old faithful

Yellowstone’s Old Faithful was just about 20 minutes from its next predicted eruption. Perfect timing to see some warm ups, followed by an over five minute eruption! It really is awe-some! We were able to complete the junior ranger program and had a view of the geyser’s next eruption from lunch at the lodge.

grand tetons wildlife

As we drove through the Grand Tetons enjoying the amazing views, we ran into hundreds of photographers and cars stopped focused on three bears not far from the side of the road. Turns out it was the famous 22 year old Grizzly Bear 399 with her one year old twins! Her recognizable silvery coat shimmered in the sun. Then if that wasn’t enough to make us giddy, a few miles later the car in front of us slowed as we realized we were driving right next to three more grizzly bears emerging from the woods and walking along as we slowly drove next to them. Unbelievable! That group then turned back into the woods and we felt so lucky to have caught a glimpse of them. My roommate, based on which bears had reportedly emerged from their dens already, believes we saw 399’s 12 year old 610.

jackson hole

So great to visit the Petricks and see how well the kids get along while exploring such a beatiful place. These are the days that will be forever memories!

jackson makers

My college roommate lives in such a beautiful part of the country, but in addition they work with a great program at the Teton Science Schools. We lucked out with a visit that coincided with their Maker Faire, which was so much fun. Making memories taking apart a laptop, learning to solder, and watching the giant robots battle.

phelps lake

This hike to Phelps Lake was five miles all total and it turns out the boys can do it with no complaints! Kelli taught them how the glaciers formed the area, and other fun lessons from her adventure groups. The spot we ate lunch was beautiful and had some very friendly chipmunks. The snow melt made for a rushing river which followed our path.

idaho falls

We made Idaho Falls so much fun by meeting up with my college roommate and her family at her closest zoo from Jackson, WY.  Cute goats and blackberry ice cream! It was such a treat to visit right up until they closed.

great salt lake

We also had time to drive over to Antelope Island to see the Great Salt Lake up close. Despite the bugs that loved J and the mineral smell from the very salty lake, we walked all the way down to the water through thick sand, and then crunchy salt terrain. Someone built those stone circles which reminded the boys of the Zelda game (we showed them so much terrain and cool formations that reminded them of the Breath of the Wild). On our way around the island, we saw our first giant bison.

leonardo

We cruised into Salt Lake City after a night in Richfield. The Leonardo museum was marketed as a hybrid art and science museum - perfect! It was awesome! There was actually a Lego corporate team onsite filming a promo video and a Lego Master Builder building live. The Flight exhibit was an awesome feature with huge planes (one even had a twirly slide for big people) and physics lessons. The Leonardo DaVinci lab space was very memorable with so much to see and interact with, including a theramin instrument, an Alice computer, Brackitz with pulleys (Aiden’s favorite and he built a crane), and tons of legos.

capitol reef

Capitol Reef had a really chill ranger that casually told us not to miss an area at the end of the road where it becomes a dirt road. Turns out it is quite narrow and the canyon seems to be hanging over you as you drive with some giddy giggly guys and a dad white knuckling it and hilariously describing the drive in a funny voice - the boys favorite. Those are the moments memories are made - ha! We turned around (after making it almost 2 miles!) and headed back for some fresh homemade ice cream next to the horse farm and the fruit trees. Being able to pet a horse made up for the drive - ha! We checked out the tiny schoolhouse that was still in use until 1931 right next to the long path full of petroglyphs along the rock wall.

bryce canyon

Bryce’s hoodoos and bristlebrush charmed us. We earned the junior ranger badges (seeing our first glimpse of prairie dogs in the visitor center that would become a bigger part of the trip later). We stopped at a bunch of stops and headed up to hike the Bristlebrush loop trail. It was breezy and the guy that strung up his hammock at the edge had the right idea. We ate a really nice dinner at the Bryce Canyon Lodge and caught the light dipping lower as it got later.

glen canyon dam

This was a highlight for the boys to check out the Glen Canyon Dam tour. It was interesting to hear how it was constructed and how it works to provide water to the whole area.

antelope dark

Lower Antelope Canyon is even more amazing than I expected it to be, and my expectations were pretty high as this one came off my bucket list! Some darker spots of the canyon you could see shades of purples, red, and oranges. Our navajo guide took some really great shots for us.

antelope light

The slot canyon had varying degrees of light streaming in from above. The formations had some interesting iron and calcium deposits. There was one that looked like a lion paw and another formation that looked like a lion profile (middle on the left). Keaton especially was amazed and giddy everytime we turned a corner.

antelope canyon

Such a ridiculous number of amazing photos from this bright sunny day... and be assured this isn't even all of them!

horseshoe bend

On Day two, we made it up to the northern border of Arizona near Page. Horseshoe Bend is a trek over some sand and rocks. The water that loops below is many shades of green and blue. When you're up there you're standing right on the edge, which makes it pretty memorable.

grand canyon

These guys made my mother's day and the kick off to our road trip home GRAND! We cruised up to the Grand Canyon for stop numero uno. It was a nice visit to Mather Point and the visitor center for these junior rangers to earn their badges and to attend a Critter Chat. The ranger was so fun and told us all about wolves game show style. The pregnant elk all around the park deserved a big happy Mother's Day too!

cya tucson

Our last days in Tucson were spent saying good byes to family (with cute little bunnies they were fostering), our favorite Reid Park Zoo (and giving the giraffes some treats), and lots of swimming and splashing in the very hot weather (that reminded us why everyone doesn't just live in Tucson all the time and even convinced me to get in our chilly pool).

good list tucson

So many favorite things in Tucson... Tops is family that spoils the boys with some super fun Dave and Buster's treats (thanks Nana and Grampa!)

Reuniting with old friends and having your kids be friends is really, really good.

Old friends that are having so much success with really fun spots all over town - and getting to see a new Tap open in the Mercado.

The Children's Museum still being fun for everyone...especially the slow mo jumping ;)

 

 Old friends that appreciate donuts as much as you do - and man, Amy's knows how to make what might be the best donuts I've ever had.

Live Theater Workshop is truly a gem in the desert. The Spaceman Z ero show was so much fun! I will miss that small venue where you feel like you are in the action.

These happy meal treats are just made for my zoo/animal loving boys!

Gallon man came to visit in Tucson from the first grade class at Mantua ;)

Those Tucson sunsets!

draw

A big draw at the museum was the area where you could color a sea creature, scan it in, and it would appear on the interactive screen. Watching them all float around and pop and jump was really mesmerizing. The really tiny gypsum glitter sand area with lights was so calming.

climb

This two story multiple room are was really awesome. Another good one to feed the imagination. There was one long tunnel that turned and then opened into a room with another lower tunnel that took you to a room full of spoons hanging from the ceiling. The boys got half way and then didn't want to go by themselves, so they came back out and convinced me to go with them, so I got to be surprised along with them in the dim room with a tiny window lighting it while spoons clanked and clinked. One room opened to a two story area full of spider web ropes. Another had a trick door where you could go in and spin around and exit the other side so it looked like you disappeared.