Camping in Yellowstone!

Yellowstone here we come!!!! Yummy donuts and jerky on the drive up to Yellowstone.  We saw some Bison as soon as we got into the Park.  

We stayed at the Madison Campground in Yellowstone National Park and we would recommend staying there.  It is a great central location, it is kept clean so bears don't come into camp and it was as quiet as camping can get.  we were in the H-loop in #275.  There were tons of chipmunks and squirrels and it had a place to wade in the river.

Chillin' on the couch after camp was set up.

I am not sure why Ryker was posing on the bed and Alana trying to escape they are pretty funny!

Alana's first toasted marshmallow she loved it!

June 19th, We had a toasty nights sleep thanks to Chris for getting us a Mr. Heater tent heater. We enjoyed some hot chocolate with breakfast. Squirrels were everywhere this one was looking for breakfast in our fire pit as we headed out to see the sights.  First the Boardwalk and then on to Old Faithful.

The wait for Old Faithful was a little long. Alana was wondering if it would happen at all.

Still waiting...

We hiked to Mystic Falls. It was pretty easy and Ryker was able to hike the whole way.

Ryker found a fuzzy Caterpillar.

King of the Mountain!!!

Bacteria mats, yum!

They look pretty but they don't smell that great.

We played Frisbee and ball while our tin foil dinners cooked, until Chris threw the ball into the fire.

Our new favorite is eating s'mores made with mint chocolate cookies- Delicious!!!

Ryker looks like a marshmallow in his double jammies complete with the hat made by Grandma Susan.

June 20th, Happy Birthday Ryker!!! Today Ryker is 4!!! We went out in search of a bear for Ryker to see on his birthday.

We found this Grizzly on the side of the road by DunRaven pass.  He had treed a black bear cub and decided he wasn't coming down decided to go for a walk and went up close to Chris and Ryker.

The black dot behind Ryker is the bear we didn't want him to be closer.

We went through Lamar Valley and saw lots of Bison. Alana and Chris checking out the baby Bison.

We hiked up to Trout Lake. We enjoyed some peanut butter and jam sandwiches and the wonderful scenery.

There were lots of trout spawning in the river and Ryker wanted to feel how clod the water was.

Chris and Alana were quickly making their way around the lake, while Ryker and I were taking our time

Its hard work being carried around.

We refueled with ice cream at the lodge in Mammoth, Ryker had chocolate his favorite! Then walked around Liberty Cap and the Terrace Hot Springs.

Alana getting her "glubs" on to help make dinner

I made Ryker a chocolate cake in some cobbler pots we have and then made a ganache for the frosting.  One was a little lopsided but they tasted really good.

June 21st, We went to the fountain paint pots. The mud pots are pretty neat to see, pictures don't really do it justice.

On our way to Fishing Bridge several bison were crossing the road where ever they wanted, it is pretty neat to get so close to them. 

We had lunch at Pelican Creek it was gorgeous and peaceful.

Then we were off the Storm Pointe. When ever we start hiking we try to make sure necessities are taken care of but when you gotta go you gotta go!

A trip to Yellowstone would not be complete without a Yellow Bellied Marmot sighting!

A buffalo was sitting on the trail so we had to make a wide circle around to get back to the car.

We have never seen this Geyser go off and it was pretty cool to watch.

Family pictures by the fire.

We are headed just west of Yellowstone for the Moss family reunion making it so we needed to pack up everything. Chris had a great idea to deflate everything and roll it up in the tent and tarp and strap it to the top of the car and off we went.