Our last Full day in Montana

Thursday, we spent our last full day on the ranch fishing and enjoying time together. 

We made our way down the ranch early to wet a 
line on the Madison for the last day, but 
the rain had other ideas.

So while we waited for the rain to pass, we sipped hot tea and played Yellowstone Monopoly.  Gracie has had her eye on this game every year.  Finally, Matt lugged it home for her this year.

Once the rain cleared, Matt and Lily Graced headed back down to the river.  Matt let LG net for him and so she deemed herself a fishing guide and took over Matt's vest and net.  Too cute!

As the sun started to set, Matt hooked the last fish on a dry fly.

Our last time on the Madison River in MT fishing as a family.

We loved every minute of it!!!!!!!!!

An Exciting Day in Yellowstone!

This was our third year to visit Yellowstone and by far our most exciting.  
Yellowstone is 2.2 million acres and this year we ventured over to the far north side.

We started our day into the park at one of mine and Gracie's 
favorite stops in West Yellowstone, breakfast and the 
Running Bear Pancake House.

The north side of the park is absolutely stunning.  Riding through 
these large boulders and the curve that overhangs the side of a 
mountain is really fun and exciting.

Early on in our trip, we got an exciting sight, we pulled over to 
enjoy our first bear sighting in Yellowstone.

Mammoth Falls

When we entered Mammoth City inside Yellowstone, you see 
elk sitting all around the little town square.  This fellow was 
so still that Matt was sure he wasn't real. He even
suggested Gracie get her picture with him.  SURPRISE!! 
He was very real and they wander all around the square 
and are protected by rangers watching over them to make
 sure they aren't harmed and curious onlookers don't get too 
close.  After all, this is their home and we are simply the guest. 

Ha! Ha!  We opted for a distant pic with the very REAl elk.

How adorable is this little post office on the square?

Lily loved all the old cars being driven around.

We made it all the way to the North entrance and then on to 
Lamar Valley.

The Petrified Tree

Once we arrived at the Petrified Tree we got another surprise.  
We sat and watched this Black Bear graze in the meadow 
for about 30 minutes.  It was very exciting and our second 
bear sighting of the day.

We made a stop at Roosevelt Lodge.

You never know who is going to cross your path in Yellowstone.
This time it was a fox.

See that snow capped mountain.  That is Mount Washburn, 
elevation 10,243 ft

We drove all the way to the peak of Mount Washburn 
and while we were out taking pictures it began to snow 
and hail really hard.  The temperature dropped by 
22 degrees.  It was really fun and something 
we won't soon forget. 

A snow pile still melting at the top.

Floating down the Madison River

On Tuesday, we had a float trip down the Madison.  We had a great time and landed some beautiful trout.  This year, we floated a part of the river we hadn't seen.  It was a real treat. 

We put in at the Pallisades this year.  Gracie and I goofed around while our guide, Nichole got things ready to go.

Her first one and all by herself.  Look at her work for it.

A nice rainbow trout

On our float down, the Salmon flies were out in force.  
People come from all over to fish the Madison for the few 
weeks that the Salmon flies are hatching.  

This was our lunch spot.  Nothing beats sitting on top 
of a mountainside and looking down at this beautiful sight before you.
  

Back on the water

Our trip ended at the Sphinx Mountains

A Little Park and Fishing

Monday we divided our time heading back to the Firehole in the park where we fished the morning and enjoyed lunch and our favorite General Store Diner and Old Faithful in the afternoon.  We had a wonderful time!

We made a stop in the fly-shop on our way to the park and 
Gracie met a new friend, Rosie.  She was adorable!

Another good day on the Firehole

She actually landed the first fish and then decided to take a 
 break and goof off.

Per tradition, after a delicious lunch at the General Store Diner, these two indulged in a milkshake to take in Old Faithful.  It's our third year to watch Old Faithful erupt and we still get excited to see it happen.

Waiting on the eruption

We got held up for an hour leaving the park due to Bison crossing the road and I snapped this cutie while we waited.

Our next hour delay leaving the park was compliments of elk.  I have to say, this one was pretty exciting because we were front and center in our car for the excitement.  When we first saw them
I thought for sure I had finally come up on a moose.  I am
still anxious to see one.  No such luck!  

Sunday on Wade Lake

After breakfast and Sunday Bible readings, we enjoyed a relaxing time kayaking on Wade lake.