The first morning we took it easy...I mean they did drive over 20 hours out to see us. We took Pirate for a walk, ate breakfast, made a picnic lunch (a family has to eat, right?!) and headed out to the northern part of the park for some hiking and site seeing.
The first hike was a portion of the hellroaring creek trail. It was hot that day, but heck we were in Yellowstone and we were going to HIKE! We hit the trail with full water bottles and exuberance.
A little into the hike, this was the view. A little different from central wisconsin.
The trail is the opposite of trails that I like--the first half is downhill and and then when you are good and tired you get to hike back up and out. Here is Ives on the switchbacks going down. Last time we hiked with Ives he was a toddler, now he is a mountain goat--seriously good hiker.
Katrina and Ilija were thumbs up on the way down. Snacks help when traveling in the pack.
A really cool aspect of the trail is a suspension bridge over this "roaring" creek. It was really cool. Austin and I were immediately reminded of a hike in Rainer with Coburn that had a similar bridge. :) I think this one was a lot more sturdy.
Sometimes, I cannot believe this is where we live. Thank you NPF!
Family shot on the bridge. Even Ilija is smiling (sorta).
Post bridge hike through the forest. The trail winds through so many different landscapes.
Keenin and Ives climbed a huge boulder and of course the little cousin had to join (Ilija was lifted onto the rock, he isn't that big yet.)
The turn around point of the hike for us was at the creek past a few backcountry sites. Since we were going to turn around anyway, we decided to kick off our shoes and enjoy the water for a bit. Here is Q watching over Ilija in the creek.
Ilija loved getting to wade and look at all of the rocks.
My Wisco man was in heaven in the cold creek.
A little GQ.
Ilija and Daddy fun!
Sorry, there are a lot of these, but I need to record the fact that I was present on these hikes too.
Teaching him about water resources. Rick should be proud.
A couple shot--so rare these days.
The creek is beyond this pond who would have known (we shot this on the way out).
Back through the sagebrush forest.
Uncle Ian wore Ilija on the way out. So this shot is of 6 Polo boys. Wow! I am one lucky lady. Speaking of good hikers, all three boys (although exhausted) ran up the switchback on the way out.
Not only were we hiking over a 1000 feet back out from the creek, but it was over 90 degrees. Good job, Uncle Ian! Ilija looked comfy.
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