The Magee's trip to Yellowstone

My parents had not visited Yellowstone since their honeymoon, which was 30 years ago, so we spent a day driving the central loop. We passed Old Faithful, picnicked stream side of the Firehole, hiked down to Upper Falls in Canyon Village, and headed south through the Teton National Forest at sunset. It is days like this I am speechless by the diverse beauty of the west.

Hot (scalding hot) Sulfur Pool

Dream Truck

Hungry Elk

On the way down to Upper Falls (305 steps down and back up, thank you Suz for counting) we walked alongside a Brigham Young University grad. Here he is pointing out the sign which reads the hike down is "extremry dificul".

Upper Falls

Fall Foliage

Teton sunset

Other highlights of our Yellowstone trip included buffalo, pronghorn, and coyote sightings. But, the most memorable was a black wolf sighting. We pulled off the road where a large crowd was gathered and watched the wolf through a spotting scope. In fact, we witnessed him relieve himself in the field which made this sighting extra rare. 

Teton Weekend

Enjoying a beautiful fall weekend in Jackson, Wyoming with Samp and Suz

Fall Palette

 Creamsicle Clouds

Backlit Tetons

first year

I spent the weekend celebrating a best friend's wedding in Nashville; it was the perfect girls weekend.  I am overjoyed to hear of all the blessings they are experiencing. It seems there are many weddings to come, and I love witnessing those I love the most with someone who appreciates them as much as I do.

Speaking of weddings, I have spent the last week recalling ours as we approached our first year anniversary this Sunday. Our wedding weekend was most memorable and I loved the way our day unfolded... waking up with to my sister and best friend's excitement, spending the day lounging in our little mountain cottage, watching as a light mountain storm passed though, feeling His presence as the rain cleared and a mist settled in the gardens, and hearing the bagpipes play as the guests arrived.

 I am humbled by the love that surrounded us that day and I am  overwhelmingly grateful.

 

Since this day, we have been through many changes in location, career, etc., but despite the transitions, I find a sweet peace when looking back on our wedding photos and remember the love of our families, the excitement of our friends, and our faith and love for each other. 

Dog Days

The dogs days of summer are coming to an end and we've been doing a lot of this this past week...

So thankful to wake up to 40 degree weather this morning and looking forward to a trip south and a visit from my parents in a few weeks

Glacier

Our Montana vacation ended with a weekend in Glacier National Park.

We hiked under hundred or more year old Cedars on trails that were situated next to the clearest blue/turquoise streams. The smell of the pines reminded me of Christmas and I loved the solitude as we ventured further from the road.

Glacier Lake

Going to the Sun Road

Mountain goat (interesting animal, annoying band)

We headed back that Sunday and not a day has passed that I don't think of how grateful we are to have spent week in Montana with our family.

Ranch Rodeo

After dinner one night we headed to a rodeo in the nearby small town of Twin Bridges. It was a ranch rodeo, which included events like "wild cow milking". Almost as impressive as the events themselves were the diverse mustache styles of the spectators.

Wild Cow Milking, Part One:

As the cowboys approached the herd of cows that were gathered at the opposite side of the arena, a number for an assigned cow was announced over the speaker. Then, the cowboys moved on to singling out the designated cow, chasing her and secluding her so she can be roped

Part Two:

One of the cowboys on the team ropes the cow

Part Three:

Other cowboys dismount and struggle to hold the cow steady while...

Part Four:

Cow is milked!

Part Five:

Cowboy runs milk to judge and time is called

The cows primary defense was slinging her saliva:

It was an interesting event but secretly we all cheered for the cows