The Archibald Family

Our 2008 Family Trip

Our family's guide to Yellowstone. (warning this is a travel log and it is very long, but I didn't want to forget anything) Yes, it is hard to believe, but there are even more pictures to see. So if you want check them out here.

Okay, so our trip for 2008 was in September but I am just now getting to blogging it. Every year we have made it a goal to go on at least one formal family vacation. I have mentioned on my blog before, our family Christmas stocking tradition, but since we lost some of it I will fill you in on the tradition. We plan a trip and announce it with a picture or fun little objects that we put in this big stocking on Christmas morning. Then we get a memento from the trip and pin it on to the stocking. That way it will be filled with fun memories. This year we decided on a simpler "less expensive" trip...YELLOWSTONE.

Our family in front of Yellowstone Falls

We stayed in my parents cabin in Island Park about 30 miles away form the west entrance into the park. Even though we are so close to Yellowstone we don't go there often. We find plenty to do around our cabin. Andre had only been there once before and I am sure he does not remember it.

Well, for those of you who have been to Yellowstone you either love it or you hate it. It is one of those places that you have to look for the fun, But we found it and I will say that we had a blast. There was a lot of driving but I made coloring books for the kids and snacks. I also gave them there own little buckets filled with activities. Plus, we got out and explored (another trick to Yellowstone) get out of your car and be one with nature.

Don't you just love camera timers!!! The picture of us is not the best but the background is beautiful. This is on a bridge by my cabin in Island Park.

The first day of our trip we just spent hanging around the cabin and going on four-wheeler rides.

We spent two day in the park. The first day we stop in West Yellowstone at the Grizzle Discovery Center. There we got to see grizzly bears and wolves. Andre was able to become a keeper kid and go into the bears den (no bears present) and hide food for them. Then when all the kids were out safe and sound we got to watch the Bears hunt for the food. Andre was a little nervous at first but loved it. They feed the bears lettuce and other veggies, berries, and dry dog food. It was very interesting to see how good there dexterity was turning over rocks to look for the food.

Yellowstone is made up of one big loop that is divided into two smaller loops. We planned one loop a day to let us sight see and play around. Our first excursion was the painter pots. Which was a nice little walk that led to...well, I am not really sure what they were, but none the less we went, we saw and decided not to conquer and climb all the way to the top.

We had a nice little picnic at Mammoth Springs and saw a lot of elk. The elk are like residents of this small little village. They park themselves right on the lawns. Watch out for the elk poop.

After a relaxing lunch we headed for a place that I had never heard of until our friend Bettie told us about it. It is a little hidden and off the path a little. I think it was called the boiling river. It is just past the Montana border. It is were the chilly Yellowstone river and a very hot hot spring merge. Leaving a very warm pool to soak in. It felt very good even in September. The small hike back to the car wasn't so soothing, but was well worth the experience.

On our way back through the loop we saw lots of elk and buffalo. I think that this picture is so funny "be prepared to stop." This sign was for the road construction down the road a bit, but I am sure it could apply anywhere in the park because those animals are not afraid to cross the street and are in no hurry. We even saw a buffalo kick a car that tried to go around it. We planned to go horseback riding, but we were one week to late. The lodge said that they stop horseback riding shortly after labor day. Bummer oh well. There was still lots to see.

Every year we have the kids save change through out the year and then they get to spend that money on souvenirs. We took the kids to some shops to look and as soon as Kendyl saw this pink gun she said "MINE" and never let go of it. Andre pick out a gun too (big shocker). After shopping we ate dinner and this yummy dinner in West Yellowstone and head back to the cabin.

Day two

The second loop we began with a drive along the fire hole river then stop at one of the several geysers. I am not sure what one it is called. There was really pretty deep blue springs and fun boardwalks to walk on. Great photo ops to bad the sun was blazing.

Our Next stop was Old Faithful, a Yellowstone staple. As Old Faithful blew Kendyl yelled, "water, water." I swear she is so smart.

