Yellowstone: Day 1

For Fall Break this year we planned a trip to West Yellowstone and Yellowstone National Park. I have been wanting to go there since Worldmark built a new resort there. It costs too much to go during peak season, so I thought October would be a great time to go. Plus then we could avoid the crowds and clogged up roads of summer. I have so many somewhat bad memories of trips through Yellowstone, my expectations weren't that high. But this trip ended up far exceeding all expectations. It was as close to perfect as a trip could be.

We love to vacation with friends or family, so about a year ago, I invited our good friends the Foxes and our close cousins, the Smiths. Both families have talked about how much they wanted to go to Yellowstone and I figured since it was so far in advance, one of them would end up not being able to go. I booked three units and figured I could cancel one later if needed. Well, they ended up both being able to come, and it was SOOO FUN! It was the perfect combination of older and younger kids and it made the trip that much better.

We took an extra day off of school and left on Wednesday morning with the Foxes. It was a nice drive and just bearable by the kids standards. Kimee thought it was really cool that we were going into so many states: Idaho, Montana and Wyoming! She really couldn't believe how awesome that was.

After a few stops for lunch and gas, we arrived in West Yellowstone at 3:30pm. We were able to check in and get over to the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center that was just across the street from our condo. 

We got there just in time for the Keeper Kids program, where the kids get to learn about bears, and then hide food in their habitat. Kimee and Blake and Derek were able to do it and had a great experience.

Here they are getting some instruction and learning about bears.

The bears got locked away, and then in came the kids. 

Here Kimee is being given her bucket of bear food.

They taught them about hiding the food in good spots to challenge the bears. 

Kimee found a great spot and put most of her food there. Blake is stashing some here too.

Now to cover it up. Derek is helping with that.

All done. Time to go! Kimee is waving goodbye.

Before the bears come out, the ravens try to get as much as they can.

 Watch out, ravens! Here come the bears.

After a little looking around, this bear found Kimee's stash of food.

While the big kids were at their activity, the little kids basically got to run around the place. 

There was only one or two other families there. It was so nice.

Maddi and Audrey watched the wolves.

Audrey loved playing with Katelyn.

We tired to get a picture with all of the kids together, but didn't succeed.

It started to get a bit chilly as the sun was going down. 

So we went into the cabin that overlooks the wolf habitats. 

The kids watched a video about wolves. 

 One wolf got up close to the window. It was pretty cool!

Before leaving, we had to stop at the gift shop and get some cute little wolf and bear toys. 

Plus they had a little playground for the kids. It was great!

Here are the girls outside on one of the bear statues.

We headed back to the condo for dinner and swimming. What a great day! Carol's family arrived late that night. Since Audrey was not old enough to do the Keeper Kids, we have committed to her that we will return to Yellowstone when she is old enough. And since we have so many other places we want to go, we have officially decided that we will go back in 4 years. Then Maddi will be old enough too, and Kimee will be 11, so she can still do it. So it's official: in 2014 we will be heading back to Yellowstone. I just wish I could book trips that far in advance :)