Tales of a Yellowstone Nothing

Last weekend we took a road trip to Jackson, Wyoming. Since I've never been to Yellowstone National Park and have always wanted to, and live closer in proximity to it than I likely ever will, we thought it was good timing.

The drive to Jackson was made bearable to Hippo by the fact that we discovered he loves the song, "99 bottles of beer on the wall." Unfortunately, this song made it unbearable to L and I.

We got up early the next morning, put on our warm snow gear and stopped off at the local K-mart to get Hippo some snow boots. Unfortunately, the cheapest toddler snow boots were ugly, and $30. If I'm going to spend $30 it better be on something good looking that I won't mind him growing out of them in five months. We passed on the boots figuring we can carry Hippo or push him in a bundled up stroller.

Off we were, in near blizzard conditions. We reasoned we would be okay because 1) we drive a 4-wheel drive vehicle with anti-skid technology 2) we're from Utah and drive in near blizzard conditions on a regular enough basis 3) we didn't have anything better to do since we were in Jackson, Wyoming in the winterish time 4) we figured the geysers in Yellowstone would be particularly amazing in such weather 5) we had a GPS to guide us 6) there was enough traffic to suggest we weren't complete morons (or at least the only morons).

Eventually we arrived at a Ranger Station about 15 miles from the south entrance to the park. The ranger was stopping cars and having a lengthy conversation with each one. "How friendly," I thought. Until he stopped us and informed us that the south entrance to the park was CLOSED! due to snow. We then had a length conversation with the ranger about when the south entrance would open. He didn't know. What were we supposed to do? Hang out on the side of the road in a blizzard and wait around?

So, here's what we did instead:

Went bear watching, from the hotel hallways

Walked around town where we bought these totally awesome moccasins for Hippo (pictured below).

Unfortunately we couldn't afford the $120 Stetson I wanted or the $625 cowboy boots L wanted or the $10,000 geode neither of us wanted and were shocked to think that someone would spend that kind of money on something so ugly.

Threw temper tantrums or jumped on the bed, however you see this picture.

Played with fruit snacks. Hippo was running through Albertson's when he stopped on a dime when he saw these fruit snacks with a tractor on the box. He just HAD to have them, and we could afford the $2.35.

And took a picture next to a sign.