I found out that kids can become Junior Rangers. So on the first day of the trip we stopped by a ranger station and picked up the packet. They are age appropriate and they have the kids go to places all throughout he park. They do tasks that have to be passed off by rangers, they record animals they see and color pages. Andre sure had a lot of fun doing it and it kept him busy in the car. After they pass off five things, they find a ranger and read the ranger pledge, then they are officially sworn in as a junior ranger and then they get a wolf patch. Here he is becoming an official junior ranger.

Next stop was to this biking trail that I wanted to go on called Lone Star Geyser trail. We unloaded the bikes and set out on the 5 mile ride. It was a beautiful trail. This was probably my favorite thing we did. It was nice to get off the beaten path and it was so quiet. The trail ran along the fire hole river and ended at yet another geyser. We were told we missed it going off by 2 minutes. The geyser goes off every three hours, oh well, it was a great ride. And if you have seen one geyser you have seen them all. Andre rode his bike the whole way and never complained. It was great!

Lunch time! Or should I say momma needs a Diet Coke time. We found a nice Picnic area somewhere between the bike trail and Yellowstone Lake. We just relaxed there for a bit and let the kids explore. They found this bird that apparently loves Dorito chips. The kids were so intrigued by feeding it.

Here is a funny story. While we were exploring we found this creek. As Andre was crossing the creek on a log, being the photo obsessed women that I am, I yelled, "hey Andre look back for a picture." And being the great poser that he is, he looked back, and lost his balance and fell in the creek. I wish that I had capture that moment on the camera but instead I was a good mom and rushed over to help him out of the creek. I thought for sure he would start bawling, but surprising he was laughing and then we all busted up. One of the few times that he does what I asked and he falls in a creek.

This picture cracks me up. Look closely at Andre he is holding his gun to Wes. I think that it could tell you what they were playing. I didn't even notice that until I was looking back through the pictures.

Next stop was along the beach of Yellowstone lake. It is a beautiful drive along the lake. We got out and played on the beach and threw rocks into the lake (a favorite activity of ours). Something cute Wes always does is find a heart shaped rock to give to me. This year he found one and gave it to Kendyl. He also found this awesome drift wood and gave it to me. It is now on my kitchen table. I love it, thanks honey. He knows exactly what I think is cool. The weather was actually in the low 70's by late afternoon so ours kids dipped their toes in the lake.

They next place was a drive through Hayden Valley, a Bears favorite place to hang out. Although we saw no bears we saw a lot of buffalo. The rangers told us it was too late in the year to see bears. They were already up in higher elevation getting ready for hibernation.

***A little info in one of the pictures in my gallery you can see buffalo hoof prints in a hot spring. I asked a ranger how they don't get burned. She said that some springs are hotter then others. The buffalo love to stand on the warm ones in the winter. I asked how do they know which ones are safe and what ones to avoid. She said,"Their mothers teach them." How beautiful is that. A mother's role is to teach their children things to avoid and things that are okay. I love the fact that motherhood is instinctive. She also said that some push the line and still get too close to the hot ones, no matter what they have been taught and end up getting hurt or die. Isn't that a great metafore! How often do we all ride the line.

Next we came to, I think the stinkest place on earth. Mud Valcano. As soon as Andre heard the name he wanted to go. When we got out of the car the stink hit us like a parachute fart. It was pretty cool if you could hold your breath. I swear the steam seeped into our skin and we smelled like it, or maybe it was just stuck up in our nostrolles.

Our final stop was at Yellowstone Falls in Canyon Village. There are two water falls. One you can hike down to. We hiked down all 328 steps not including a few switch backs.

This is about half way I think I was a little dillirous.

I was lucky enough to have Kendyl straped to my back. Think of all those calories I burned. Kednyl fell asleep about 50 steps in. Dead weight, even beter. It was well worth all 328 steps.... Untill the 328 steps back. Thanks to Tiffany for letting me barrow her moby wrap.

Side note: Our heater convenietly went out in our car so in the morning we were all freezing wrap up in blankets and by after noon had to roll down the window because we were hot.

We had great time. I realized that it does not matter where you go on vaction. If youf family is together it can be a blast. Some place you have to work a little more to find the fun but we tried to have fun no matter what. I can safly say we had fun.