Tuesday, June 14, 2011

I'm Back!!!!!!!!!

     WOW!  What an awesome vacation!  I just have to share a few of the things we saw.  These may be no big deal to some of you {like my Canadian friend Nancy who probably sees this a LOT :-)}, but to this sea level low lander it was AMAZING!  Plus I never expected to see all the snow that was still lingering.  Huge climate change from 100+ to 30-40 degrees.  Now I have to re-adjust and this way is much harder.  :-)
     We stopped long enough in St. Louis to see the arch.  I honestly thought it was about a third of its actual size.  It's HUGE!!

Onward north to South Dakota to see the Badlands and Mt. Rushmore.


The way this monument was built is just incredible.  Those men were some brave souls!

The main event--YELLOWSTONE!

Yellowstone Lake is about 20 miles long and 430 feet at its deepest point.  I was just awed at the amount of it that was covered in ice, and the view across it to the mountains is so beautiful.

Old Faithful!

Next stop, the Grand Tetons.

Here are just a few of the fun critters we saw along the way.
This buffalo must be VERY important.  It's the only one we saw with a tracking collar.  Hard to believe that cute little guy grows up into its companion.  LOL
I think this little guy is a marmot.
A little lady Bighorn sheep.

     These are just a few of the digital pics I took.  I still have NINE rolls of 35mm film to develop!  LOL
     I've missed all you guys and will be making my way around to visiting you all ASAP. 

8 comments:

Nancy said...

WELCOME HOME, Tracy!! I missed you even though you had such wonderful posts! You realize you have to do lots of layouts now, right? lol Love the photos, and love that you got a taste of snow! :o) You were so close to me...at least a lot closer than usual! Can't wait to hear more! :o)

Kristina said...

Wow Tracy, what a fabulous trip!! I loved seeing the Tetons and Yellowstone, it's so beautiful! I have yet to see Mt. Rushmore but it's on my list :o)

Welcome back, so happy you had a good time!!

Geri said...

Oh, my gosh, Tracy! Your photos are great! And they bring back wonderful memories of trips out west with family to see my grandparents in California! Those were amazing and memorable sights that I am determined that my own kids will see in a couple years. When I was a child, we drove out the southern route and came home the northern route, camping at a different spot each night. I remember being afraid that the bears of Yellowstone would rip into our little pop-up camper! Thanks so much for sharing!! I love your card on the previous post! The image, colors and layout are all fantastic together!!

Dana said...

Great photos and I'm so glad to see you back!! It looks like it was an amazing trip. My Gramma was from Red Lodge, MT and can you believe I've never been? I really need to someday, just wish I would've taken a trip there with her while we still had her with us!
Hugs~
Dana

Unknown said...

Oh Tracy, it looks like you've had an AMAZING holiday girl! LOVE those photos you took and I can only imagine that in real life everything looks so much prettier than in a picture! It's so good to have you back with us, though :-) Welcome back girl! Hugs, Ira x

Unknown said...

Well my friend it looks like you had an amazing Vacation.. I have been to Yellowstone park a couple of times.. It is a truly wonderful place to visit.. And I would love to make it out to St. Louis one of these days!! Thanks so much for sharing you photos with us..

Hugs, Linda

Sherry Kushibab said...

Great photos - looks like you had a fabulous trip. Thanks for including the Arch in your pics (its my home for another 6 weeks) hope we Missourians were good to you as you traveled through.

CraftySil said...

Love the photos! I'm sure you have to be there to really appreciate it...I'd love to visit Mt. Rushmore, and oh! my Yellowstone, lucky you! The tempeture change, oh goodness, that is a dramatic adjustment.