Jackson...the Tetons...Yellowstone

Wow what a trip! Last weekend...for the Pioneer Day weekend...our little family headed out to the great outdoors...this time...up north and a little west to Wyoming!!! It was a very different Wyoming than what we saw driving to Colorado at the beginning of the month. This was a side of Wyoming...that we LOVE!!! Beautiful...beautiful...beautiful!
Our first stop...downtown JACKSON HOLE and the great SHOOT OUT

As you can see...it draws up quite a crowd. Like the Hathways had warned...it was quite cheesy. It was even worse for us since every gun shot sound scared Azaleia...so we walked farther away. It was fun to see a small town doing things for tourists though...I like that.

Wyoming has all sorts of cowboy statues...pretty cool.

Here is flirty Azaleia with her soon to be Prince Charming

After walking downtown...we headed down the road to our campground Gros Ventre...which means big belly in French. We were lucky to get one of the last sites. Once again Azaleia loved loved loved her house/tent. Upon site set up we discovered once again that our blow up mattress blower upper thing...was not charged! Once again we slept on the ground. Don't you love camping? I shared a sleeping bag with Azaleia...tight squeeze...but we were warm...so that was not too bad.

Friday morning...wake up...pack up...and head to TETON NATIONAL PARK!!!
Just as we left our campground we spotted Buffalo crossing the street in front of the car ahead of us. Little did we know it was just the beginning of many buffalo/bison encounters. Back to the Tetons...words cannot describe how much we enjoyed the Tetons. Starting off with the Visitor Center was sweet. We touched fir...walked on water...kind of...and learned a lot.

First adventure of the day...hike around Jenny Lake! The hike around the lake was so nice...almost completely shaded...and with so many views of the Tetons. We highly recommend it!

After 2.6 miles we arrived to a pretty spot...the waterfalls!

There were so many pretty views...just one of many. Everyone commented on how Azaleia has the best ride. She didn't have to look at the ground for footing...she simply enjoyed the beautiful surroundings.
To be 1 again...sound like fun?

We decided to take the shuttle boat back to the trail head to save time for more sights. Azaleia enjoyed the boat trip...it was a good idea.

Right before the trail head...we headed down to the water spot. When our kids are bigger we definitely want to come back and canoe/raft in the Tetons. It was so beautiful. Jenny Lake Campgrounds will definitely be on our list of places to stay.

Doesn't she look so big?

We got back in the car and drove through the Tetons. This shot was taken outside the Jackson Lake Lodge...which was beautiful!

Not too far away towards the north was...one happy family in front of the entrance to...We headed straight to Grant Village Campgrounds to meet up with our friends the Sapps. We set up the tent and headed out to see some sights. As soon as we left the campground we spotted Elk!!! So cool!
Brad was Ernesto's comp in the mission...with his amazing and beautiful wife MaryAnn and their two precious ones...Aimee Lynn and Hyrum!

After driving we finally made it to the spot where Old Faithful lies...only to arrive just as it finished spouting. So we decided to wait for the next one...giving us enough time to walk around all of the other geysers/hot spots.

I loved looking out and seeing all the steam/smoke coming out of the earth.

It was honestly so fascinating to me to think about the earth creating these types of phenomena in this particular region of the earth. Really amazing to see different colors and types. Fascinating!!!

There she is...Old Faithful!

Yellowstone Adventure 2010 - the Escobars & the Sapps - wahoo!!!

Azaleia found a new little friend...she loved playing and exploring with Aimee Lynn. Those two little girls became so so dirty...picking up dirt around the fire pit...and most importantly...enjoying nature. They had so much fun together!

Saturday morning we started out close to the campground and saw the West Thumb Geyser Basin

picture self explanatory...silly husbands

It was cool to see these hot spots/geysers on the lake's edge. One of them said it had a temperature of 170 degrees. That's crazy hot!

On our way to the lower falls we saw yet another buffalo in the road...this one from the behind

This one one lane away on the side of the road

Azaleia and her Buzz were such troopers in the car! We drove around A LOT in Yellowstone...to see more sites and be on the look out for more wild animals.

