Too bad the building was closed. I was curious if it looked as old inside as it did outside.
So far all the kids have been really great and not fighting (much). I wanted to preempt any crankies so since we weren't able to be spiritually uplifted we opted for quiet time back at the cabin. It was lovely. Afterwards, we decided it was time to be one with nature. We aren't ones to sit and do nothing on the Sabbath while on vacation and we still had one more day left on our Yellowstone pass. Also, we still had some cool stuff to see. Mark, Darron and I headed up with six out of the seven kids to Mammoth Hot Springs.
Mammoth was beautiful! I wasn't sure it would be worth the drive. It took just over an hour to get there. I worried it would be a lot of what we've already seen inside the caldera. I was happy to be wrong!
So many cool formations everywhere. This one is Liberty Cap.
It's kind of fun to learn about why these places look the way they do. Mammoth Hot Springs is a big area of hot springs on a hill of travertine. What is travertine you ask? Well, it is a form of limestone deposited from mineral springs. They are usually white, cream, tan and all variations of rust color. Super cool. We walked all around the lower terraces of the springs on the boardwalks provided for our viewing pleasure.
The sign says Devil's Thumb. Who comes up with these names? I loved all the rusty colors that look like it's bleeding down the terraces.
More Devil's Thumb terrace pictures.
I guess we needed proof that the kids were there. They had such a great time together. We are having so much fun, I don't want the vacation to end.
So I might have taken too many pictures. But this angle looks more like Albino's Thumb.
The signs around the area said these formations are made over long periods of time but they can also change in a matter of a day or two.
I was there too.
Usually I'm behind the camera so it's rare to get me in a picture, let alone two!
Isaac mimicking the limestone formation behind him. It totally looks like a guy screaming. This kid cracks me up. So full of energy.
Close up of the formation/guy screaming.
It's just amazing what Mother Nature creates.
Calista and Alex were inseparable, attached at the hip. It was great to see. Have I mentioned that I love my kids having a cousin their own age on my side of the family?
Piper just hanging out on the boardwalk.
There was only a small viewing area on the upper terrace area. Not as colorful, but just a beautiful.
Téa being a tree hugger.
Our view from the upper terrace boardwalk. Looks like snow but it's just a bunch behind us.
Water break. Pip loves her water. And taking breaks.
Darron is nailing the photobombing. I wanted a picture to show the height disparity between Téa and Isaac. They are only 5 months apart.
From this vantage point you can see the Historic Fort Yellowstone in the valley.
Mammoth was about the only thing left to see in the park. Or I should say the only thing left that we wanted to see. We headed back to the cabin just in time for dinner (perfect timing, right?) Papa made his legendary ribs. Delicious as usual.
Darron asked me to bring up my guitar for the trip. We all sat down in the living room and enjoyed a few hours of after-dinner entertainment. It was like a big sing-a-long. I'm always so jealous of Darron's musical ability. He plays guitar so well and can play practically any song. It was so much fun. And the Woolley/Randall clan have some pretty awesome voices. Papa even taught us all a round song that he learned in Barbershop.
One of the songs my kids requested Darron play was Anikan Guy by Weird Al Yankovic. As soon as he started singing it my kids busted out laughing. Darron sounds just like Weird Al. Now they can't hear the song without thinking of our Yellowstone trip and our song night. Another great day in the books. Too bad we have to leave tomorrow.
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