Yellowstone Family Trip-5
Since we got home pretty late last night, we all slept in this morning. Our son and daughter-in-law decided to stay home since he was having a painful flare of an old shoulder injury. So our daughter, son-in-law, three grandkids, Nancy, and I piled in the van and hit the road about 9 a.m.
Today we were headed to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. We made good time and were pulling into the parking lot for Artist Point at 10:15. A short hike led to the point and a stunning view of the canyon and the Lower Falls.
Thomas Moran, the artist whose painting of this scene in 1871 brought national attention to this place, is partially responsible for it becoming the first national park in the world. He said, “I have wandered over a good part of the Territories and have seen much of the varied scenery of the Far West, but that of the Yellowstone retains its hold upon my imagination with a vividness as of yesterday…The impression then made upon me by the stupendous and remarkable manifestations of nature’s forces will remain with me as long as memory lasts.” And indeed, our little group spent some time soaking in the scene.
Eventually, our party moved on to view the Upper Falls from across the canyon and then drove around to peer over the brink of the same. All of this was very spectacular and thrilling. The rumble of 2.4 million gallons per minute of water roaring over the falls is both deafening and visceral in its power. It is humbling.
By the time we left the canyon, it was 11:30, and we were ready for some lunch. A short drive took us to Canyon Village, where we went to the Canyon Soda Fountain. With its long counter and stools, it has a serious retro vibe. Burgers and fries were the order of the day, and we cleaned our plates.
Then it was over to the visitors center where the boys were sworn in after completing their Junior Ranger booklets over the past few days. They each received a wooden Ranger badge which they immediately put on and wore proudly. To celebrate, we walked over to the lodge for an ice cream cone.
Our drive back to West Yellowstone was broken up by short side trips to Virginia Cascade and Riverside Drive. When we got home, we ordered pizza for dinner and watched a kid-friendly movie.
Grandkids! You and Nancy are living the dream traveling with them while you are healthy and have the resources to make such memories. We hiked both sides of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone last year. What a memory! And what an opportunity for our grandsons to build their muscle hiking memory! Memory seems to be the word of the day!
As you know it is a gift to be able to travel with the grandkids and our own grown children and their spouses. I loved following your adventures last year. What a fun time it sounds like you all had.