I was legitimately sad to leave
Yellowstone National Park, the boundaries of which feeling like a safe-haven away from a life that had generally become routine. As with any outings with small children, we had our share of camping trials and tribulations, and plenty of moments where one or both of us was yelling at the kids, but the camping seed had been planted and we all couldn't wait to do it again. Though Jacob works during the week, and I work every weekend morning; and though there were plenty of times when we couldn't go actual camping, we were able to find plenty of moments to just head into the scenery. A week or so after our Yellowstone adventure was one such day-trip: we decided to forgo the red, white, and blue of Independence Day for the deep, Oz-like green of
Emerald Lake.
What appears to be landscape is actually TONS of lily pads on water. The Wizard would totally approve.
How creeks roll, Montana-style.
West Rosebud Creek.
Montana Mountain Model behavior.
Our original plan was to have a picnic lunch then hike to a nearby lake. But since it was a Wednesday, and thus empty, we spent too long exploring our campsite-turned-picnic-party that it got too late and we ended up having to save the hike for another day (which we did).
Called Emerald Lake, I can't imagine why.
We were able to make a few more trips to Emerald Lake and surrounding areas throughout the rest of the summer, and I'm interested to see how much it has changed now that it's fall. And, of course, I can't wait to go back in the Spring.
