2nd Annual Perkins Family Outing

(Top: Me, Mick, BreAnne, Kanyon, Josh, Kala. Middle: Ammon, Abbie, Katrina, Mike, Ruth, Tawna, Aspen. Front: Liberty, Micah, Jonah. Missing: Cody, Tabbi, Lisa, Mac, Malcom and Quinn)

Yellowstone was the big destination this year. Mike bought us all a lovely two night stay at cabins on Yellowstone Lake. What a nice guy!
It was a short three day adventure, but it proved to be just perfect.
I could tell you all the places we ventured if I had not have been in mommy mode getting in and out of our rented minivan instead of reading some signs. So many people to keep tabs on and millions of buttons to figure out.

Day One
The first stop was here as we made our way to the Lake Lodge area:
It was a beautiful warm WINDY day to see some hot pools.

Next up- where I almost lost two fly-aways plus myself on the steamed up, slippery, once again WINDY boardwalk.
(The Perkins 5, plus cousin Ammon. I love how Mick is aiming Abbie's head in the right direction- thanks for getting her in the family pic honey!)

And speaking of the cutie pants. This seat is were Abbie enjoyed most of her first Yellowstone Experience.
What? Oh! You think she's cute too? Sorry I could not hear you since my ear drums have now burst. She is a loud little cutie perched next to a set of ears!

This is what happens when drivers leave their passengers. Passengers resort to the curb and start to hail a ride while faining excitement!

Enjoying our wait for the ever faithful Old Faithful eruption...





And she arrived on schedule.

Mick reading his love letter shortly before he passed out on our Anniversary. Yes, the happy couple went to bed after surviving the first day of vacation on 4 hours of sleep- and we even had the room to ourselves. I think this might be a subtle indicator of how long we've been married!

Day two:
The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. My personal favorite spot.
On the way we saw herds of Bison on the open range. Abbie would yell "OOOH!" and get really excited.

Mike and Mick- same gene pool?

From Upper Falls looking down. Such majestic beauty to soak in. This was a short little hike that was well worth the trip. Could have done a few more of these.

Mike and Ruth

Me and The Chigs

West Thumb at Fish Hole

Yellowstone Lake as seen through the lens of Liberty:

Trip to Fishing Bridge, Yellowstone River and the East entrance. The East entrance was completely burned and completely beautiful! All the old snags were ghostly among the green new seedling growth.


Day three:
Headed home to the desert and passing through The Grand Tetons as too many people were in too big of a hurry to get home instead of stopping to look around a bit. Not me! I could have stayed and soaked in the scenery. In the years coming, I hope to return.

Highlights of the trip:
1) Spending quality time with Mick and the girls.
2)Learning some blackmail secrets about my mother and father in law! Watch out Mike and Ruth!
3) Seeing some seriously large lodge pole pines.
4) Passing through The Grand Targhee National Forest- one of my favorite forests.
5) No kids fell in the hot pools.
6) Did not have the itinerary altered by President Obama's visit. Thank goodness!
7) Walking down to Yellowstone Lake for an evening breeze on the beach with Tawna.
8) Renting a minivan with space.
9) Being in my element with a nice soft bed to lay my head on at night.

Great trip! Thanks for the opportunity Mike and Ruth.