Wilson Family Road Trip

Good Morning Folks! I felt it high time that the World Wide Web hear about it our lovely family vacation a week and a half ago. We had such a great time, particularly since Graham WAS able to join us part way through (I'm sure my pleading blog post to his coworkers had everything to do with it). This meant the WHOLE family was together for 5 straight days, spouses included. It's worth noting that we have now officially expanded beyond the capacity of any of our motor vehicles when we are all together. But, rather than split up and take to cars, we cozied up and crammed into the Suburban and had someone ride in the back, because by golly, we were in the country! 

We began with plenty of car space as only half of us (my parents, brother Ben and Isla and I) made the road trip there. We pulled over in Yakima on day 1 so that Ben and Mom and I could make a 2+ hour float on my parents' new fancy tubes down the river. My Dad graciously offered to take Isla. I think he was hoping to be able to fish from shore while watching her but that didn't work out to well because of somebody. But I won't mention names.

We stayed in Pendleton, OR that night and then Boise the next. We stopped for a picnic lunch on day 2. 

Such a trooper! And look at her DQ ice cream swirl hair!

We found this swimming beach immediately after arriving in Boise because it was HOT. Isla loved floating in her inflatable starfish and I savored my opportunity to relax while she was under the watchful eye of her grandparents.

We ate dinner that evening at a delicious Brazilian restaurant that basically served all-you-can-eat meat. We picked up Lani and Michael from the airport in Boise the following morning and continued our journey to Josh's place in Soda Springs, ID.

Stretching legs at a rest stop

Soda Springs, ID is quite rural. For instance, they have about 3 restaurants. Subway, A&W/Taco Time combo, Mexican and "Restaurant." Ok so they have 4. But still. Josh lives in the more ritzy area, 3 miles down a long, long road. Look at the view from his backyard! Gorgeous! And he has it all to himself...

We visited the town's famous geyser which goes off every hour on the hour. Apparently it was messing with Old Faithful's performance in Yellowstone when it first started spewing but they got the kinks worked out now. Honestly though, I found this geyser to be much more impressive than Old F which gave us quite the flop show at Yellowstone.

Isla got to spend time with her Uncle Josh and he was a great back rubber when she started feeling sick.

BBQ....in a wheelbarrow?

We got to spend a full day in Soda Springs where Josh took all of us non-prego, non-baby types to tour his plant, Monsanto. He is a mechanical engineering co-op (intern) at their phosphorus production plant. It was quite wild. We got to wear hard hats, safety glasses, steel-toed boots, earplugs and even got to carry our own personal emergency respirators. My favorite part was when we were walking into the furnace and Josh said "The phosphorus gas in here makes sure cough but you should still be able to breathe alright." Just hearing him say that made me start hyperventilating. The tour was fascinating as the plant basically takes dirt, turns it into red hot lava rocks and then breaks it down into elemental phosphorus. One of the byproducts is this stuff called "slag" which is liquid "lava" that they transport in giant basins. It's bright orange (red hot) and was pretty entertaining to watch. The tour confirmed a couple of things for me:

1) my brother is a genius

2) I am claustrophobic

I'm glad I went though because I learned a lot. But I don't think I could work in a plant like that.

The next day, we were off to Jackson, WY to pick up Graham who flew in to meet us. We stopped for some pics by the Grand Tetons where I promise no immature jokes about womens' hoo-haa's were made.

Next stop, YELLOWSTONE! I was a Yellowstone virgin before this trip so I was quite amazed at what the park had to offer. My only request goes out to Mr. Grizzly. Next time, could you bring yourself and mama and baby bear just a little closer to our car? Like right next to us would be great.

Look how beautiful this place is!

Oh and the people visiting were pretty good looking too.

After spending the weekend in Yellowstone, we journeyed back to Soda Springs. But first, a picnic in the park! The best part about it is that Josh hates horses, yet he was the first one hopping the fence

Josh has a couple of horses for neighbors who are quite friendly. The best part about it is that Josh hates horses, yet he was the first one hopping the fence to feed them carrots.

Our last night there also happened to be Josh's 1/2 bday so we enjoyed some homemade stir fry in his backyard. His place is up at 6000+ ft elevation so as soon as the sun goes down, the temperature drops ~30 degrees. Crazy!

Thanks oh so very much to my parents for a great trip! We have many memories we will cherish, thanks to your generosity!