Yellowstone and Grand Teton Trip: Day 1

First buffalo that we saw on the trip to the campground.

Actually it was a herd of buffalo in Grand Teton Park.

Look!  I am in a picture!  I really did take my children to Yellowstone and camp for four nights.  

On June 29 we set out for our Yellowstone/Grand Teton Summer 2014 Adventure.  We left Morgan and drove through Evanston, up through Randolph, Star Valley and Alpine Junction. The trip up was beautiful, and I enjoyed remembering trips down the Snake River as we drove the canyon up to Jackson Hole. Jackson Hole was packed as we drove through on Sunday night and headed north to our campsite at Flagg Ranch, two miles south of the Yellowstone South Entrance, on the John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway.  Driving by the Tetons is always an inspiring view.  This time it meant that I'd be able to get the four kids (Joseph stayed home for soccer practice with Matt who had to work) out of the car soon.  They did a great job traveling and were so excited to get to the campsite and set up the tent.

A nice view of our tent on the morning that we left to come home.  It was fun to sleep in the tent (thanks for the cot Becca).  It wasn't too cold and got warmer each night.

Our firepit and picnic table.  Everything had to be put away anytime we left the campsite or went to bed to keep bears away. Be BearAware is the campaign to keep campers, hikers etc safe and to keep bears safe too.  We did not see any bears on our trip.

Campsite and first fire

Look who lost her tooth on Saturday night before we left.

Jen cleaning up the mac n' cheese pan.  She is an amazing experienced camper who fed us and kept us all "happy campers!"  Jen took us on our first camping trip last August.

Grace was so happy to be camping that she was dancing.

Ty played a little music for us.

Everyone has their chair and is ready for the s'mores that followed dinner each night!  This was before the mosquito invasion began. They got progressively worse each night and morning.

Behind us you can see the neighboring campsite with the van. Each night we had very nice neighbors and the kids loving playing with their kids.  Courtney even got a penpal from Oakland, CA.  She needs to write her a letter.

The kids were excited to be in the tent but went to sleep well and we were set to begin our exploration of Yellowstone the next day!