Yellowstone the Third Time Around

Yellowstone is one of our favorite places in the world so we head in for the third summer in a row. There are 5 entrances and we've been in 4 so we head to the 5th to complete our rounds. This part of the park is known as the Serengeti of Yellowstone. I'm excited and hoping to see lots of animals.

We saw quite a few bison but they are becoming 'common' to us know... how weird is that? We saw some pronghorn as yet another storm roared in. Lightning, heavy rain, hail... gorgeous setting to sit and experience it!

We headed to the great falls in Yellowstone and sat in on a Ranger program.

Yet another amazing storm swept through while we were at Lake Yellowstone. The lake had been calm and then suddenly it was covered in white caps. The rain was blowing sideways so we waited it out over a snack indoors.

We did get to see elk and our first moose!

We went to check out Grand Tetons National Park again and it was as spectacular as ever. You could see a huge storm cell over Yellowstone... kind of eerie. Into Jackson Hole and we got a little cabin on the river. Hoping for good weather and maybe some rafting tomorrow.

Time for Goodbyes...

We meet up with Alex for breakfast at a cute place across from campus and enjoy 'the last meal'. We had some great conversations and then it's time to let her go. Of course, she has left stuff in the camper so we sort that out.

Words of love and encouragement accompany hugs and tears and Alex is off on her college career. She looks so happy and confident. We're very proud but sad. Now the countdown to Thanksgiving begins!

To soothe me, Dan heads to CVS (weird, I know) to stock up on our Flathead Lake Cherry Ale.

Poor Brenna, we make every trip educational! As a fifth grader, they do state reports so she is doing hers on Montana. We head to Helena, the capital of Montana, to get some information in preparation for her report (which isn't until early next year!) We had a chance to tour the original Governor's Mansion, a museum on Montana history and the Capital Building. All were gorgeous, especially the Capital Building.

We head towards Yellowstone and hit lots of rain. When we finally arrive in Livingstone. It poured, lots of lightning and booming thunder. Found a litle leak in the camper... oh fun!

Had a chance to get laundry done and of course, I find some of Alex's clothes. Hmmm, ship them or let her get them when she comes home...

The weather matches our moods.

Griz part 2

Being a good sister and seeing how sad Brenna is becoming, Alex spent some time with Brenna riding Banana bikes around the campground. I'm not sure she really knows how much Brenna looks up to her.

It is a spectaular day.... 71 and it was 100 yeaterday! We head to Target to pick up more last minute things (which are adding up!) and head to UofM to get her set up. Of course, she's on the top floor of a building with no elevator... nice! Had some random college kids step up and carry in a few loads for us.

Her dorm has a loft bed so it was a challenge making her bed, especially since they haven't delivered the ladder for her bed yet (uhhh, when you make it a loft bed, wouldn't it be obvious that you need access to it?) She has so much stuff.

We head over to the bookstore after getting some nourishment for Dan, Brenna and Alex. Wow. Books. Are. Expensive. Wow. It was nice to walk across campus and see everything.

Alex is already in a rush to meet up with friends so we leave her to spend her first night in the dorm.

Tears are being shed but not by Alex. That's good, right?

We go for bbq and my favorite beer, Flathead Lake Cherry Ale... it hits the spot and we head back to swim and hang in the jacuzzi. Just in time for Huckleberry sundaes!

Becoming a Griz

Well, we're off to Missoula. Red flag warnings for high winds and rain so we leave early to try and avoid it. We cross Washington, into Idaho and then into Missoula. It was a hot day and smoky from fires in the area.

After checking in, we headed to the University of Montana to move some of Alex's stuff into her dorm (as much as we don't want to be away from Alex, we are thrilled to be free of her 'stuff'!!) Her roommate has moved in already and it's interesting to compare what they put on their bookshelves...

We head to an Irish pub for dinner (so yummy and a great glass of wine!) Alex was meeting up with some friends to listen to the Beach Boys, who are in town, so we drop her off and head back to the campground. We were so glad when she was dropped off and spent the night with us.... it's the last one before she moves into the dorm.

I love having my wee family all around me...

Heading East

Before we hit Missoula and get Alex set up, we stay in Leavenworth, WA. No, not the prison. It's a cute Bavarian town... think Solvang but German. It was a hot day so we headed into town to the beer garden for bratwurst and beer under misters.

After enjoying our late lunch/early dinner, we headed to the campsite to swim and relax on the huge lawn. We were next to a river so it sounded so peaceful.

I find I'm taking fewer and fewer photos. I can't stop thinking of what the next few days hold. I'm so excited for Alex but I'm having a hard time letting go. We'll manage somehow, right?

Off to spend time with my girls...

Searching in Seattle

Alex has friends in Seattle so we took the ferry over for her to meet up with them and for the rest of us to try again to get some good clam chowder.

Now, the only ferry that Brenna knows of is the Balboa ferry. When she saw the 'ferry' in Washington, she was shocked. It was pretty funny. We got on board and everyone seached out their favorite spot to enjoy the scenary and to see Seattle as we came around the corner.

We did the obligatory Pike's Place walk and Alex met up with her friends. We did finally locate some great chowder so we decided that we'd really rather be back at the campground relaxing.

