Yellowstone

Labor Day was a free day for us.  Our house flooded (explanation later) so myself specifically had been stuck in the house as the workers came and went.  There was a lot of stress from having our house torn apart and our children displaced from their rooms.  The worst part for me were the huge fans blowing things dry.  They were just so loud!  I was overstimulated and I was having a hard time coping.  So when the workers told me they wouldn't be in on Labor Day, Ryan and I decided to get out of town.  We tossed around Jackson or Yellowstone, and originally decided to go to Jenny Lake and swim and paddle board and hike.  I was really excited.  But then there was a fire in Jackson and it was not going to work.  So we headed to Yellowstone instead.  It was crowded being a holiday weekend.  And there were NO animals out, which is odd.  But we took a route we haven't taken before and went up North.  It was a bit of driving, but we saw some cool stuff!

Gibbon Falls

Artists Paintpots

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone- my favorite!  It was a little walk down to the falls, which was fine.  But climbing back up was a little harder, especially on Sadie's little legs.  She had a hard time breathing and wanted to take many breaks.  I'm not sure what the elevation is there, but we saw a lot of people struggling.  These pictures were standing on top of the waterfall.  And the one of Ryan and I shows this same waterfall in the background.

Tower Falls

Mammoth Hot Springs (Devil's Thumb)

Boiling River- the kids were wishing I had let them put on swimming suits.  But I didn't know what to expect and we were so tired and ready to go home, I didn't want to deal with wet kids.  Next time, if we make it all the way back up to Boiling River, we will definitely wear suits and sit and soak.  It was awesome!

 These little waterfalls that are pouring into the river are boiling hot.  The river is cold.  So there are spots that are perfect temperature.  Where Ryan is sitting was a bit hot at times.  It was about a half mile walk and there was not much parking.