Friday, September 10, 2010

Charlotte

Mama feeling restless, needing to get out of town to enjoy the early beautiful days of fall. At the last minute, headed north, saving the desert for the colder weekends ahead.

A perfect fall weekend, crystal clear sky, crisp nights and the scenery wasn't all that bad either...

On one of our first overnights someone had strategically place a stuffed black bear on the bed, a mere $19.99. Alexi instantly ran to it and gave it hug, then turned around to announce, "Mama, I love him." Needless to say the bear is now part of the family...Charlotte the bear...


Alexi hammin' it up by the hot pools.


We both were excited to see a big brown buffalo on our bike ride. He wasn't as thrilled to see us. And we waited for him to meander off the trail. This was the first of many buffalo finds along the way.


Alexi finds a stuffed dog that looks like his "Charlie", thus calling for a poser shot. Had to stop him from crawling up and freeing the canine from his post.

By this time, Alexi, bored of the 'steamers' had found a friend to play in the dirt with. When the geyser finally blew it's top, Alexi was so engrossed in his sand castle, that it warranted barely an acknowledgment. After, all, there was good dirt to be had.



Hang time on the beach.


More 'steamers'..

and of course, more buffalo...

beautiful yellowstone river cuts through the gorge..



Alexi half way to the top, luckily not running out of steam...


and finally a real live charolette the black bear..


Saying goodbye. Amazing sunrise, and a few minutes in a pullover with the windows down just listening to the elk bugle...