Yellowstone {Part One}

Our trip to Yellowstone was a truly amazing experience and if you're thinking about visiting there I can highly recommend it.  It's an incredible place that is so diversely beautiful, you can't help but fall in love with it.

One of the biggest differences we experienced right when we arrived was the change in temperature. During the course of the week it fluctuated between 29°F and 48°F, quite a shock to the system after coming from temps in the high 80°F's.  Still we were prepared with plenty of warm clothing and didn't let a bit of rain or snow spoil our trip.

On our first day we took it easy as we acclimatized to the change in altitude and drove up through Grand Teton National Park into Yellowstone.  We headed to a geyser I'm sure you're all familiar with - Old Faithful.

 

 

 

Old Faithful Geyser

It's not the most frequent geyser in the park but it is the most reliable and it didn't disappoint.  In fact we loved it so much that we spent an hour walking around the surrounding geyser basin so that we could see it a second time.

Old Faithful Geyser Basin

I was blown away by the richness of the colors that could be found around some of the geysers, the smell of sulphur that eminates from them . . . . not so much!

 

 

 

Old Faithful Geyser Basin

Heading back for the day we stopped at Jackson Lake Dam in Teton National Park.  The scenery there literally took my breath away, the pictures really don't do it justice.

Jackson Lake Dam

The peaks you can see off in the distance are part of the Teton Range, each day they looked so different as the cloud cover wrapped and twirled around them.

 

 

The area may be known for it's natural beauty but it's also known for is its wildlife.  Just as we were almost back to our cabin in Jackson we were lucky to see a small herd of Buffalo.  

 

 

I got even more excited when we also came across one of my favorite animals . . . . . a moose.

Isn't he magnificent?

Linking up with James for this weeks'  Weekend Reflections.

Texture Tuesday

Linking up with Kim for this weeks' Texture Tuesday.  The challenge this week was a 'Garden' theme. 

Textured with Serendipity

You may be scratching your heads wondering what this Gargoyle has to do with anything . . . . well I have two of them that used to sit in my garden when I lived in the UK.  Now that I'm in the US they're still with me and sit in my front yard protecting my home.

I'm Back

Thankfully my husband and I didn't get eaten by bears and made it safely back home from our trip to Yellowstone.  We had a truly amazing week and I'll be back here to bore you all with some holiday photos this coming week.

For now, while I have a mountain of laundry to get through, I thought I would share a couple of shots with you.  These babies were the cutest things, I could have easily packed them in my suitcase and brought them home with me.

That was until I realized they turned into these!  Canadian geese were a permanent fixture outside the cabin we stayed in and their super loud squawking was our early morning wake up call!

On Vacation

So I'm just about packed.  My husband and I are heading off to Yellowstone tomorrow for a weeks vacation . . . . woooo hooo.

I've never been there before so I'm really excited despite the rain, snow and freezing temps that we're heading into.  I'm also excited to be unplugged for a week; no email, no internet, it's like my own mini detox.

I hope each of you has an amazing week and I'll catch up with you all when I get back.  It may sound strange but I'm going to miss you guys.  Take care.

New Growth

We had the most amazing storm here last night, the claps of thunder were so loud they shook the entire house.  Watching the lightening light up the night sky was so beautiful though.

Yesterday I was talking about how all this rain has encouraged new growth and there's definitely been an explosion of green around our home.  I've been holding off purchasing plants for our containers until after our vacation but it's been great to see some of the hardier plants reappearing from last year.

One of my favorite plants is Pieris which is planted at the front of our home.  It has the most beautiful leaves and seems to survive the vast changes in temperatures that each season brings.

Our buddlea is also growing like crazy and I can't wait to see it covered in butterflies.  It's located right at the side of our sunroom where I paint and is such a beautiful backdrop during the spring and summer months.

Raindrops

Raindrops keep falling on my head, and just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed, nothin' seems to fit, those raindrops are fallin' on my head, they keep fallin' . . . . . . . . sing along, I know you want to.

Looks like the rain we were predicted this week has finally set in.  Still I can't complain, each rainfall brings an abundance of new growth and I love the burst of green that's taking place around our home.

My husband and I are off to Yellowstone this weekend, I'm so excited. The weather report suggests that it will rain the week we are there but to be honest I don't mind. It will be so good to get away and unplug for a week.  Definitely time to recharge the batteries.

It's very British to talk about the weather, so indulge me . . . . how's the weather in your neck of the woods?

Sunday Creative 'Rock'

Linking up with Madeline for the 'Sunday Creative'. 

Prompt:  'Rock'