Foto Story Friday #117-- Family Gathering/ Trip to Yellowstone 2nd half of day 3

On our way to the van for lunch, we came across this funny sign and so of course, I had to take a picture!

While eating lunch, I tried out my sister and brother-in-law's LensBaby.  The focus is all manual on a LensBaby.  So these next few are my attempts at using it.

Just a tree stump.

The beautiful blue sky.

A pinecone.

My sister, Colleen, waiting for us slow pokes!

We were still at the Norris Geyser Basin on the other trail.  This one was also taken with the LensBaby.  The steam added an extra element to the effect.

This geyser is the worlds largest.  It is completely unpredictable though.  It shoots up often, but doesn't REALLY go off on a regular basis.  There is a park ranger who tell ya all about it.

Another view of it. It is actually 2 geysers.

The above geyser's water flows down the hill and it rushes after it's small blasts, I couldn't really imagine what it would be like when it actually goes off.  I think the ranger said the last time it went off was in 2007.

Same area through the LensBaby.

Just walking along and I liked the way this formation looked.

We headed over to see the falls.  It was a bit of a drive and we were supposed to be back to camp for dinner but it was our last day to see the park, so we went anyway.  We hiked down to the lower falls.  It is quite the hike down and not much for rails or protection should you slip.  The trail zig zags down the mountain.  I couldn't believe I saw people carrying kids on their shoulders and even a guy pushing a stroller.  I was glad my little kids were back at camp, it was making me nervous!

This is the upper falls, but we didn't have the time to hike over to it.  Look at how much water comes rushing over the edge.  

In case you are wondering why Yellowstone is called Yellowstone.......

The lower falls spills over the edge 

and into the valley below.

The mighty Yellowstone River cuts its way through the valley.

In case you were wondering IF I really was there! :)  My sister took this photo for me and her husband and daughter joined me in the photo op!

As we were headed back towards camp, I saw this scene and we HAD to stop.  In Yellowstone, if one car stops, everyone behind is sure you see wildlife.... we did trick a couple of cars ..... joke was on them as all we were seeing was this beautiful sky! 

The closer we got to camp, the worse the weather got.  By the time we arrived in was pouring!  Colleen's tent looked bad..... there was quite a bit of water inside.  Both of our tents were good, little to no water.  Ryanne's tent also suffered, broken poles and floating sleeping bags.  Colleen and her family drove to a motel for the night.  Ryanne and her family stayed in Mom and Dad's RV and we roughed in in the tents!  The kids tent got some water in it but they were dry enough.  The next morning it was time to pack it up and head for home.

Breakfast first..... Mom brings the cereal over.

Dad prepares the RV for the trip.

It was strange seeing him walking around up there.

The sky was beautiful all the way home!

Hosted by Lisa and Cecily