Can you blow out Old Faithful?

Date: July 12, 2008
Weather: Freezing- literally at night, but can keep warm by the sulfuric gysers
Health: no dysentery thanks to bean burgers and bison jerky
Morale: Getting a little tired of setting up camp.. but looking forward to exploring Yellowstone….
Food: Old Faithful Pale Ale from Teton Brewery
Current location: Yellowstone National Park
Next Landmark: Cody, WY
Miles Traveled: approx. 2900

Note- entries are a little dated due to the lack of internet access in Yellowstone...

We drove between Grand Teton and Yellowstone national park. It was beautiful and it’s amazing how much the landscape can change so quickly. We set up camp on the West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake, which is enormous. Jess caught up on the mounds of laundry while Ro took a long needed nap.

We ran off to catch Old Faithful with a social butterfly of a baby talking to every tourist he saw. The Old Faithful Inn was amazing to see and as we waited for Old Faithful to put on it’s show… we became neglectful parents as Ro toppled backwards off the deck into the sand around it. I love it when they look at you like what are you doing talking on the phone when your child is running around Old Faithful?!? Anyone ever had that moment? Throughout Old Faithful’s eruption, Ro kept trying to blow it out screaming “hot hot”.

We finished off the evening with dinner at the lodge then headed to see the mineral springs.



The night was so cold Ro ended up shacking up in our sleeping bag and kicking us through the night. Despite all the clothes that were layered on him, he still needed some extra warmth….


We decided to do up Yellowstone the old fashioned way- by driving the loop. We first ate lunch at the Old Faithful Inn. It was yummy, especially after many meals at the campsite. Ro insisted on his own back-pack…. Thanks Aunt Amanda and Uncle Nick….


The loop took us around the whole park and along the way we saw bison, elk, moose, and bear. Ro did his best to help spot some "big game". He became great at spotting bison.. or horsies as he would call them...




We made some new friends along the way at the west entrance and Ro had a chance to play and hang out with…. They had a great time playing in the telephone booths at the West Entrance. As they ran around on a wild sugar ice cream high, they paid little attention to the elk running around them....






We also hiked the Yellowstone Grand Canyon to get a glimpse of the upper and lower falls. They were beautiful and the switchbacks were a nice bit of exercise.



Ro tried his best to catch some fish in Yellowstone Lake, but was only able to catch weeds. He spent the morning practicing casting into our fire pit and fell into the fire pit once or twice. Thanks Ouma and Oupa for the fishing pole!



There has never been a dirtier baby. Who thought you could be so dirty that your binky would leave a ring of dirt around your mouth???? It’s true! Here’s proof:

PS- Thanks Grandma, Grandpa, and Lisa for the book and dvd- they've kept me really occupied in the car......