Summer 2013..the beginning of it at least

I ended the semester with a visit from my parents and a few days in Yellowstone. Here are a few pictures from the fun that we had, but very few compared to how many pictures were actually taken.

The beginning of the journey began with lots of fluffy clouds as we drove up Highway 20 towards West Yellowstone, MT.

One of my favorite things to do is take pictures of the state signs, this way I know which picture I took in which state. Welcome to Montana!

Now heading up to the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park. There was still snow on the ground and that was what I wanted to see.

The entrance fees are now $25.00 for 7 days. I think the first time I went back before the fires of 1989 was less than $20 but I don't know for sure.

As you enter the West entrance you see the Madison River and there were elk on the other side of the river from where we were. But the mountains behind them make the picture even better.

The mountains are just breathtaking and I just loved every minute of being inside Yellowstone.

Next stop was the Gibbon River and Gibbon Falls. I actually saw these back in August but it was so much fun to share them with my family this time. I have grown to love waterfalls and will try to see as many as I can. Maybe one day I will be able to go with a group to some in the backcountry, as long as they know what they are doing.

My parents by Gibbon Falls.

Snow still on the mountains makes it just that much more beautiful. I love the trees and blue sky.

Norris geyser basin brought snow on the trail and lots of geysers. It was a little cool in temperature and so there was lots of steam.

This is a picture of the Norris Geyser basin as you first walk to the trail/walkway.

Steamboat geyser went off, but it was mostly steam. And it even tried to drop a few raindrops on us, that would be why my dad is holding an umbrella.

Rustic Falls is another waterfall that I really liked. There was still some snow along the falls on the right side.

I tried to take my own picture with Rustic Falls in the background, but I got the snow instead. I still like the picture anyway.

Buffalo were all over and this one I just happened to get a good picture of. Then we headed back to West Yellowstone and stayed the night in a nice motel.

The next day we began by seeing this bench in West Yellowstone. Each time I go to Yellowstone now, I hope to see a bear in the wild in a distance. Still haven't seen one, so this bench will just have to do. :)

The sign by the entrance and there was still snow by it as we entered the park for day 2.

I love the rivers that go through Yellowstone too. and as we were driving by the Firehole River heading down to the Old Faithful area, we were going really slow....

The reason for the slowness of the drive was because there was a buffalo jam.. There were buffalo that were walking on the road and a safety vehicle that was making sure they were okay. The Firehole River was really pretty.

We stopped in the lower geyser basin, midway geyser basin and saw lots of geysers. Some were going off, but some were not.

Here I am on the bridge over the Firehole River which was next to midway Geyser basin. I really loved the river and how the steam rose off of part of the river.

By the Grand Prismatic spring there were these footprints....maybe a wolf or bear. Not sure as they were long gone by the time we were there.

The Grand Prismatic Spring was pretty amazing and big. I love the mountain in the background.

I was hoping to see Mystic Falls this time and I figured out that to do that there is a trail from the Biscuit Basin area that you take about a mile to get to it. So we walked through Biscuit Basin and saw springs and geysers. At the trailhead I was expecting to walk the rest of the way to see the falls....

You cross the river and walk by the geysers to find the trail as seen below...

The trail was actually closed for bear management!! Which means I could not go see the Mystic Falls like I had hoped to. It opened up on Memorial Day. I talked with one of the rangers at the Old Faithful Visitor's center and learned that it does not necessarily mean there are bears along the trail. It is just an area that they try to restrict foot traffic during certain times of the year. So I will just have to go see the Mystic Falls during the summer and I recently learned that there are rangers that will take people on the short hike. I was happy about that since I may end up going by myself again one day.

Next it was on to see Old Faithful.. We saw the last little bit of it erupting and then went into the visitor's center.

There was still snow by the visitor's center, so I just had to have a picture of my mom and I by the snow that was still by the back side of the visitor's center.

This next geyser is Castle Geyser! I had never seen it erupt before and so when I saw it going off I jogged ahead so I wouldn't miss it. The funny thing is it erupted about 30 minutes after I saw it at the beginning. It kept going like the enegizer bunny...

A close up of the base of Castle Geyser which was pretty neat to watch it.

Here I am by Castle Geyser. It went off for about 30 minutes so as we walked around the Old Faithful area I saw it the entire time.

More pictures of Castle Geyser from different views as we began our walk.

The next geyser we saw going off was called Lion Group Geyser. It was pretty cool to see it as we just sat down to rest for a minute or two.

Self portrait with Lion Group Geyser

This picture shows Lion Group Geyser on the right side in the front, and Castle Geyser on the left side in the back. From where we were we could see both geysers.

These pictures are a few of my favorites with me and my family. I took them as we sat and waited to see Old Faithful erupt for the second time today.

Old Faithful as it erupts

My dad and sister just sitting in front of the gift shop at Old Faithful.

The road from Old Faithful to Yellowstone Lake was actually closed until this morning. Had we have actually driven this way yesterday we would not have been able to see the Kepler Cascades, and the frozen lake.

Kepler Cascades

Kepler Cascades which still had snow around it since the road was just opened up after they finished plowing the road. Here is a picture of me by the waterfall.

Another view of Kepler Cascades

Snow was still seen on both sides of the road and so we only saw the signs for the continental divide. I had hoped to go stand by it, but that was not happening due to all the snow.

Yellowstone Lake...frozen for most of it except for along the edges. I really loved seeing the lake this way. It was so pretty.

Here I am standing by the lake as close as I could get. It was frozen except for the edges.

Yellowstone River as seen from Fishing Bridge.

Welcome to Canyon area!!! This is the Upper Falls as seen from the south rim trail.

In between the upper and lower falls you can see Crystal Falls. I think you can see it in this picture, but it is behind the trees.

My dad, mom and I walked along the trail, but didn't go to far since we found snow still on the trail. I had hoped to go on Uncle Tom's Trail, but since there was snow still on it and there were LOTS of stairs we didn't go. Had I have had better shoes on I would have done it.

This is a picture of the board that is by the falls and the upper picture is what Crystal Falls looks like. I hope to one day be able to see it really well. but this will do for now.

The Lower Falls of Yellowstone canyon area. I love the snow that was still around. It just added to the picture.

Another picture of Lower Falls. It was taken from Artist Point.

My mom with the Lower Falls behind her.

Here I am with the canyon area behind me.

This picture shows Uncle Tom's Trail which is the stairs and on the other side from where we were. There is a waterfall that was going down underneath the stairs. I thought it was really cool to see it. Next time I go, I am definately going on the trail and a few others too.

More pictures of Canyon area in Yellowstone

This is a picture of Hayden Valley as you drive from Canyon area towards Madison.

Now after spending the day in Wyoming, we are now back in Montana and ready to head south back to Idaho.

The sunset on the way back to Pocatello. I love the rays of sunlight that are peeking down from the clouds.

I am so grateful to live in Southeastern Idaho so I can go have some fun and see such beautiful things. I do miss being in Coeur d'Alene, but I am grateful for the time that I have down here.