Mesa Falls 9-26-15

So we took Allie Rai to Mesa falls this past weekend for a quick day trip.  The falls are roughly 45 miles or so from Idaho Falls.  Perfect driving distance straight up highway 20.  Great views of the Grand Tetons while driving up this high way when you get around Ashton ID.

 

Had a great quick visit.  Allie Rai seemed really impressed with the falls.    Here are a few pictures..

 

 

Lots of snow falls up here.. See below the snow pole

 

So we start our hike to the lower falls.  At this point in the hike everything is going great.  They have signs along the way telling you about the wildlife you may see.. 

 

Then we run into this recently posted sign.  Allie Rai and I thought it was cool.. Mandy not so much.  This was a game changer.  All I heard was "Nope, Sorry,, uh uhh.. noooooo sir... Back to the car now"!!!   Ha.. So I put my foot down like a man should and said "Well I'm getting a picture of it first"!!  Then I quickly retreated as instructed.. But I did get my picture.. :)

 

Fun trip.. 

 

1st Yellowstone National Park Trip

Well we finally made it to Yellow Stone.  That place is awesome.  I seriously recommend you putting it on your list of places to visit.  If you enjoy seeing wildlife, awesome landscape & active systemic stuff going on all over the place then you'll love it. 
This was Mandy and Allie Rai's first time crossing into Montana also.  We entered the park through West Yellowstone WY.  Another great little town to visit.  Very western style small town.  We plan on going back very soon.  There is so much to see and we only saw about 1/8th of the park. 

 Here are some photo's from the trip..

Mandy and Allie Rai's first time in Montana

 

 

Elk Walking along side the river.  There was a female and baby with him.. But I wasn't fast enough with the camera.

Buffalo just grazing by the road. 

Hot Spring behind Allie Rai.  It is right next to a river.  Boiling water coming out of the ground and spilling into the cool river.  

Huge herd of Buffalo in the background.

Mandy would not get out of the car due to the buffalo.  They say a safe distance is 100 ft.  These buffalo were probably 200 yards.. Mandy was not impressed by the distance.  She played it safe.  

 

Several geysers in the back ground.  

 Another boiling hot spring

 

Another Elk bedding next to a stream.

 

Boiling spring

 

Volcano looking geyser..

We finally made it to Old Faithful about mid-day.

 Mandy and Allie Rai waiting for Old Faithful to do her thing.. 

 

This was my favorite picture of the trip.  Soon as the geyser blows, Allie Rai jumps off the deck where everyone is sitting, runs in front of me (and about 300 other folks) and strikes her pose for a picture.. 

Allie Rai says "Don't just take a picture of Old Faithful, Take a picture WITH  Old Faithful"

 

Side note:  Never underestimate the stupidity of the public.  A guy behind us said to his group after the geyser went off "You think they turn it off at night?"  Yep.. He really said that..

 

Fun Trip!!