Home and Stuff

This is a picture from hiking in Poudre Canyon, Colorado with our friend Matt and his dog Jake.


Today, my dad and I went canoeing down the Clarion River near our house. It was an amazing day. However, despite all my extreme adventures while in Oregon, it only took one canoe trip in Pennsylvania to break bones. I broke my ring toe trying to save my dad's sunglasses from the raging rapids. Yes, laugh as much as you'd like. I never knew a toe could swell and bruise as much as this little guy has. You won't be seeing an x-ray of that anytime soon though. I'm sure I'll live.

So my mom broke her ankle in Yellowstone...

Let me tell you all a little story. Colorado hates when our family comes to visit. Ten years ago, we traveled to Fort Collins, CO and on the way had to buy a new van due to the transmission going out in our old one. Then, once we arrived in Fort Collins, I decided to go rollerblading with my sister which ended in a disastrous knee wound that ended up getting infected. So, my mom fell in Yellowstone (Wyoming) but of course, being the awful daughter that I am, we waited until Colorado to go to a medical clinic. The x-ray proved that she had a broken fibula. Unbelievable. So, another story that might help allow you to understand this a little better. 8 years ago, I was rock climbing and fell and heard a "pop" in my ankle (just like my mom did). I was convinced it was not broken so I too walked on a broken fibula for 3 days before seeking care. I'm calling it genetics.
Disclaimer: This is not my moms real x-ray. Macs do not run x-ray discs so I could not get a screen shot for you. Her fracture is NOT this severe. I believe it is a spiral fracture which means it is not complete and was at less risk to displace. I'm still a horrible daughter.
Thank you http://zhurnaly.com/images/Mike/Fibula_ankle_xray_2.jpg for the pic.

Day 3: Rocky Mountain National Park

This is now the 3rd National Park we've dominated in 2 days. This one by far wins the prize. I knew Colorado would not let me down.
Moose


We will be spending the next 2 days in Fort Collins, CO (where I plan on living some day, seriously this time). Then we're headed to Iowa to my Uncles and then home finally. Two more 11 hour days of driving. I hope I can make it!

Day 3: Wyoming Petroglyphs and Wild Horses

17 miles back an old muddy Wyoming road is a collection of petroglyphs. My mom and I decided to be super adventurous and check them out. It was like nothing I have ever seen.


Bone - probably a tibia due to the plateaus... :)
Crazy falcons nest - I thought it was going to dive bomb me when it came flying out.

We continued on our journey to complete a 31 mile loop on some treacherous back country roads, but we made it. Then further down the road we saw a sign for a Wild Horse Loop and had to go. Same horrible roads, same breathtaking views.
Look at the baby!

These wild mustangs had free range of the hundreds of miles of Wyoming countryside. I wanted to stay up there with them.

Day 3: Grand Teton National Park

Grand Tetons - Absolutely amazing

Grand Teton Mountain

Day 2: Yellowstone National Park Continued

More pictures from Yellowstone.
Buffalo

Buffalo herd on the road.
Upper Falls and Yellowstone River in the Yellowstone Grand Canyon
Elk
Buffalo

Geyser
Rainbow to end the day

Day 2: Yellowstone National Park

We spent all day Sunday and Monday in Yellowstone National Park.
Our cabin in West Yellowstone, WY before we entered the park.
This post is for Karl. Here are the manly pictures you have been looking for!
Grizzly Bear

Black Bear
Prairie Dog

Buffalo Herd
Geyser
Coyote
Big Horn Sheep
So clearly I'm stating the obvious with this blog but I have a ton of pics to share.

Day 1: Oregon to Idaho to West Yellowstone, WY

Longest day of my life. I spent 14 hours driving through some gorgeous country with some thunderstorms to keep it interesting.

The Journey Continues

So my mom is here and alive after a grueling 15 hours of travel to Oregon and then another 6.5 hours traversing around Oregon with me. She was a trooper. We ventured to Crater Lake (the whole West Rim was open!!) and then around to the North Umpqua River falls. Tomorrow way early, we will be headed towards Yellowstone! Hopefully we don't get stranded at another dumpy motel due to snow. I'll try to post any fun pics we get. Wish us luck! :)