Extreme Yellowstone

Our fabulous trip over the weekend was snowmobiling in Yellowstone Park. It's something we have wanted to do for a couple years and we decided that this was the year for it. We never know when the tree-hugging judge in DC is going to cut our park off from us, so we took the opportunity this year.

The weather was perfect, the company was delightful, our guide was kind and the scenery was unmatched.

Join me now for a picture journal of the day:

We met our friends at the hotel Sunday evening (our reservation for the snowmobiles was on Monday) and enjoyed some time in the pool. Shackie and I thought we'd bypass the cold water shock by just jumping in. Yes, I have to plug my nose when I go under water!

Buttercup and Max were bright eyed as we checked into the snowmobile rental place.

This was Inigo's first snowmobile trip into Yellowstone. Of course he had to ride with his father.

Buttercup's riding partner was one of the kids from the University that came along. His name is Playdough.

At first Buttercup grumbled about coming, but once she was there, she decided that it wasn't so bad after all. Maybe it's because she got to ride with a cute college boy!

Max had an ambition to join the Olympic gymnastic team, but realized his backflips were inadequate. Unfortunately, the judges frown on contestants that land on their head, as he demonstrates here.

Gibbon Falls: One of three waterfalls we saw that day. (This is for you, Dad!)

Proof that I was on the trip.

Lunch in the warming hut at Canyon: Buck, Pizza and Playdough ate yummy sandwiches then played with animal pelts (seen on the table behind Buck). While my family gives the best poses of the day. Buttercup thinks she is hiding behind the chocolate chip cookie!

Shackie, Miss Doolittle and Stinky.

Our family picture for the month. (Thanks Shackie for doing such a good job!)

The Lower Falls taken at Artist Point. We could see river otter footprints down on the frozen river. I wish we could have seen the otter!!

Our group. You can see that I'm the only one not wearing something on my head. I have to say the balaclavas and helmets gave me claustrophobia! I took them off every time we stopped the machine!

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. This is Upper Falls taken from the North Rim. (Across the canyon from where our family picture was taken!)

They are very strict about riding snowmobiles in Yellowstone. There are many rules: You must have a guide. You must ride single file. You cannot exceed 45 mph. You must always stay on the road. And you cannot idle the machine for more than 5 minutes. Still, I thought that machines smelled better than the snow coaches!

Inigo had a great time!

We all had a great time!!!