June 2018 part 23: last bit of Grand Teton

This post contains no people shots. As our Grand Teton time wound down, the sun put on a show peeking out from behind some particularly dramatic clouds. I couldn't decide which shots to cut, so here are all my favorites, some by Summer and some by me.

This last shot is from when we just had to pull off to take in the scenery one last time as we were leaving the park for ... drumroll ... Oregon!

June 2018 part 22: more Grand Teton

We had one full day at Grand Teton and we wanted to make it count. So we started out with a good breakfast in the scenic Mural Room.

Our next planned activity was paddling in Jackson Lake.

They wouldn't let us all pile into one canoe, so each of us took a kid.

And though we tried, with the heavy winds we didn't get far.

So we decided instead to hike around Jenny Lake.

The surroundings helped Maddie find inner peace.

But the maps weren't great, so we weren't confident we could find the boat launch to take us back.

Instead, we walked back the way we'd come ...

... which really was not so bad.

Then we spent some time relaxing in Jackson Lake Lodge while waiting for our dinner reservations. Oliver and I took in the scenery ...

... while Summer helped Maddie show her appreciation for a piano player who was rendering classic Disney songs for Maddie's enjoyment.

After dinner we posed against the breathtaking backdrop of the Tetons.

What a day.

June 2018 part 21: Grand Teton, Wyoming

Late that afternoon, we made it to Grand Teton National Park.

What a beautiful place.

Even if there was a risk of being attacked by a bear.

After a late dinner and a good night's sleep, we woke up and poked around a little bit before breakfast.

We spotted not only wildflowers ...

... but also, with our binoculars ...

... moose for sure and, we think, some bears.

Cool.

The park continued to be beautiful.

June 2018 part 20: Thermopolis, Wyoming

As we continued west from the Badlands, the landscape changed. In the distance there were mountains.

In the foreground there were bluffs.

We made our way to Thermopolis, Wyoming, home of the Wyoming Dinosaur Center. The collection there significantly exceeded our expectations.

While Thermopolis was only a stop in the middle of a long day of driving, we packed a lot in.

Not only did we see mounted dinosaur fossils, but we also were just in time to catch a shuttle ...

... to an active dig site!

To be honest, it was a bit much for the kids. But I was in heaven.

The kids appreciated the museum more.

Oliver especially enjoyed the dinosaurs (while Maddie especially enjoyed the ice cream).

And again, I was beyond thrilled to nerd out among the many cool creatures in the museum. Here I am with *the* Medusaceratops lokii, a relatively recent find.

And here I am with some old standards.

After we'd seen what there was to see, we hit the road again.

June 2018 part 19: the last bit of Badlands, I promise

We still had a little bit more Badlands to squeeze in before it was time to go, and we probably saved the best for last.

At Door Trailhead, one can wander around an impressive stretch of the Badlands' unique landscape.

So that's what we did.

Then we had dinner in the park, returned to our lodgings ...

... and, in the morning, after taking in the sunrise to the east, we continued our journey west.

June 2018 part 18: Wall Drug and Roberts Prairie Dog Town

When it came time for lunch, we had to check out Wall Drug in Wall, South Dakota.

I had their signature roast beef sandwich,

The kids mugged for the camera.

Then came what Wall Drug is really famous for: weird, roadside-attraction-y stuff.

On our way back into the park, we also stopped by Roberts Prairie Dog Town ...

... where we got up close and personal with some adorable prairie dogs (in exchange for peanuts).