{ Sunday, 03 August 2009 }
So it was another late night driving from South Dakota into Wyoming. Despite the late hour I was able to drive a few hours before stopping to sleep. {NOTE: It's been over ten days since these events occurred so my memory is a bit dimmed. Family, let me know if I'm missing something important and I'll be sure to include them. } I awoke five hours later and continued driving, I think. We reached Wyoming, stopped at Kmart to buy Taylor Swift's sophomore album because those radio stations just didn't play her enough, and Vons to buy more fruit. Goodness, those babies eat fruit like candy.
As we followed the signs to Yellowstone we drove up the mountain and viewed the pretty river following us. We passed by picturesque forests, lovely log cabins and the occasional animal. It wasn't until we broke through the mountain peak did we discover just how gorgeous Wyoming is... and its gorgeousness is attributed to Buffalo Bill's lake. While driving past the lovely opal green waters everyone commented on how the waters are beckoning them. So I pulled a U-turn in that honking motorhome and we paid the six dollar fee to spend an hour swimming. The water was frigid but the smiles on our children's faces and the relaxed expressions on the adults made the pit stop well worth it.
THE FIRST TIME THESE INNER TUBES SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY
HULA HOOP TIME!
I'M READY, DAD
GETTING READY TO HIKE DOWN TO THE LAKE
LOOKS ARE DECEIVING; THE WATER IS COOOOOLD!
YOU CAN'T SEE IT BUT MAILE AND GIAN ARE REALLY HAVING FUN
ARE YOU READY, KALE'A?
THIS IS FUN DAD
... DITTO!
WHERE'S MAMA?
LET'S GO, AUNTIE LEI
MAILE, DON'T BE SCARED...
... DADDY'S NEAR BY
... AND SO IS AUNTIE JENN
WARMING UP ON THE HOT ROCKS
MAMA CHRISTINE, JOIN IN ON THE FUN
We saw a little inlet across our little bay so Atelei decided to swim to it. She reached it so we thought to document her feat:
THAT'S QUITE A SWIM, SISTER
Then, because she made it look like fun, Brandon, Kale'a and I decided to join her. Goodness, my leg almost cramped on the way there but we all succeeded.
READY
SET
SWIM!
AND HERE IS WHAT PRETTY MAILE DID WHILE WE WERE ONE OUR LITTLE EXPEDITION
BRANDON HAD TO ONE-UP US
10.0
NO, I TAKE IT BACK: ATELEI TOTALLY ONE-UPED US ALL
Now I wish we had taken more photos of our drive through Yellowstone. We knew we'd be going back the next day so instead of staying stuck behind the lens, all of us just decided to enjoy the view and snap photos in our mind. We passed the huge lake and the rain drops made the waters glisten. The forest fire damage could still be seen but below the charred trunks and leafless trees you could see moss and wildflowers and grass peeking above the ground. And then, to our utter amazement, we saw this:
A real life bison! It was incredibly cool to see him walking down the road. He didn't even bother to look over at us; he seemed oblivious that he was the center of attention for the dozen or so vehicles stopped to snap his photo.
Then Kale'a got hold of the camera and went photo crazy. Here's two of his best photos:
Cute, no? We arrived safely at the Koa Kampground just outside Yellowstone on the Montana side. And because we actually arrived at a decent hour - 6:30 PM - we were able to cook beefsteak and rice and slice fruit and actually eat outside under the crisp mountain air. It was quite lovely. After dinner the keikis went to bed, Brandon went off to do more laundry, mom and dad went to sleep and Atelei and I decided to jump into the spa. But upon arriving we saw that it was occupied by four men and a few ladies. Too bad; we opted to shower and sleep. Besides, tomorrow will be another busy day of sightseeing.
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