Days 19-22 yellowstone video

Day 22 Wednesday June 30th

Cathy and George decided to leave Yellowstone a day early. Cathy was disappointed with the areas which still show damage from the big fire 10 years ago. Those areas look like toothpicks sticking up. George figured he had pretty much seen everything he wanted to see, Luke was convinced that Yellowstone is not kid friendly. He felt he had to stay on the wooden paths and couldn't do much.

So everyone left for Idaho a day early except for Mary and Coletta.


Mary in front of Old Faithful on the Live Cam

Mom and Coletta at the Old Faithful in Yellowstone Park (they are sitting on the bench)

Jen took these pictures from the virtual web cam on the computer.

Tonight Mary and Coletta have dinner at the Old Faithful Inn and stay there for the last night in Yellowstone.

Day 21 June 29th Yellowstone

This morning we woke to a great lumbering male buffalo just outside our porch. We were taking pictures from the slightly opened door, ready to close the door at any moment. The buffalos are SO big! Their winter coats are falling off and they look sort of like they have a rug on their backs.
And they are all over. Some people think they are tame and get about 5 feet away. There have been several gorings by buffalos in the park because people get to close and annoying. (See, this is why I got the cabin WITH a bathroom!)





Coletta and I decided to check out the hot springs by the lake. Some of them are so beautiful with colored micro-organisms that grow at certain temperatures, beautiful greens, blues, yellows and oranges.

That nice cool bluegreen color are micro-organisms that live in the 167 degrees F.



The weather is just perfect and the landscapes are wonderful.


The weather is just perfect and the landscapes are wonderful.

Day 21 Yellowstone -Heading to the Old Faithful Lodge

We drove to the Old Faithful Lodge enjoying the drive on the way, seeing a beautiful waterfall and lots of bison on the way.



We are staying at the Old Faithful Lodge cabin tonight. Old Faithful is a very short walking distane from our cabin. Coletta decided to take a nap and I went over to call Jen and check out where the virtual camera is. I found the camera and Jen took a picture of the computer screen as we talked.


After I rang off with Jen, clouds really started rolling in as dusk approached. Then lightening was playing just on the other side of the mountains. Very pretty. I decided to go sit on the porch and watch the lightening show as it started sprinkling. Old Faithful was steaming away and the lightening was putting on quite a show. It was quite a spiritual sight. I called my hubby and had a nice visit with him. It started raining hard and the show was still going on. Such a nice time with my group of about 20 in the rocking chairs on the side porch of the lodge watching nature do it's thing. As Old Faithful started up, cars in the two parking lots near by shined their headlights on it so all could see!

I was a nervous for Cathy, George and family since the storm seemed to be moving that direction! But they now have the "Monster Tent" so I figured it would stay up just fine. We will meet with them tomorrow at their campsite.

That night there were travelers that had gotten caught in the storm. The lodge let a bunch of people sleep in the lobby and others that had cabins reserved kept coming in the middle of the night. We did get kind of annoyed at all the banging and door slamming and flashlights in the windows all hours of the night. Other than that the cabin was great.

Day 20 June 28th Yellowstone

We drove back from Billings, Montana and joined up with the rest of the family. The kids had a great time with George.

We moved my stuff to the Lake cabin and Coletta and her car are staying with me. Glad I paid more for a wonderful bathroom in the cabin. I actually did it because I didn't want to be running to the bathroom in the middle of the night with wild animals out there! But it is coming in handy with the hot water.

Years ago there used to be hundreds of bears that would stop traffic but now, no bears now but buffalo instead. We saw 2 of them year ago, now herds of them! So nice to see them since they had been so close to extinction. There are a lot of elk also!




They are really exciting to see. Their heads are huge! and their feet are so small for their weight!
Tonight we are staying at the Lake Cabin.

Days 16-20 video

Day 19 Sunday June 27th

The family all joined up at the Canyon Lodge at noon. I was feeling a lot better and we decided to go to see the Mammoth Springs in the north-west part of Yellowstone. While we were there Colleta felt she needed her leg checked again. It was 4:50 and the clinic closed at 5pm. After a wait Coletta was told she should get a sonigram on her leg and the nearest hospital with a person available to do the sonigram was in Billings, Montana.

After hooking up with the rest of the family it was decided that George would take all the kids and Coletta's car back to the campsite and Cathy and I would take Coletta in Cathy's van to Billings. All was taken care of by 10 pm. All was well it was superficial and would take care of itself. The doc told us not to drive back because it is dangerous to drive with deer hopping all over that road at night. Her advice: get a motel room for the night....or drive and "aim for the butt!" We took her first advice and got a room..."girls night out".

