Day 14, Day 15 and HOME!

 Day 14: Yellowstone NP

After a LONG drive yesterday, we were able to sleep in a little before heading to Yellowstone. We entered in the West, North entrances are still closed. What a beautiful drive in!

Our first stop was random, and there were a few herds of bison, just hanging out. Lots of babies.

Then we headed to the hot springs/geysers. The terrain looks like a different planet.

And Grandpa got to see Old Faithful! So did the kids - the last time we were here we had definitely missed it and I told them it was a different one going off haha (mother of the year).

After setting up camp, we went to Hayden Valley, because it is the trip of Hayden, apparently.

We headed back for a smorgasbord of a dinner and a warm fire. 

Today's Lessons:

1. Grandpa is a coffee thief. Two "free" cups later...

2. The REAL story of the animal in our tent: turns out we just exceeded the weight limit on the air mattress by having Charlie and I both on it and it popped up the seam, forcefully. We discovered this as we blew up the air mattress for Yellowstone camping and there was an excessive bulge on one side from lack of a seam. So, not an animal punching Charlie in the butt in the middle of the night. 

3. 3G just means "no service but we will try and give you hope that your message reaches the outside world". 

4. Cruise massages can give you contact dermatitis. 

5. When you don't know you have contact dermatitis and add a full day in the car + jeans + hiking it will equal: a giant rash down your backside. 

Day 15: How many National Monuments can you hit in one day?

The correct answer is 2, when you are leaving Yellowstone and headed home.

After a COLD night (talking 30 degrees in a tent) we got up early, packed up, and headed out. Charlie and Grandpa slept in the car, so they had a slightly less cold evening. Saw a mama bear and a cub on our way out. From a distance, not in our tent.

We then began the haul back home. We drove to Devil's Tower National Monument:

And then made our way to Mount Rushmore:

(That's right, still smiling on day 15)

And then back on the road home. 

Today's Lessons:

1. If you are a camper, especially in bear country, please don't be an asshole and leave out YOUR GARBAGE BAG. Our neighbor's at Yellowstone clearly didn't care about fines or other campers. 

2. 30 degrees at night is still 30 degrees, I don't care if the sleeping bag has a temperature rating of zero.

3. Nick got his last McDonald's of the trip - couldn't pass up the photo op.

4. Speaking of photo ops: meet this 90s band:

Feel free to ask them for their band name when you see them.

Final Thoughts:

After a long, but rewarding 15 days, here are my big take-aways:

Don't forget the tarp for under the tent. Actually, just do a double check of all camping gear for the right size/amounts. 

Do the free laundry when you can - musty was the word of the second week and the cruise charged $30/load (which we skipped, but maybe should have taken).

There are a lot of places that are still cold in June - double check the forecast for both day and night.

Don't plan/go on a cruise 6 weeks before you need to fit into a wedding dress.

If you fall on a hike, you might have fractured 3 ribs. Grandpa.

We have now hit 49/50 states across the country - Hawaii being the last one. I have a feeling travel will be more difficult now that Hayden is going off on his own, but I'm hoping we figure out how to complete all 50. I mean, I did put the deposit down on another cruise...  But, I'm grateful for every moment I get with these kids and this family while the crazy around just keeps going. We will have to see what the next few years bring for us, no major plans for next summer. Yet.

As always, thank you for traveling with us, if you're still reading this :)

Adventure is out there 🎈