The Journey is the Destination, Part 2

All smiles at the beginning of the trip

A portion of our summer road trip was spent with three of our grandchildren; Caitlin aged 9 and her twin brothers Riley and Zachary aged 6.  After spending time away from their parents last summer with us on our trip to the Great Smoky Mountains, we were confident that 14 days in a 25 foot rented RV would be a breeze.  And, for the most part it was.  We set off from Denver Colorado the evening of May 26th heading only an hours drive north for our first night.  Although small and at times cramped with the "valuable" gear they each had to bring, we quickly assumed a daily routine of life on the road.   Our initial itinerary included travel through Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Montana, with overnights at 7 different campgrounds and visits to 4 National Parks.  The kids were great, enjoying the wandering while suffering through Grandpa's jokes...."Utah me crying at the chapel" was a particular repetitive favorite of his which  I doubt they ever quite "got".

Home, home on the range...in Wyoming

Dinosaur National Monument was a big hit, after all what kid doesn't love dinosaurs!   Although the Quarry is closed until further notice while repairs are made on the building structure, there was still enough to keep their interest. We hiked to a location where a park ranger pointed out some of the fossils embedded in the rock.  The dinosaur exhibit at the museum in Vernal Utah helped fill in what they missed.

Examining the Petroglyphs at Dinosaur national Monument

Next to Wyoming with stops at Jackson Hole to watch a shoot out with Buffalo Bill Cody in what is boasted as “a lively reenactment of frontier justice”

Waiting for the shoot out in Jackson Hole

At the rodeo in Cody Wyoming,  Caitlin joined the other children chasing calves to pull ribbons off their tails.  Entering Yellowstone the kids were each given a challenge to search for wild animals and we were   amused to see a big ol' buffalo slowly meandering down the middle of the road, undaunted by the traffic jam it caused.

Although cold and snowy, no trip to Yellowstone is complete without a stop at Old Faithful, the world's most famous geyser.  

Old Faithful

Next into Montana with plans to visit Little Bighorn National Park where on  two days in June, 1876, 263 soldiers, including  Col. George Custer and attached personnel of the U.S. Army, died fighting several thousand Lakota, and Cheyenne warriors. We made a preliminary stop to check out the park,  where we planned to spend the following day,  in time to listen to a ranger discuss the events that took place that day so long ago.  That stop was fortuitous, since the next day our adventures were challenged by a stomach flu which shortened our trip.

Now as I reflect on the trip and the exposures to portions of this beautiful country which we shared with the children, the unexpected change of plans seems almost inconsequential.  I trust they will remember the fun and experiences they participated in rather than the sickness that brought an abrupt halt to our adventure.  I know that I will.

 Flaming Gorge National Recreational Area Utah