Day 3

            Well, it’s been a day! While mom and dad went out exploring the geyser basin near our cabin, Kendal and I got to sleep in. Though at first a blessing, we were sorely disappointed when they came back an hour late, having seen a prominent geyser eruption. Oh well… Anyway, after packing up, we left our cabin and went exploring more of the park.

            With only a short drive, we were able to see two more geyser basins and then we began our hike up the Mystic Falls trail. What was thought to be only 2 miles turned out to be more like 5, but was rewarding with an enormous panoramic view of the Upper Geyser Basin. After the hike we ate our lunch (lunch = Peanut butter and jellies by the way; doesn’t matter what day because it’s every day) and went to see some various falls, basins, etc.

            Next, we headed to Yellowstone Lake where our lodging for the night is located. It was a decent drive, but it had plenty of great views! We then arrived at the historic Lake Yellowstone Inn (which I didn’t particularly like because it is bright yellow; very tacky…) where we checked in to our pre-reserved cabin (also yellow). We then promptly headed to dinner at the Lake Yellowstone Lodge cafeteria (I had a delicious meal consisting of a gigantic portion of prime rib, rice, macaroni, three roll/biscuits, and a king size pack of Reese’s for dessert). There is no cell phone service where we are staying, which means no wi-fi for the blog (we are hoping to pick some up as we drive).

            Right now we are in Hayden Valley seeing some awesome wildlife (no bears yet though U.U)! Hope you all are doing well!

                        ~Logan

RTC:

Grandma: A marmot is like a groundhog, but it lives in mountain areas and is a bit cuter. The temperature here is in the mid to upper 70’s with almost no humidity. Very nice!

Mr. Pursel: Haha, no Buffalo meat unfortunately; I would like to try some before the trip is over though! And though we all know just how much I love my fishing hat… I think it has to stay off my head, simply because it’s too good for me. ;)  

Morning Glory

Sapphire Geyser

Hike to Mystic Falls

Mystic Falls

Yellow-bellied Marmot

Mystic Falls Overlook

An Unexpected Encounter

Black Pool

View from Cafeteria

Day 2

     Well it's been another long day! After waking up, getting ready, and checking out, we headed to Bozeman's local Walmart (which was actually incredibly nice!) to get some supplies. Having purchased our necessities we headed out to find the National Computer Museum in Bozeman.
     Though the GPS took us to the wrong place the first time, we were able to quickly correct the error and tour the museum, which was very interesting and free (Dad commented that it was the kind of place you would like Mr. Pursel).
      After the museum, we began to head to Yellowstone NP, which was a good two hours away. We stopped for lunch in a nice park area near a river, which was extremely flooded (we even saw waterlogged houses!).
      Finally, after about 30 minutes, we arrived at Yellowstone ~gateway picture attached~. With a wave of our park pass we were in like a double chin and began touring. Within the first hour we were seeing all manner of wildlife including elk, buffalo, and ~Dad's favorite~ Yellow-bellied Marmots! We took several hikes- walks rather- and were able to see the Mammoth Hotsprings (from car), Norris Geyser Basin, Sheepeater Cliffs (Kendal and I climbed up these! =D), Artists Paintpots (the things that got mom last time), Gibbon Falls, and to end the day: Old Faithful.
     By the time we were done tramping, we were starving so we ate right when we arrived (delicious pork-barbecue sub, dill pickle, and chocolate cake for me!). We even got to see Old Faithful go off from our cafeteria seats! After dinner we secured our already reserved lodging for the night in a small, but nice cabin. Then we went to see the new visitor center and watch Old Faithful again.
       Last time we were here, the Old Faithful Inn of old was closed for repairs and we were unable to see it. This time however, we were able to see the whole inn in all its glory! My dad and I were amazed (and slightly humored) by the sheer amount of trees it took to build the enormous log cabin-like structure! Very beautiful, very frontierish, very awesome. We got ice cream there too (chocolate and butter pecan for me).
     All in all we are very tired. Mom and Dad just went out to get more sugar and creamer for our decaf coffee and see the 9:45 PM Old Faithful eruption (doesn't get dark till 10:00 PM here), and I'm starting to fade at the keyboard... We have been getting in rather late, and with the time change, we realize that you all probably aren't getting these posts till the next day. Really sorry about that! I'll try to type up some on my iPod so that it doesn't take as long to compose when we finally check in for the night. Other than that I'm afraid I've not much else to report other than, once again, how incredibly epic the scenery is here. Will try to write more on the morrow. So far, if we have cell phone service, we have blogging ability (a round of applause for Philip Morris, for providing us with the Droid Thunderbolt please! =D) Hope you all are doing well!
                       ~Logan
RTC (Replies to comments):
Grandma: Haha, thanks! ^_^ Idk much about the weedeater situation, but it's good it didn't break (T,T like all my equipment lately...)! And yays for jam! =) I wish we could have brought that grape jelly you gave us, but alas we could not U.U. 
Mr. Pursel: Sorry about the leftovers... You see um, there... well, there wasn't any leftovers. And yeah, I like that picture too! Bozeman is an awesome town: frontier setting with modern day conveniences at every corner.  

First Family Photo

Yellowstone Gateway

Bison (aka Buffalo)

Me at a thermal feature in a hat (I have accepted the fact that Indiana Jone's style hats with sunglasses are alright...)

Thermal Feature

Me at Old Faithful

Kendal overlooking a balcony in the Old Faithful Inn

~Special Twilight Photo's Available on Our Return!~