Our "recent" road trip was a trek across three states various uncomfortable beds, eating out and out of a cooler, and proving the point that everything just takes longer with a baby. One day into our road trip the plan for feeding Liam on the road was ruined by a somewhat/when it wanted to work "working" breast pump. Nonetheless we all survived, unfortunately without our dog who was left home with the like of Sophie.
One of the highlights of the trip was taking a short detour to visit Kim and her new baby. At less than a week old in this picture, Liam looks huge compared to his new friend Kamryn. We were happy to report back that Mom, Dad, baby and Grandma and Grandpa were all doing great!
The real purpose of this whole trip was so Kyle could attend a conference in Billings. We arrived a day early to take in the sights and just have fun before Daddy would become occupied by electricity and whatever else happens at this conference (after attending two of them I really don't know.) After doing some research on the Internet I found a little state park that sounded interesting and close to town, Pictograph Caves State Park. After faulty directions from TomTom we finally found this place. Prior to this trip I warned Kyle that I had read on one website to "bring water and good shoes for the walk, this is not a stroll this is a hike!" Sorry to whoever wrote that, this is a half mile walk on gravel, regardless Kyle and I had a laugh about it as we walked around and observed some of the great cave drawings left from an earlier time.
These are rifles (red) the black line marked ground level when the drawing were first discovered. The ground is now 3-4 feet below this mark due to nature and erosion.
Liam's drawing of Daddy, he is so talented!!!
After a few days of "wining and dining" in Billings we hit the road again. I have always wanted to go to Yellowstone, this seemed like a perfect opportunity for me to get my one day there. By some strange twist of fate I was able to get a one night reservation at Old Faithful Inn on the exact night we needed it.
So after lunch we started south towards Cody, Wy and the east entrance of Yellowstone. At this point we think we should be at Old Faithful in time for a nice dinner and some relaxing. After leaving Cody, a little heavier in fireworks (technically this is my fault because I pulled over at a fireworks superstore to feed Liam and what else was Kyle to do) we continued to the gates of Yellowstone. When we arrived there, instead of being greeted by a friendly park ranger who took our money and said have a nice day, we were greeted by a friendly park ranger who said the gates don't open until 8 pm due to avalanche danger (note it is 5:45 pm). So we killed some time eating dinner and decided to head back to the gate to be the "first in line" at 7 pm, we were wrong, but I will get to that later. Anyways to waste more time and get Liam out of his car seat we let him sit at the steering wheel and practice driving with his shorts on his head. Why because what else are you going to do with a baby in a car for an hour.
This is the line waiting to get into Yellowstone, you cannot see the gates and you cannot see the end of the line. However you can see us, we are in front of a red truck between the two campers closest to the gates.
After a restful night at Old Faithful Inn we got an early start walking around the area check out the geysers and pools. We decided to take a hike to a scenic overlook. I will never again question Kyle with "do you think the stroller will make it?" Of course it made it, it is the Notorious B-O-B! Amazingly enough Liam slept through the hike, as seen below.
Old Faithful Geyser
Beehive Geyser
Old Faithful Inn
Along the way back Liam needed to stop for dinner. This was our view from "dinner" at Grand Teton National Park.
Baby and Mother moose along the drive back in Grand Teton National Park. This is right after we saw a car chase involving a large Dodge truck towing a boat and two park ranger trucks.
