Day 2 #2-Hot Springs, Old Faithful, Black Sand Basin.

After our morning hikes and a short break for lunch, we decided to head out in search of geysers and hot springs.

Wolf!

I loved the contrast of the burnt blackened trees from the fires of 1988 against all the fresh green pines.

The first couple hot springs we came across, I was in awe, making Blake pull over for pictures.

Then, I shortly realized that they are absolutely everywhere!

Old Faithful was cool.

I told Blake I was a little disappointed in its stamina, to which we maintained a running joke for the rest of the day.

The Conclusion: Old Faithful is a sprinter, and if one prefers a sprinter then that's okay, the effort is great and all, but sometimes...Endurance is key. 

Black Sand Basin and the many other hot spring basins we came across on our way out of the park were filled with smelly sulfer holes, which looked pretty cool.

Each one had a different tint to it, and the signs taught us that this was due to the bacteria and other organisms a plenty.

Kind of a stinky place to live, but alright.

Oh, and we also learned by end of Day 1...Yellowstone is completely covered in animal poop.

So, watch your step.

-Jess.

Day 2-The Falls, Uncle Tom's, Artist Point.

We really wanted to hike.

The majority of the trails were closed due to snow, but Blake and I made an educated decision based on the footprints in front of us that if other people had survived, surely we would too.

Bison and Elk on our way to the falls and Uncle Tom's Trail.

Yellowstone = Beauty.

The overlook to Yellowstone Upper Falls was the only option open to the public.

To me, waterfalls are utterly beautiful and terrifying.

The hike from the overlook to the Lower Falls was closed, but we decided to venture off anyways.

The footprints showed it was okay. 

It was overwhelming being on the trail, surrounded by nothing but trees and snow, not a person in sight, not a sound but the trees cracking in the wind.

The view was well worth it.

On our way back from Upper Falls, we came across the trailhead of Uncle Tom's Trail, which had been closed off due to steep terain mixed with snow.

Following the footprints, we were led to a cliff, where we could look down on the valley below us.

It was incredible.

We hiked back and then drove up to Artist Point because my feet were wet from the snow.
What a view.

A passerby told us this time of year was the best time for viewing the landscape because of the contrast from the snow.

It was Good Times.

-Jess.

Sunday-Day 1.

Blake and I decided to head to Yellowstone for a few days to get away from the rush of our lives and relax.

I had never been before, and Blake hadn't gone since he was a kid, so we were both really excited. 

We left Sunday afternoon, making the drive to West Yellowstone, where we would be staying for a few days.

For the most part, the drive was beautiful.

As we entered town we saw a little baby Bison.

So cute!

~~

We arrived at our hotel around 8PM Sunday evening and decided to get cleaned up and grab a bite.

Our hotel was so country.

 ~~

Shortly before leaving for the restaurant, we saw the news that Osama bin Laden had been killed and taken into custody by the U.S.  

Blake and I were in disbelief for a while.

We sat on our hotel bed, entranced by the news playing out before us, and commenting on how we never really thought this day would actually come.

It took ten years, but we are so proud of our country, troops, and leaders.

~~

After everything settled, we decided to celebrate with dinner and drinks, making a toast with each other to the U.S.A.

We also made a toast to our President, for we were truly grateful to have him as a leader on that day.

~~

On a side-note; not to get too political, yet because I feel this is important, I want to give my opinion on all this chatter about President Obama taking too much credit for this mission.

I feel credit is not only deserved and greatly given to our Military and C.I.A., but also to the man behind the investigation; the overseer, the hard decision maker, our Commander in Chief, our War-time President.

This specific investigation was initiated under President Obama's Administration, and overseen by him.
He made this a priority, as leader of the United States, to bring this harsh and evil man to justice for the crimes he has committed.

The decision to execute was directly made by him, and I find it extremely ironic that upon success he was not given credit; credit which he surely would have been given without hesitation if this mission had resulted in failure.

My heart is filled with gratitude for all the individuals involved in this dangerous mission, no matter how slight that role may be when given weight to the overall picture.

And because I credit all involved, I also leave room to credit our President.

~~

Now, to get back to how Blake and I felt on Sunday night, May 1st, a day that will surely be forever locked in history.

I am proud.

For this shows that as Americans, we will never give up. We stand resilient and determined.

This is what makes our country strong and ensures me that our future will be okay.

Because we, as Americans, can make it through anything.

~~

Onward to Yellowstone.

-Jess.