby and alerted some employees.  After a few minutes Jason came back with a very emotional little Blake.  Apparently he was in the first restuarunt we visited.  We must have walked out without realizing he wasn't with us!  Poor guy!  An employee found him and waited with him.  They were going to alert the park rangers, but luckily Jason discovered him in time.  I gave him a huge hug and told him how sorry we were.  He said, "Mommy! I was so scared I had a heart attack!!" Other than that scary experience, Yellowstone turned out to be an amazing vacation - one of my favorite National Park trips so far.  It was a much needed break from the stresses of life, and I'm excited to go back again someday!