We stopped at the Lower Falls in the portion of Yellowstone known as the Grand Canyon. It was really beautiful and a must see part of the park!

Then we stopped at "Inspiration Point"...something very important to Ernesto since we had missed the "Inspiration Point" by Jenny Lake thanks to me.

Ernesto receiving revelation at inspiration point. I think Azaleia too is seeking inspiration :)

It was then time to say our goodbyes...so sad. Aimee Lynn gave Azaleia some goodbye kisses and our families went on. We LOVED being with the Sapps! They are such an awesome family and we have so much fun being with them. Azaleia loves her friend Aimee Lynn! We were lucky they were able to come out for one night since Brad had been sick earlier that week. Can't wait for our next adventure together!

Ernesto and I decided to drive up north where the Sapps told us most animals tend to be. Boy were they right. We saw tons of animals. We first encountered a Mama Bear and her two little Cubs right at this spot. Park rangers kept everyone a good distance away...so the picture doesn't do it justice. At this time of day they were below us...but later that day we came back and same them again up on the hillside of wild flowers. It was really neat to see them live!

We kept on driving and stopped at the Tower Falls.
The two loves of my life!

Getting some lovies from our tired little girl. How I love to be Mama!

Some pictures with Yellowstone River. All the scenery was breathtaking in many areas of Yellowstone. Everyone needs to go!We got out of the car again at Lamar River. The brown dots to the right of their heads are many buffalos. We walked where they walk...put our feet in the river...once again...very cool.

We continued along our way...and loved this area of the drive especially...with forest surrounding the pathway...with a clear shot to beautiful mountains in Montana...

until and then we saw this...which for those who can't see...a BUFFALO HERD mozing their way down the road...which became this...about 50 BUFFALO surrounding our car!!! So COOL!!! Of course I made Ernesto roll up all the windows...and we still had an AWESOME experience!

After the encounter with the buffalo we decided we were close enough to the state of Montana...and since neither Ernesto or I had ever been there...we did the only logical thing to do...we drove just past the "Entering Montana" sign...and then turned around...

We should have spent more time in Montana...since that same Buffalo Herd was still blocking the road way going south bound. We actually waited for easily over 30 minutes for them to take their time walking down the road. We saw a Yellowstone Tour Bus going north...cool car!

On our way back towards Grant Village Campground...we saw lovely sights. This is actually a picture of buffalo crossing the river. It was a beautiful sight! Right after that...there was another road block/slow down for another Mama Bear and once again...her two little cubs going towards to the water. It was lovely to see.

We loved the Tetons so much that Sunday on our way out of Yellowstone...we had to take a picture with the sign...as well as visit a few sites. This family loves the Tetons...

We stopped at Oxbow Bend looking for some moose. Although we didn't see any moose...we did find the perfect picture spot of the Tetons. What do you think?

We also made the scenic drive around Jenny Lake again since I love it there so much!

Since it was Sunday we wanted to go to church. Unfortunately the meeting time was 5:30pm when we would be closer to home...so we decided to take another hike and enjoy the beautiful creations our Heavenly Father provided for us to share as a family. It was a super special morning. We decided on the hike to Taggart Lake...and we are so happy we did. It is a different angle view of the Tetons...and it was such a great hike!

Azaleia ended up falling asleep...as precious as can be...

She awoke in time for our time by the lake. We loved it there. We sat on a large rock right next to the water. The hike was a little over 3 miles round trip and worth every second.

Azaleia can't get enough of the outdoors and insisted on touching everything...including the water!

I wonder where she gets that one from?

Well that was it! Not too long, eh? Sure it was! I just couldn't decide on my favorite photos to post...so I posted many many. Ernesto and I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to explore and to experience the great sites not too far from us in Utah. It was a great trip and we loved the special family bonding time! If only Azaleia would remember these times. That's okay though...that is why we have a photo blog/journal so she can always remember the family adventures.