Trail Ride and Yellowstone

After an impossibly comfortable and wonderful night sleep in our cabin at the Bill Cody Ranch, we were up at the crack of dawn for breakfast and a 2 hour morning trail ride. The Tolleys all headed over the stables to meet our guides Emily and Jeremy and our horses.

Emma was assigned to Thunder, a beautiful, gentle black horse. Katherine rode on Lakeside, a gorgeous chestnut horse that matched her pink boots beautifully. Kayleigh's horse was Iron, a majestic white stallion. Michael had the guide's favorite horse, Gunsmoke, a beautiful white and gray speckled mustang. I had a beautiful painted mare named Red Feather. Emily led the trail ride, followed by Emma, Katherine, Kayleigh, then Me and Michael.




The horses were very accustomed to the varied terrain on the trail we rode (creek crossings, up steep climbs, across a ledge/cliff) and back down again. The entire experience was just stunning. The horses were gentle, knowing, and very forgiving and the scenery was simply breathtaking. This was definitely a highlight of our entire trip thus far--especially for Katherine and our other aspiring cowgirls!




After our trail ride, the girls reluctantly said goodbye to their equine friends and we hopped in our trusty rented RAV4 and headed for Yellowstone National Park, a mere 12 miles from the Ranch.

All I can really say is "WOW!" We visited the Fishing Bridge area, the Canyon and Upper/Lower Falls, the Tower, and Mammouth Hot Springs. Along the trails we saw bison, pelicans, a black bear, elk, a female moose and some of the most beautiful natural land formations in the world.




I'll post a more extensive photo album on Facebook when we get to Salt Lake. I'm in awe at how beautiful our country is! More on Day Two in Yellowstone in the next update. Tonight is a beautiful night in Gardiner, Montana. Our hotel room overlooks the Yellowstone river. I'm about to go to sleep with the roar of the whitewater river below. Heavenly!