Coletta outside the emergency room!

Day 18 June 26 Buffalo Bill Park to Yellowstone

The sun rises!

I got up early to paint.

Amanda has had a cold and thought she was coming down with an ear infection. Coletta also had a spot behind her knee that looks strange. We went back to Cody for an Urgent Care appt. Amanda was fine, Coletta had a couple of small blood clots removed from a superficial vein.

After breakfast we were on the road again. We should be in Yellowstone Park by this afternoon!

I do need to mention at this point that the wild flowers we have seen are massive and beautiful. Since it has been such a late spring we are getting to see all the flowers that normally would have been gone by now. We are so lucky!

We arrived in Yellowstone and headed for The Canyon Lodge. I am staying in a cabin. I had planned great things for today and tomorrow, but I am now coming down with a cold. By the time we get to the cabin I am exhausted and my head is feeling awful. They drop me off and I can't even get up enough energy to walk a bit to the lodge cafe. And worst part is I really looked forward to seeing the Lower Yellowstone Falls to plan how I was going to paint it.

Meanwhile, the rest of the family is camping at Madison Junction Campgrounds.

Mary Kay Painting

I was unaware Cathy had taken this picture. I was up early that morning to "catch the light". I look like I should have stayed in bed!!

Day 17 June 25 Prune Creek to Buffalo Bill State Park, WY

Prune Creek is a very beautiful campground. It is very high and it is warned that it can have cold nights even in the summer. We didn't seem to have any problems with that regard. But Cathy and I did not feel well and out of breath. We figured we had altitude sickness and tried to increase our fluids. Although later I realized that part of my problem was probably because at 6:30 I woke up with fumes in my tent from an RV generator that ran till about 7:30. My tent is one of those nylon type with window screens and a rain guard to cover them. This means the windows on two side are open at all times. Smoke and fumes can come in. Our old canvas tent never had this problem. Any how I didn't feel better till lunch time. Cathy has asthma so I was concerned about her and catching her breath.

Back to Prune Creek, very pretty and we were camped next to the creek (actually it looked more like a river). I was going to do a watercolor but Timmy decided to throw my brush washer/water holder into the creek and before I could get to him there it went, floating down the river! He still thinks it is lots of fun to throw everything he can into water. Little stinker!

Before leaving, Ben had a run in with dogs in a camp down the way. Coletta was the hero this time! It was pretty scary but Ben seemed to get over it quickly. More quickly than the rest of us!

We left Prune Creek with a beautiful drive along a huge gorge. I think I enjoyed the scenery most on this drive, even though I felt like I was going to barf! The ride was so downhill that the brakes heated up so we had to go in the lowest gear.

Snow on the mountains ahead. There is a storm in the west. Hope we don't get any of it!
Buffalo Bill State Park, WY

We arrived at Buffalo Bill Park after getting groceries in Cody, Wy. It is a very nice state park. It is in a canyon with beautiful rock formation and lovely views. Luke wants to climb the canyon walls. He doesn't realize the canyon looks much closer than it is. Ever since Calico he has been wanting to climb everything!
The sun sets....

It was pretty windy though that afternoon. But George's new tent is impervious to wind, rain hail sleet, hurricanes as will as the dark of night! I just parked mine behind his! though it wasn't that wind to need it. But we are sort of shell-shocked about wind after Mt Rushmore!

Got through on my cell to sister, Teresa. She won't be joining us in Yellowstone. Still not feeling strong enough after her bout with shingles.

days 14-16 video

Map of our trip as of Prune Creek

Day 16 June 24 Devils Tower to Prune Creek

View from the Devil's Tower KOA, Wyoming
The Indians had a story that a big bear made the marks on the tower while trying to climb up and get braves that were on the top.
We left the Devil's Tower KOA early and went to see the tower up close.



We left the Devil's Tower KOA early and went to see the tower up close. It was a very interesting sight.

We were very glad we had gotten to the tower early because when we got back to the KOA there was a long line of cars to get to the tower.

Then we left to go to Prune Creek State Park, Wy.

Day 15 Crazy Horse

A group of Indian elders decided that a memorial should be created to honor the Indian heritage. They asked a sculptor that had won many honors and had worked on Mt. Rushmore to make the sculpture of Crazy Horse, a famed Indian hero. The sculptor, Korczak, worked on the monument until his death, then his family took over the work.

Today the family still works on the monument and does fundraising for the work as well. Also, Indian artisans work and sell items at the Crazy Horse Gift Shop and Museum.

