Bonus State: Montana

We had a slight issue mid trip that caused us to divert the trip to Bozeman, Montana, while we were there we were able to explore the Museum of the Rockies at Montana State. It really turned out to be pretty "nifty." 

Between watching the museum team work on fossils the girls spent the time playing with the dinosaurs.

The museum lays the fossils out nicely allowing you to see what the muscles would look like on the bones. This may have traumatized toddler. ^Tearful toddlers.

Athena learning to use the loom at the working history farm next to the museum. Athena loves history so this was a bonus win for the day! 

Water wagons... Seriously, they existed? I want one. 

Yellowstone: Part One

We had planned to spend five days exploring Yellowstone and Grand Tetons but quickly realized we would need more time. We added another two nights onto our trip but because of unexpected events we had to cancel those two days. Both of the girls adored Yellowstone so it was not enough time. Animals, hiking, water shooting out from the ground. I'm pretty certain they would consider this the Disney World of National Parks.

Athena developed an OCD need to time Old Faithful... Six times we timed it. SIX! No other geyser is good enough, strong enough, "bursty" enough if you will. 

Blue Star Spring at Yellowstone was Athena's favorite geothermal feature. 

We took a historic yellow bus tour, "Wake up to wildlife." I realize you can not schedule nature but I have to say, I would strongly suggest not doing this tour. 

A few reasons: They try to load 12 or 13 people to a bus and it makes the tours very difficult according to our guide. People have a difficult time seeing out the windows and people feel less comfortable with the tour in general. 

Secondly, it is early! A group of five people did not show, they had already paid... but likely overslept, I heard this happens a lot. Our guide seemingly appreciated this.

Lastly, Yellowstone has no shortage of bears, bison and pronghorn. Jus' sayin'. Everything we saw on the tour (and more) we were able to see driving down the roads...

A car... No car seats... on a tour run by the government. Look at my rebels;) 

Dinosaur National Monument

We spent three nights at Dinosaur National Monument but only one day exploring the Utah side. It was a decent drive from Moab to the park and it took us back into Colorado. I may have jokingly told A1 we would be heading back to BoCo. She was not impressed. Overall, Lex enjoyed this park more than Athena, I think. 

Athena: We went to five parks in Utah. I liked them all but loved Arches the most. I made a lot of friends in Utah and there were lots of kids to play with. I want to go to Arches with my homeschool friends. I think they would like it. We got to see dinosaur fossils and clam fossils at Dinosaur Park. It was fun to hike and see the fossils outside. 

Three days, four parks

Our plan leaving the Grand Canyon was to head to Moab and spend two days hiking at Arches but the girls proved to be far better at hiking than I had anticipated going into the trip. A friend from college mentioned going to Zion NP, I had been skeptical because it really seems like a park that is best left to exploring when you have a backcountry permit, which we did not have the time for. 

I decided to drive up to Zion and hit Bryce Canyon on the way to Moab. A little out of the way (10 hours driving that day not counting drive time in the parks) but Athena and Lex enjoyed each of the parks. We pulled into Moab around 10PM with two very energetic kids!

Zion National Park

Bryce Canyon, or on the way into the Canyon.

The following morning we slept in and hiked at Arches. Athena very much enjoyed the hiking and each of the girls enjoyed climbing on the rocks! I think we hiked over five miles and the girls were NOT tired at all.

Arches was a huge focal point on this trip because of geology but also to spend time with a worldschool family I had met on the internet.

Athena thinks it is cool getting to see the arches form. 

We decided this one looks like a dinosaur head. 

Lex got pretty high into the arch. Unfortunately, being two her legs and arms are not long enough to make the climb. I put Lex into the Ergo on my back on the ledge and continued the climb. 

At this point Athena had already made the climb with her worldschool friends from Australia. It was great to meet this family and finally put some faces to the names of a family I have known a few months! 

Getting up, easy! Getting down with a toddler on your back... In sandals, a challenge! Oh, I'm afraid of heights... Fun stuff. 

Athena and Zaharra had an amazing time. The family is on their way to Ireland to stay for a few years before heading back to Australia:)

Athena and Jack were exploring every inch they could together. The 6-7 year age is so much fun. I'm happy we had a friend with us to explore. 

The following morning we went to Canyonlands for a driving experience before heading up to Dinosaur National Monument. The three days and four park expedition was surprisingly calm and relaxing. Arches proved to be a favorite and Athena has enjoyed teaching Jay about how the arches were formed as well as erosion. Geology kid was a pretty big fan of Arches NP and Bryce Canyon.

A note from Athena: We learned about erosion causing the arches and causing the canyons at different parks. We did a science experiment with water on a rock path. The water moved some sand and small rocks. That is how erosion works. The water and wind move change things. I liked that some arches are still forming and some canyons get bigger.