With all of our vacations being cancelled due to COVID, and all the crazy quarantine, social & political craziness going on, I wanted to get the heck away! I had planned to go to Wyoming and visit Dusty and Joslin and Granny. Then go to Utah and see my Bauer babes and Gramma. Jeremy usually doesn't go with us on our summer trips. He likes his week alone. But at the last minute, he decided to join us and we were so glad he did!
Saturday, July 18th-
We left Vista at 7:00 AM and headed to our first stop, Provo!
We had a very nice, uneventful ride to our hotel in Provo. We made stops at Eddie World, In n Out Las Vegas and dinner at Cracker Barrell in Springville. I was beat from the busy day before and I did the drive from Vegas to Springville. I passed out hard as soon as we got to the hotel after a nice shower.
Sunday, July 19th-
We were up and on the road by 10 AM. We made a quick stop at Bridal Veil falls to kick off the many waterfall stops we would be making on this trip!
It was full steam ahead as we headed for Star Valley, Wyoming!
Brody kept joking that Wyoming isn't a real state. So, as we entered the state and saw how pretty it was, he decided that it was indeed real. That became our trip hashtag, #WyomingisReal.
We arrived at Dusty & Joslin's around 4 PM. They live on the most beautiful 12.05 acres. Dust was home alone, while Jos and the kids were on their way home from Colorado. We hung out and checked out the property and he made us a yummy dinner. Then the kids came home and we all hung out and played!
It was so much fun being with them. They are seriously the best! They love my kids and my kids love them!
Monday, July 20th-
Luke signed up for an online Scout Camp for the week. So he had merot badge classes in the morning. When he was done, we loaded up the cars and went for a "hikeywalk".
This place was beautiful!
Most of us hiked all the way to the top of the waterfall. Jeremy and I even took Navy and Kale up!
These 2 stayed down and watched and helped Jos with the baby. The are the bestest of friends!
We loved it!
After our waterfall adventure, we went over to Rick & Lisa's for dinner and to visit Granny! She loves living in Star Valley. Rick and Lisa take really good care of her. She's still a brat, but I am so glad we got to visit with her!
Tuesday, July 21st-
We went to Jackson!
The town was opne, but following strict COVID 19 guidelines. Masks had to be worn in the stores and all of the fun shows and cowboys walking around, were cancelled.
It was also HOT!
But we still had a fun couple of hours walking around the town. We got some candy and caramel corn and took some fun pics!
We even walked by the hotel I stayed at the last time I was here when I was 15!
Dusty and Joslin met up with us and we bought them dinner to thank them for letting us stay with them. Luke had another merit badge class after that, so we found a place to park next to the river, and we went for a walk while he did his class.
It was such a pretty walking trail and we ended at this pretty park. We played in the water and the kids climbed the cool tree!
On our way back to Dusty's, we stopped to check out the "Lunch Counter". People river surf here. We didn't see anyone out, but it was still beautiful.
That night, we had a bonfire in the back yard to say farewell to our hosts. We sure had fun visiting with them.
Wednesday, July 22nd-
We were up early and headed to Yellowstone National Park. I was surprised and delighted when the GPS took us through Teton National on the way! I love these mountains!
We stopped at the dam to check it out and enjoy the view!
I took so many amazing pictures of the mountains reflected on the Lake, but google photos didn't save them! But you can find them in the scrapbook.
We had to hurry to get to Yellowstone, because we need to get to the Yellowstone Lake Hotel before 10 AM. Luke had a merit badge class at 10 and that was the closest place with wifi! While he did his class, the rest of us went for a walk along the lake and I saw my first BUFFALO!
I was so excited to see a bison up so close! We went to the lodge after Luke's first class, and got lunch while he took in his second class. It worked out perfect!
Then we got to see our buffalo friend grazing away as we left to explore the rest of the park.
I'm so mad because I took a ton of pics and only a few are available for the blog. Hopefully they will be in the scrapbook.
But once we got going, we stopped to check out the mud volcano and a really cool geyser called Dragon's mouth.
Then we headed to the "Grand Canyon of Yellowstone". We were able to see the Upper and Lower Falls. Here's the Lower Falls and Canyon-
Here's just a road side spring on our way to Gibbon Falls-
Gibbon Falls-
Firehole Falls-
The Norris Basin-
Fountain Geyser-
We completetd almost the whole lower loop of the park. We ended our day with the big one-
We got to Old Faithful at the perfect time!
We were so tired from our fun day, we headed out the west gate to West Yellowstone, MT for the night.
We waited way too long for dinner at the "Slippery Otter". But the wait was worth it and we had a yummy dinner. Then we passed out hard at our hotel that night.
What a day!
Thursday, July 23rd-
We slept in and slowly made our way to Park City. We got to stay with Trini and Henrique, in their cute house behind Kev's! I can't remember what we did Thurday afternoon night. I think we just hung out, ate dinner and watched Netflix. But it was awesome being with them!
Friday, July 24th-
Pioneer Day!
I talked Jeremy into joining us on this trip, by telling him how awesome the 24th is in Utah. But, due to COVID, everything was cancelled! So, instead, Can and Trini and their adorable kids, took us on a picnic and hike in Midway.
Phoebe loves Brody!
I love watching my babies with my babies' babies!
That night, we had a BBQ with everyone at Kev's house. And the only fireworks we got, were the ones the neighbor set off in their driveway. Still a fun day though!
Saturday, July 25th-
We wanted to do something different and fun, so we booked a rafting trip down the Weber River.
It was such a fun way to spend the morning and it was really pretty.
After our rafting adventure, we grabbed some lunch and visited Gramma Gerry and Papa Gene! We got a bonus and got to see Aunt Barbara too!
Then we headed back up to Park City and Henrique and his friends made us the most delicious Brazilian BBQ!
We also had a bonfire and hung out with all of my loves!
And we got the most spectacular sunset!
Sunday, July 26th-
We were going to wake up early and head to Escalante and do some hiking and waterfall hunting. Instead, we slept in and had church with these cuties!
Jeremy and I got awesome massages from Trini and then we hugged them all goodbye. I love these people with all of my heart! So glad we got to see and stay with them!
We drove to St. George that afternoon and stayed at "Hotel Francis".
Monday, July 27th-
We woke up to a nice breakfast spread from Duane. He's the best!
We got to take our time driving home and since I was driving, I got to stop at "Seven Magic Mountains". I've been wanting to stop here for years! It was hot, so it was a quick stop! But so glad we did!
Jeremy even made his own rock stack-
We got home around 4 in the afternoon. We had so much fun and I am so glad we took this trip and got away and saw loved ones. We needed it!
