Mainland Trip - Yellowstone, round 1

We made our first visit to Yellowstone that Tuesday and drove around the southern loop.  We saw some fun hot springs, waterfalls, and Old Faithful Geyser.  This park is HUGE and we neglected to grab a map from the entrance which was a big mistake because we ended up getting lost and separated from the group.  No cell service.  (I don't understand how we ever survived before cell phones).  So we kind of spent some of our day driving in circles, (cause we had no idea where we were or which direction we should head in).  It wasn't a big deal.  We were in Yellowstone and we decided we should make the best of it, try to follow signs, and hope for the best! 

Our adventure started at these lovely hot springs.  Betsy and Ever, in coordinated knitted sweaters, are still unsure about each other.  

Christian and Jim had to touch the water to see just how hot it really was. How can you NOT touch it? it's right there... and we headed out just as the angry park ranger guy came down the path looking a little scary.

We stopped to look at this beautiful waterfall, (can't remember the name).  This is when we accidentally split from the group.  

We then did a lot of driving, which was kind of good because the kids got some decent naps in.  We drove all the way down to Old Faithful, stayed for a couple of hours and then realized, by choppy voice messages, that everyone else was heading this way.  And then we were all reunited!  We got to watch the Geyser do its thing a couple of times.  It was pretty cool.  

and got some ice cream.

On the way out of the park, we stopped at these pots and hot springs and some of us were able to get in and swim a little.  I kind of freaked out about swimming in the water because I remember the scene in Dante's Peak where the group of kids went swimming in a hot spring and there was the freak volcano and every one died from scalding hot water.  There were caution signs all over where we were.  I was just being lame and paranoid, but every one else had fun.  

I don't know how this happened.  These poses come naturally to him.

Got some last wildlife glimpses on the way out of the park. You can always tell if something is nearby, just look for the traffic jam/ parking lot in the road. Sometimes people will even slam on their brakes and jump out into the middle of the street in front of you, pointing, as the nice lady did when a coyote was seen running alongside the road.

We got out as the sun set and found a nice little pizza/ pasta place in the town at the park entrance and had a little birthday dinner together for my b-day. Was a perfect way to end the day.