Jackson Hole/Yellowstone National Park

June 18, 2009

We got moving this morning after having a great night sleep and headed to Yellowstone National Park. There was so much to see there, whether it was the geysers, the hot springs, or the animals everywhere. Several times, we had to stop and up ahead we saw that it was simply animals holding everyone up! One time there was a huge group of bisen walking in the middle of the road like they owned the place, and another time we looked out where everyone was and there sat a moose, just hanging out in the grass...ahhh, the sites of Yellowstone! We visited Old Faithful and were anticipating a 90 minute wait for it to "erupt." As Jake and I walked up to the crowd, suddenly there it went! It was so hilarious because all of these people had been waiting for probably at least an hour and behind us we hear, "Finally." We just happened to walk up right at the perfect time-that's basically how our whole trip has been going...right time, right place. That's totally God working! For me (Kristin), the highlight came when we were almost outside of the park and suddenly everything was rocky mountains and winding roads. No words can describe the countryside that we saw today and the amazing open skies that Wyoming and Montana hold. To me, Montana is the favorite...I just really enjoyed driving through the open skies and all of the green hills and mountains. It's absolutely breathtaking! UNBELIEVABLE. (I even had to buy a "Montana" sweatshirt!) We are now in Missoula, Montana, about to get some sleep for tomorrow's long drive to Seattle. The excitement only continues...thanks for the prayers and thoughts! We are really feeling God's provision as we travel and meet friends and new people along our journey! Each person we run into becomes a special part of our trip.

June 17, 2009

After heading out to a small coffee shop in Jackson on Wednesday morning, we headed over to a small brewery (Snake River) and met some really neat people there. (With Jake Downing and Kristin Downs working together, how can we not?!?!?!) We chatted with a really fun couple from Arkansas as well as a guy from Jackson. It's always fun to meet people in different areas and get to know their "stories" in life. This is definitely a highlight for both of us, being the social people that we both are. Next, we decided to go to Jackson Hole to check out the ski resort. It was amazing! I (Kristin) rode up the tram, while Jake took a little break. The tram went all the way up the mountain and at the top, we all got out and were able to walk around up there. It was like 42 degrees and 10 mph winds!!! It was crazy to be standing in the snow with shorts on...but of course I had to do it. The site was breathtaking from on top of the mountain, and it was hard not to feel like it was just all a dream. God has truly made an amazing country we live in. Wow! We were able to catch a quick movie at a local movie theater (The Taking of Phelm 123-GREAT MOVIE!!!) and then headed home after a long, but exciting day! Thanks, Sam and Leslie for great conversation and providing us a place to stay for our adventure in Jackson Hole!!!