I really got a lot out of the monument and hope all goes well with the work on it.

Off we go to get the tent and explore Cabella's. Then on the road...On to Devil's Tower!

First view of Devil's Tower. It was the center of an ancient volcano. The center cooled as a plug. The volcano was eroded away but the center, made of harder material still stands.
From the KOA campground at dusk.

Day 15 The Tree Huggers

Even after the Dreaded Hot Dog Curse we took our picture and there were still happy faces! What an adventure! Actually it seems like every time a problem comes up everyone accepts it with grace and humor!

We left the KOA to visit the famed Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse on our way to get the new tent.

Did you know that George Washington's first nose is at the bottom of the mountain?

Timothy renewed his love for the telescopes!


And we all gathered with the Presidents for a portrait!

Off to Crazy Horse......

Day 15 Those dreaded Hotdogs! Video

Day 15 - The STORM

This morning dawned with little evidence in the sky of last night's storm. But since we had heard last night on TV that there were 70 mile an hour wind in Rapid City and it seemed pretty strong at the KOA Coletta and I had gone to bed in the lodge worrying about those in the tents. When we caught up with them we heard the story of wind, rain, hail, the tents collapsing around them, the mad dash for shelter in the van, and the luck of getting the last cabin to be had!! George and Luke were the heros of the day (or rather night!)

This is a bit of the story we heard:




George was making trips to the laundromats at the KOA drying all the sleeping bags, etc.

Definitely on the agenda for today is a trip to Cabella's, a favorite sporting goods store for George. He had a new tent in mind after last night!! The nearest Cabella's is just outside of Rapid City.

DAY 15 Wednesday June 23rd

Day 15

Today we leave Mt. Rushmore - first stop shop for a new and more sturdy tent. Last night we were drenched in a rain storm that blew our tents down. We ended up staying in the KOA Lodge and spent the night drying our cloths in the laundromat.

Then off to Crazy Horse, SD

Next stop Devils Tower, Wyoming

Day 14 June 22 Hill City/Mt Rushmore KOA

This is the Hill City/Mt Rushmore KOA view of the lodge on the hill. This KOA is very large, clean and well taken care of. It seems perfect for RVs. It is located in a small valley. For tenters though it is like setting up in the middle of a NY street. There are tons of RVs right in the whole center of the park. The tents are on the outside of the RVs. I think it would be an improvement if they put the tent area separate. When you go to the rest rooms/showers you have to walk through the Rvs.

They have a wonderful stable and opportunity for riding. It is great to see the horses return to the stables in the evening.

Day 13 June 22 Mt Rushmore tonight

Today we left a very nice KOA campground at Kennebeck, SD. Very friendly staff and nice tenting area. We took off and a bit down the highway a bag flies off Coletta's baggage rack. Stopped and picked stuff up....had forgotten to batten down the hatch!

We took the scenic route through the badlands of SD. The prettiest I have ever seen them! I think the other times were from the south end. Will post pics when I get home. My camera broke so had to get a new one. I liked the other one better but hope the pictures turn out ok.

Wall Drugs was our lunch stopping point. It sure has changed throughout the years, huge now , a whole little town itself. Real tourist trap with tourist buses and all.

On to the Black Hills of SD. We arrived at our KOA and tons of RVs!! Looks sort of like rain! I had booked a room at the lodge with 2 double beds. I offered anyone the other bed, Coletta took me up on it. We helped the rest set up camp then headed for the lodge. By the time we got to our room it started really raining!!! All my thoughts are in those tents....well, they know where to come if it gets too bad!

Day 12 continued

We went out to visit Uncle Mark and Aunt Barbara on their farm. We had a nice visit. Ben enjoyed teaching Uncle Mark his alphabet and drawing for him.
Uncle Mark, the family patriarch



The old grainery

and the old barn

Day 12, June 20 Sioux City Area

Coletta, Amanda and I went to check out the cemetery where my mother's side of the family is buried. It is a very nice cemetery but it really showed signs of a wind storm they had had earlier. Lots of trees and branches were downed.

Where my grandparents are buried.
On the other side of the stone is my mother.
And my dear Uncle Berney who we were hoping to see when we made this trip.
Aunt Madonna had passed away just months before we could see her again also.

Day 11 continued - the wedding

Cathy, George and family left for the Omaha Zoo.
Meanwhile, Coletta, Amanda and I recovered from our adventures in Elk Point, SD and returned to the hotel to get ready for the wedding.




The new Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Chicoine

The beautiful bride!



We had a wonderful time celebrating a new marriage with the bride and groom and visiting with all the relatives. It was so good to see them again.