Brenna was able to use the Monster Bikes, swim and we watched an outdoor movie before snuggling in for the night.

Our first night away from Alex on this trip... I guess we're easing into letting her go... I'm starting to have a hard time.

Watch Out Washington

Awakening to a gorgeous sunrise on the Oregon coast.... ahhh. Time to continue our journey north to the top of Washington. Enjoyed some nice time on the beach with Dan while the kids snored.

After stopping for the requisite coffee, pastry and salt water taffy, we headed to the Tillamook Cheese Factory. Yes, we are the biggest family of goobers! This is our second trip here and we'll come again if we can! Great tour if you're in the area and yummy samples! I think Dan and Brenna sampled the cheeses at least 3 times! Not only is their cheese wonderful, they have some great ice cream! $3 will get you 3 sample size scoops that are huge!

After making our cheese purchase, we continued north to enter Washington. Now, our cousin states to the north have a fondness (ok, and a need) for bridges over water. What does Alex not care for? High bridges, especially over water. So after giving her a heart attack, we stopped for a lunch picnic along the Washington coast. Again, beautiful.

Dan racked up major Dad points when he searched for Kurt Cobain's home in Aberdeen, WA. Alex was excited so that makes us happy.

Staying on Highway 1 we ventured north, eventually hitting Forks, WA. For all my friends who love Twilight, we checked it out. No Edward or Jacob but we did find the car! We eventually made it into Port Angeles and set up camp. It was late as usual so Brenna will have to wait to check out the pool.

Oregon Bound

Of course, today is clear and sunny and we are leaving the beach... Oh well.

Off to Oregon we head along Highway 1. We spent a little bit of time in the Redwood National Forest and it was awe-inspiring. I'm not sure many people can actually drive their car through the huge redwood anymore...

We spent most of our day in the car, enjoying the beautiful coastlines of California and Oregon. Dreading Dan complaining about not being able to pump his own gas in Oregon (state law!) We finally stopped at one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. Lighthouse on the cliff, amazing rock formations, beautiful sunset... ahhh. Trying to capture it on a camera is near impossible. I found that alot on this trip. Sometimes the beauty of things just doesn't translate onto the camera.

We continued to drive and it was getting dark. Exhausted, we decided to stop at a cliffside motel and check it out. The room was ok but you walked out the slider onto a huge lawn and were overlooking the ocean! It was so gorgeous and we were blessed to have found it. And cheap!

Anxious for some good clam chowder, we headed to a popular local restaurant only to have to have one of the worst clam chowders ever. So disappointed.... very watery. Oh well, at least we had our oceanview room to head back to!

Hanging in Westport with the Hippies

Today was like most days... everyone is up and Alex is still asleep! Dan, Brenna and I head to the beach to check it out in the morning light. It's completely clouded over but beautiful. How can you beat waking up to the sound of waves crashing?

Off to explore the little quaint towns in this area. Last night (at the only store in town) we met some girls who invited us to the town BBQ fundraiser for the fire department. Sounded good... but first, Glass Beach! We headed south to check it out. As we hiked down the path we came across wild blackberries growing everywhere! Joining in with the locals, we picked the gorgeous berries and stuffed ourselves, spitting out the sour ones.

We headed down the path to a beautiful beach where we searched for glass treasures. Finding the white ones was easy... the blues and greens were tougher and occasionally we'd stumble on a pink or yellow one! I really enjoyed the search and now have a tub of sea glass as my memento of this trip.

After going through cute areas and a little shopping, we headed in for the local event.

It was not Mission Viejo...

Well, the people were really nice and the food was great but it was a total throw back to the 60's. Let's just say, I wouldn't let the kids eat the brownies! Great band was playing and I thoroughly enjoyed the 'dancing'. I think it takes special brownies to dance that way. Alex wouldn't let me take any photos but I will have these moves and outfits embedded in my head for a loooong time.

I also learned that I too can apparently do belly dancing... you don't have to be a size 2 in Westport to shimmy! Don't worry, I like you too much to subject you to that!

Back to camp for some bike riding for the girls.

Great day and night but time to rest and head to Oregon.

Heading North

Well, off we go to take Alex on the first great adventure of her adult life... college. We got a bit of a late start but still beat the sun as we headed north to Westport, CA. Not a bad drive but long.

Cutting from the 5 above San Francisco towards the coast provided us with an amazing drive. We are so blessed to live in such a diverse and amazing state!

We finally arrived for our first night of camping and we are right on the beach. It's been a long drive so we've decided to stay another night here and enjoy some family time.

College Road Trip 2010

Year Three of my attempt at a blog. This time our motivation for our trip is to take Alex to the University of Montana. I am so excited for her... it is a beautiful campus with so many new and interesting opportunities for her. We're just going to miss her like crazy. It will be a new experience for our family ~ back to just three.

Plan is to leave Friday the 20th, head north to San Francisco, over to the coast (Alex wants to be at the coast as long as possible!), up through Oregon, maybe check out Olympia National Park, Seattle, and across to Missoula. We'll get her set up, I'll pop a Zanax when we say goodbye and our new mini family will head to Yellowstone.

I'd love to hear your comments as we travel. Hopefully I do a better job posting updates than I did last year (that was because we lacked WiFi in many locations)

Morag-