Trip to the east cont...

Links to all photoshows are not up and running just yet... I have so many to share-and no time to get them ready except when we stop to sleep- it takes time to get them ready for the internet. Please do keep checking back. Here are just a few photos to share for now ...sometimes you can click on images to see a larger view...

This is Shoshone Falls in ID.
This is a moose!!!!






SO we finally have internet once again. Where do I start? This post will probably be long b/c I have a lot to share...
We left Boise, ID and headed for the western entrance to Yellowstone on Tues. On our way we were able to stop at Shoshone Falls National Park in ID... near Twin Falls. After about 500 miles we finally arrived at the western entrance of Yellowstone where we had a cabin for the night inside the park. NO TV, NO INTERNET, and NO CELL SERVICE! Rustic?-I would say so!!! It was COLD. We weren't expecting snow or even for it to be cold but yes there was snow on the ground and they were expecting 1 inch by Wed morning and snow throughout the day on Wed. We thought we were doomed b/c of the weather but we woke up to a beautiful Wed. and had an experience we'll never forget. We drove in the park for miles and miles. We looked the mountain sides over searching for wildlife. There were bison, deer, and elk where everywhere, 2 wolves walking down the road which were kind of scary but so cool. We seen a moose that was hiding herself in the marshy river BUT HEY I was able to capture a shot and you can somewhat make her out in the photo. A coyote was walking across a field then about 5 pups ran over to her... it was so adorable. We seen mountain goats, big horn sheep, and pronghorn antelope. We were driving down the road and came up to a very heavily congested area of people- which usually means there's wildlife around- and sure enough you would've thought Paris Hilton was sitting there with all the paparazzi's perched on the side of the hill. We'd just made the comment that we had just about seen it all except a black bear and a grizzly and BINGO... there she was-a black bear with her two cubs playing around. I was able to play paparazzi as well and capture some shots. OH was it a challenge to capture this moment with my camera- but I caught some worth keeping. What a great experience it was watching them perform for us. Then, we head on up the road into the higher mountains and on a mountain-side was a grizzly bear with a cub walking around. Of course we stopped and captured that moment too. Those photos were better b/c the lighting was perfect. It was just awesome seeing all this wildlife in one day. The snow would come and go throughout the day but not enough that it would ruin our adventure out. At the highest elevation the snow was still really deep on the groud and it was absolutely gorgeous. The temps weren't too frigid- which was great since we didn't come prepared for snowy weather. After we wrapped up our first full day in YNP-we drove out the eastern entrance and stayed in another cabin for the night. Again- NO TV, NO INTERNET, and NO CELL SERVICE. But that's ok b/c we spent a lot of time together as a family playing games, chit-chatting, and the beds were very comfortable. Day 2 (Thurs) we drove back into YNP to visit the geysers. It was neat as well... the kids and I seen all of them last Aug when we made our move from CT to WA with my parents... but Jamie hasn't seen them so we made sure he got that opportunity. He was excited and thought they were neat but I really think the wildlife we seen was more entertaining for him... you know Jamie. After another long day spent inside YNP-we left YNP and headed back to the cabin at the eastern entrance and made plans to go horseback riding... That's a post all by itself considering this was the best part ever so far of our trip- that's what the kids said anyway! We took an hour trip out on these horses. We all had our own horses and a guide with us. We went up to this mountain top with an awesome overlook. We got to see a grizzly playing off on a hillside and deer all over the place. It was great!!! I'm going to make a seperate link for those photos b/c I took so many. After our horseback adventure we headed off to Cody, WY for the night. It was about an hour and a half drive through some of the best scenery we'd seen yet... we've definately found our retirement spot for the future... again- we stayed in a cabin but this time we DID have cable TV but NO CELL SERVICE, NO BATHROOM AT ALL, and we had to go buy some sheets for the bunks to sleep on. I forgot to pack them but thank goodness WM was in Cody b/c I'd not seen one in at least 500 miles and at least for two days. After arriving in Cody, we checked into our third cabin for the week. It was so neat and cute. Cody has a rodeo every night so we went to the rodeo lastnight. Our C was able to get in the arena with cows...it was something they did with the kids. The first two kids to get the ribbon off of the cow wins. I didn't take my camera in the rodeo- so I'm sorry I can't share the memories of that one... no my little C didn't get a ribbon.
WOW!!! is just about the only word I can really say so far about our trip. I had the best time with my parents last Aug. when we made this same trip to the west from the east. I'm so thankful I've had this opportunity once again with my husband and two kids to experience it with him. It has been a great adventure and one we'll always remember. After driving through the beautiful countryside of the Rockies we've just about decided where we want to retire. The scenery is just breathless. You have to go see for yourself if you never have. The photos aren't worth half of what it really is like to drive through the wonderful countryside that we've seen in the last three days. So, start planning your trip to this part of this beautiful country- you will love it!

I told you this post would be long. Hope you have enjoyed reading and catching up with our trip to the east. I want to share photos but Oh MY do I have soooo many to share. I am working on them as I travel. I have to resize them for the internet so that's why I can't just come here and post them---it's a lot of work to get them ready. ONE draw back to digital. We love comments b/c WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. If you don't want to comment- email us. We have arrived in Keystone, SD... today we made a visit to the Crazy Horse Monument and plan to visit Mt. Rushmore tomorrow... so stay tuned for more to come. I'm so anxious to share about the Crazy Horse Monument- it is really something so keep checking in for more updates to come...

We miss everyone from the east coast to the west. We also miss our family in the south- Christmas was too long ago- so start planning your trip to VA b/c we'll be in our new HOME soon! Love to you all! Michele-Jamie and kids.....
PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR LINKS TO THE PHOTOSHOWS IN THE FUTURE... near future- b/c I've almost got them ready. Just seeing double tonight so I'm off to bed.