Craters of the Moon and home

We stayed in a quaint little motel an hour away from Craters of the Moon National Park. We decided we couldn't count a state unless we actually spent time in it. So, here we were spending time. The park is pretty amazing and worth the stop. 

I love the character of trees and the story they tell of their life by their growth patterns. So, lots of tree photos in this desolate volcanic crater.

My husband and I climbed to the top of a mound of volcanic rock to check out the views, while my mom took her turn hanging out with Jasper. Another national park where dogs are not allowed on trails or outside of parking lots or roads. 

We explored caverns made from lava flows under the surface. No. We didn't go in the caverns as there wasn't enough time, plus we weren't going to leave Jasper in the car to go do it. 

After the park, we had to leave by passing back through the little town where we stayed. We grabbed someyhing quick to eat and allowed Jasper some time to explore a bit. 

From there, we headed into Pocatello, ID. My husband needed to get in a run. So, my mom & I wandered the city, found a dog friendly brewery for lunch, and then wandered back to pick up my husband from the park where he started his run. There was a youth/community bike race/ride going on, so we had fun watching the people as we waited for my husband. 

From there, we headed home to Colorado.

Wolves & Chapels & Tetons

Started the day with the wolf sanctuary in West Yellowstone. That was pretty neat; a good recommendation by my husband. 

I'm pretty sure this one is staring out at Jasper howling in the car in the parking lot. Unfortunately, he was not allowed to come in and explore. So, our time inside the gates was shortened. Luckily, we could come in and out with our wrist bands, and thus took turns checking on Jasper to ensure he wasn't overheating...in the cool morning. 

The grizzlies got fed, which was cool. Even watching the crows/ravens scavenge through the bears' food was kinda funny. 

We ventured through the south side of Yellowstone and on to the Tetons, once we finished with the sanctuary.

We gave Jasper the chance to make friends with a statue outside a retail store in Jackson Hole. I don't think the statue liked Jasper laughing at him.

It was a beautiful day ended with a nice meal at a brewery in Jackson Hole before heading into Idaho for the night.
 

Land of Boiling water

Back in to Yellowstone, today. It's tourist geyser day. Yesterday, we hit some tourist spots, but stayed away from geyser basin. Today, it was old faithful and beyond. 

Jasper and my favorite bear, Smokey. 

He even does well with Sasquatch/bigfoot. 

Spoiled walk due to flooding. It was still pretty to see.

Old faithful erupted during a hail storm. Jasper enjoyed catching hail/slush balls while we waited for old faithful to erupt again in good weather.

Just your friendly bison sharing the road with the cars. 

                      Elk Butt.

Beautiful end to another day. Wow did we see a lot.