A Wild Weekend!

This weekend was a whirlwind of activity...

Sarah has been studying Bears over the past month. The small Science Club we belong to decided to take a field trip to "Yellow Stone Bear World" (near Rexburg, Idaho) and the Wolf and Bear Discovery Center (in West Yellowstone, MT). It was a great day of learning about bears and their habitat. What a great way to have fun together and enjoy some "hands on" learning in the process!

Yellowstone Bear World is a zoo of sorts. It's main goal is to share wildlife that are common to Northern Idaho and Montana. They have a small drive-thru "safari" of sorts. As well as a large petting zoo filled with some usual and not so usual animals.

Sarah and the Noisy Pig!

Thomas feeding the deer...

Our families had a lot of fun watching the bears up close
(from the safety of Kronz Family RV).

Thomas at the helm... on the lookout for bears!

DON'T FEED THE BEAR!

The next day we were thrilled to have the opportunity to spend some time at Yellowstone National Park.

Later in the Day at the South Entrance of the Park

The air was a brisk 22 degrees. It was beautiful...the steam rising from the lakes and streams as well as the thermal activity was amazing... We saw a Bison that walked right by our car on the road. I dared not get out to find the camera! Elk were plentiful as well. The bears were elusive.




The highlight of the day was Old Faithful! We had fun checking out the Historic Old Faithful Inn and shared a meal with our friends from back home.

A fun time shared with the best of friends...

Sarah enjoying her first glimpse of Old Faithful

The Historic Old Faithful Inn

Sarah making friends with the Elk

Later, as the temperatures came up, we enjoyed a few excursions by West Lake on our way out of the South End of the Park toward the Grand Teton National Park.

The Continental Divide!

A walk along West Thumb

Thermal Activity near West Thumb

I love watching my family walk through the forest...

The Grand Teton's...

Another State!
Sarah and Thomas at the border of Wyoming and Idaho

It was a very full day... but worth every mile!

Shoshone Falls

After an evening spent in Sun Valley we headed South to Twin Falls. It is set high up on the ridge of a valley that is cut deep by the Snake River.

A View of the Snake River from Twin Falls.
An amazing golf course is set there in the valley over looking the river...

We enjoyed a fun evening visiting the Shoshone Falls. It is beautiful, and the construction of the dam was very careful to preserve the beauty of this once magnificent waterfall on the Snake River.

Shoshone Falls

After a long week, the children and I packed up the next day and headed back home sweet home...

Can I tell you how nervous this makes me???

We had a great week exploring the State of Idaho and learning about the rich history and heritage of the Wild West!

Craters of the Moon

Craters of the Moon National Monument was another stop made on our way from Idaho Falls to Sun Valley.

Standing in front of the Spatter Cones

Endless Sea of Black Rock

We spent the afternoon hiking and exploring caves...and were amazed by the lava flows and black rock that covered the surface of the landscape. It was truly amazing and beautiful.

The Devil's Orchard

Thomas and Sarah exploring a section of the North Crater Flow

Life in the midst of Lava

Thomas, our mountain climber

Cave Explorers, Indian Tunnel

A joy filled day... exploring God's creation...

Nuclear Energy

Today we spent driving from Idaho City on Highway 20 toward Sun Valley, Idaho.

Part of our day included a stop at the first nuclear power plant in the world, EBR-1.


Sarah found herself very familiar with the surroundings as we had watched a comprehensive video several months ago... It was fun to see her put theory to reality!

My husband and Sarah practicing using the mechanical arms
used to handle radioactive materials... Great job!

The original reactor site is now made into a museum to learn and discover the origins of nuclear energy. It was very interesting, educational and quiet worth the stop.

Sarah and Thomas the origianal Guard Shack of EBR-1

Mesa Falls Scenic Byway

Yesterday, while my husband was busy working, the kids and I headed up highway 20 from Idaho Falls to Ashton, Idaho. We had learned that Ashton is famous for the seed potatoes that have made Idaho Famous!

We also enjoyed the amazing scenery... Ashton stands in a rolling valley with great views of the Grand Tetons in the distance.

The Grand Tetons in the distance

From Ashton, we were able to take Highway 47, which makes a loop through the Targhee National Forest. This route is known as the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway.


Along this beautiful drive you can stop and view two amazing waterfalls, Lower Mesa and Upper Mesa. These waterfalls are significant in that they are the only waterfalls left of the Columbia River system that have not been impeded by hydroelectric dams. They are left, as God created them... in all their beauty...

Sarah and Thomas at Upper Mesa Falls

Learning about the Geological explanation of the area

Upper Mesa Falls

The falls are a part of the Henry's Fork of the Snake River, named for Andrew Henry of Pennsylvania, a trapper who was in the area in the early 1800's.

A Rainbow!

We really wanted to take off on one of the many trails through the area... but there was a strong bear warning given by the park ranger as I asked about the best way to go... and I decided to not take any chances! So, we stayed close and only enjoyed a few walking excursions around the camp areas.

Thomas is watching out for Bears!

My Wildflower girl...

Idaho Falls

We have made our way south to Idaho Falls...

The Falls on the Snake River, Downtown, Idaho Falls

Today we visited the Tautphaus Park Zoo.



We also enjoyed visiting the Museum of Idaho's Artifact Exhibition of the Titanic! Amazing artifacts from the ship as well as the tragic and enduring story of a ship lost at sea... the kids were fascinated and we all learned a lot... what a great exhibit!

The Bitterroot Wilderness and Paths of History

Today we spent the day driving on Highway 12 across the North Central part of the State of Idaho. We drove along the winding Clearwater and Lochsa Rivers through Lolo Pass into Montana.

Daddy and Thomas enjoying a break at Lolo Summit

On our journey, we followed the historic path of Lewis and Clark as they made their way through the Bitterroot Wilderness and mountain passes. We read of their trials and triumphs as well as their dependency on the local Indians that lead them through a very treacherous part of their journey.

Sarah and Thomas at the Montana Border, Lolo Summit

This same path was also the ancient path of the Nez Perce. Every year, they made their way from their native country along the Snake river in West Central Idaho, Eastern Washington and Eastern Oregon to their summer buffalo hunting grounds of the Bitterroot Valley of Montana.

Eagle Mountain Pack Bridge

Explorers at Heart

We also enjoyed the amazing scenery and granite rock of the exposed Idaho Batholith that told the story of long ago creation...

The Lochsa River