What took us so long???

We have lived in Idaho for quite a few years now, for me since January of 2005 and for Mike since May 2005. We have talked about going to Yellowstone every single year, and every single year we ask ourselves the same question, why didn't we go this year? After seven years we decided there would be no more excuses, we were going to Yellowstone!! And what better way to experience Yellowstone than with 3 people who have never been? I have been several times as a young girl but my hubby, his brother Nate and Nate's wife Mia haven't been. We invited Mia and Nate, seeing as how they live so much closer to us now that they have moved across country, Florida to Utah.

Our trip started on August 18th, before the sun even dared to give light. We made the four hour, two hundred and nine mile trip early, making it to West Yellowstone at about 10:30 (this included a stop in Rexburg to borrow a converter from my bro. Corey and donuts at Paradise Donuts...yum). We had to make another stop though, at the border of Montana and Idaho, a new state for our two Floridians.

We headed first to our "campground", if it could even be called a campground. It was an R.V. park that boasted on their website of having one tent site. It was the cheapest tent site within the city limits of West Yellowstone, so of course I reserved it (I admit it, I am cheap). Well you get what you pay for. This "tent site" was right next to the road, with all its light, noise and traffic. Oh well, it was a fun adventure, even though our sleep was not as deep as it could have been, had it not been for the ambiance of sleeping by a street in West Yellowstone.

Now that we had our tent set up, our bed blown up, and our bedding laid out, it was time for our grand entrance into the park. Here are some pictures of our adventures:

Mike and Nate hiking down a steep slope so they could get a better view of Kepler Cascades

What's a trip to Yellowstone without seeing any wildlife?

Catching Old Faithful's eruption

The four of us post eruption

Everyone around us was taking pictures by this sign, we had to do it as well:)

Quite possibly the most magnificent natural view of nature that I have ever witnessed! The artist's point view of the lower falls, in the Yellowstone Grand Canyon

Our last stop in Yellowstone, artist point of lower falls

How can one be in West Yellowtone and not visit Playmill? After we left the park, we had a small dinner at our campground and then headed downtown to window shop before the show at Playmill. We saw a musical within a play called "The Drowsy Chaperone." I was skeptical when I purchased the tickets because I'd never seen it, but we were very delighted with the show!  It was hilarious, we were laughing throughout the whole performance:)

What a great trip, we made so many good memories the four of us. Now maybe in the next 7 years we will take a family trip to Yellowstone so our boys can explore the beauty and wonder of the west.