So to end the suspense…we survived… It was a cold night though, and interrupted by Belle having nightmares about bears, and Abi deciding to go sleepwalking. No refreshing shower this morning, so we all stayed in bed while Ross set off as early as possible.
We drove through Grand Teton National Park – which we have been calling ‘Tet-on’ but should be ‘Tee-tonn’ with an appropriate American drawl. Beautiful scenery led us to Yellowstone from there. We stopped at Lewis Lake for a picturesque breakfast – still chilly outside so I sat in the cabin and have added below my view while I ate. From there we travelled on to Old Faithful, just in time to see the geyser erupt. The visitors’ centre there showed a very informative 15 minute movie on the geology and how geysers occur, and a ranger was very helpful in suggesting places good for the kids to visit in the Park. She also gave them a list of birds and animals to find, and the ones we were successful in seeing were a chipmunk, pelican, raven, elk and bison amongst others.
Following the map containing the ranger’s suggestions, we visited several locations containing geysers and boardwalks making for easy and close up viewing, and had a late (!) lunch near Gibbon Falls which was very impressive.
Our last suggested viewpoint was a Mud Volcano, which Zac thought smelled like bacon and eggs (maybe more rotten eggs than bacon…). Jarrod went to use the restroom, and returned in an absolute panic, crying and shaking, because he had accidentally dropped his iPod down the pit toilet. Ross went to retrieve it but changed his mind when the he saw what was down the 9foot pit. A park ranger nearby suggested we report it at the visitors centre near the Park exit in case it could be recovered.
And so began a conversation I had never before thought about having. Everyone waited in the RV (poor Jarrod had fallen asleep sobbing by now) while I (sans shower or enough sleep) went to put in a report about an iPod with a green cover (which the ranger suggested would be brown by now) that was down a pit near the Mud Volcano. Jarrod Jones, never doubt that parenting involves sacrifices. And so the Joneses made memories at Yellowstone…
An hour on from Yellowstone (and I have not made mention enough of its beauty and gorgeous scenery), we decided to stop at Cody for the night. While not as far as we had hoped to travel today, I did my research and found an RV park with free wifi, 24hr laundry, heated pool and spa, playground, and free pancakes for breakfast. It was great to eat dinner by 7pm-ish and get some laundry done! And the 8 of us enjoyed some time in the pool and spa. There was a rodeo nearby to which the RV park offered free transport, but we reluctantly decided to give it a miss for the sake of an early night.at 12.30am now though, I will sign off…xx