Horseback Riding Through Yellowstone National Park

One of the things that Lily Grace had been looking most forward to is going horseback riding.  She was even more excited that our guide was a real cowboy (according to her because he had a also) and she got a spotted horse.  
We did a half day trip.  Let me break that down, that's FOUR HOURS on a horse.  Oh have mercy!  I thought Matt and I were going to die.  We took a trail through Yellowstone up through the mountains and had a picnic lunch before riding back down. Lily Grace and I loved when we had to cross streams on horseback.  Matt loved when he could see the car on the way back.  It was pretty funny. 
On a funny note, on our way back down the mountain, we encountered some Llamas.  We found out quickly that horses don't like Llamas and are easily spooked by them.  The horses got a little riled and while we were able to control them and nobody got hurt, it definitely got the adrenaline going.  
I have to say, it was a really beautiful experience and I would do it again.  (just not for four hours)

So I happen to have this shirt and thought it would be perfect for horseback riding.  Seemed kinda down home to me.  Well, when I happen to mention it to LG, she begged to have one too and for us to please go matchy match.  Again, matching isn't really my thing but I know one day, she may look back on this and roll her eyes so I obliged.  I happened to look online and low and behold.... so this is how we left the cabin for horseback riding.

Lily Grace rode Comanche

Lunch on the mountain

All the wildflowers that carpet the hills are colorful sight

Even the horses got a little lunch.  Lily Grace couldn't wait to feed them some carrots.

Trying to get three horses together for a picture was not so easy.
Mom's horse- Skip
Daddy's horse- Dakota
Gracie's horse- Comanche

One last goodbye to Comanche

Lily Grace with our real cowboy guide, Mr. Aaron.  

My day ended on a really high note.  I landed my first rainbow. He put up quite the fight.   It was beautiful.  

It was so rewarding to know that I had caught the biggest trout.  (Matt, it's my blog and I can say what I want to say.  Besides, I'm all about telling the truth on here. ) 

Gracie was my net girl and photographer until daddy showed up and then he took a pic of our teamwork.  Too bad he isn't as good a photographer as Gracie.  He managed to cut out the fruit or our labor- THE FISH.  We have gotten a good laugh and given him a hard time about this.

Another Fun Day in Montana

Matt got up early with the sun and went fishing.  Thank goodness he thought to take the camera.  (Honestly, he knew he would need to in order to prove himself.-ha!)  He landed his first brown trout and brought home the pic to prove it.  He ended up bringing in a nice rainbow later in the day.  

But the big event of the day goes to Gracie Cakes. She caught and landed her first trout at Three Dollar Bridge, a rainbow.  She was thrilled!  (and her mom and dad were relieved that she had gotten one under her belt)  It may not have been a big one but it was a first.  

Matt's first brown of the trip

Way to go Gracie! One proud girl.  She was so cute.  On our way off the river, someone stopped us to talk about how special it was to see her out on the water and asked if they could take her pic. 

Every evening we would visit our favorite spot on the river.  When Gracie tired of fishing, she would hop on top of this large rock and read.  I came around the bend one evening to find this bit of sweetness.  

We visited Beaverhead National Forrest to see Cliff and Wade Lakes.  The colors are amazing.  You see these two lakes are known for their glassy appearance and bright turquoise color.  I can tell you that they certainly do not disappoint. 

Cliff Lake

Wade Lake

We saw a lot of this.  Check out the huge dandelion.  They were all around Cliff and Wade Lake.  

Meet some of out housemates.  These are called Ground Squirrels.  They are all over MT.  They love to dig holes and climb amongst all the rocks and boulders.  They also loved to play out around the cabin.  Lily Grace found them cute and funny and often tried to talk to them.  You couldn't go outside without seeing one. 

The swallows kept the cabin birdhouse hopping.  

Our lunch view off the back deck. Ahhhh!

Guided trip Down the Madison River

We took a guided wade/float trip down the Madison River.  Our trip covered 7 miles of the river and took us 8 hours.  We was awesome.  
Lily Grace loved our guide, Nicole.  She was so good with Lily Grace and really helped her with her cast, mending and set.  Lily Grace's cast improved greatly as did her love for drift boats and fly-fishing.

I'd say she is ready.

A selfie before taking off down the river

We couldn't be more grateful to Miss Nicole for all the time she took up with Lily Grace.  Lily Grace just adored her and they were quite the funny pair together.  

Her cast is getting better and better as well as her confidence in wading. 

Halfway down the river and before we started fishing from the boat, we stopped for a picnic lunch on the banks of the Madison.

A view from the boat- beautiful!

Matt landed another white-fish.

Oh yes! I braved the front with this one.

One of our favorite parts of our vacation.  We had an amazing time.

She couldn't leave without a picture with Miss Nicole.

Happy Birthday from Montana

Matt has always dreamed of going to Montana.  This vacation, he got celebrate his birthday there. He spent the day fly-fishing and visiting one of the local fly-shops.  We also joined him for a little sight seeing. Happy Birthday Daddy!  We hope Montana made your birthday a little more special.  We love you!

What a way to start your birthday!

Matt's first catch on the Madison- fondly known as "the vine fish"

Lily Grace did not disappoint, in her own true fashion, she showed up on the river for some a.m. fishing wearing a tiara.

By the afternoon, she was wearing a large flower on the side of her head.

Matt's first real catch- a white-fish

Just down the road from our cabin is where the famous Three Dollar Bridge is located.  We went over mid-day to check it out.  Of course, it's beautiful!

While over at the bridge, we got caught in a massive hail storm.

We also took in the views from Earthquake Lake.

It's common to have a quick 10 minute shower in the afternoon and then you are left with a lot of these.  This was out our front door one afternoon. The hail storm left us with a bright double rainbow out front....

...and a beautiful sunset out back.

*To view our first day in MT, click older posts bottom right of this page.*