Sunday, August 8, 2021
1Family x 12 (July)
Wednesday, August 4, 2021
Our Big Family Road Trip (Part 2)
Yellowstone! The ultimate destination of our trip, but far from the only place we visited while we were on this big road trip west. I should back up just a bit and share how this trip actually came to be. About 8ish years ago my cousin Cathy Ritterbusch decided it had been far too long since the big family had gotten together and she set out to plan what has become the first of the Ritterbusch family reunions. We all met up in Ohio at a beautiful state park there and spent time together as a family hiking, camping and one evening there was a big celebration with food and stories and the whole thing. It was there someone decided, we should do this every two years and each time another family get's to host...to pick the location, to plan some activities and host the big family meal. Ryan and I missed the next get together, that happened in 2016, I believe in Pennsylvania. But, in 2018 Uncle Chucks girls, whom we all call the "Ritterbusch girls" offered to host the next gathering in the Outer Banks - we joined them for a few days before heading home to be with Ellyn.
It was at that reunion in the Outer Banks that Randy, on of my cousins suggested Yellowstone in 2020 and so the planning process began. The trip in 2020 was canceled, I don't need to spend time explaining why, but, it wasn't all bad because when we decided to push back a year we were able to scoop up camping site in Yellowstone (they are HARD to come by) and our trip morphed from being a 1 week fly in/out trip into the big family caravan road trip it became.
So, for lots of reasons "Yellowstone" became the name of the trip and because the family reunion was part of this leg we spent 5 whole nights in the area - the longest time we were in any one place for the entire trip. Mom and Dad and Dan McGrath all left about 10 days before we did and added the Glacier to their trip, so it wasn't until Yellowstone that we finally had the whole group together. In total, in Yellowstone we had 3 campers, 2 tents and 2 houses (in West Yellowstone) with a total of 25 people and two dogs. Not a bad turn out!!
Of all of our driving days, this one had me the most worried. First of all, it was long, nearly 500 miles. Next, we'd be driving through the mountains to get into the park, plus that's right where things start to get really remote and you use cell service and GPS service and gas stations are few and far between. Add to that all of the caution the parks and booking agents give you about making sure your camper fits in the sites and roads that are too tight for long vehicles. THEN, on top of that, add in all the news about long lines in the parks and huge gobs of people traveling through them this year. If you add that all up, you can see why I was stressed about this part of the drive.
There are a few routes to get from SD to Yellowstone, passing through Cody and the east entrance to the park but we opted to take the northern most route that took you through Dayton and the Bighorn National Forest. I'd talked with the camp host at Stockade and he recommended this route saying it would save us over an hour over the other options. Chris and Brenna opted for the more southern route, labeled as the "scenic route" on the signs leading up to the split.
And, this hike landed us our very first big group picture thanks to Kristin and her camera holder! It's not the full Ritterbusch crew, but it's a big chuck of us. Thankfully we did get ONE picture of the whole entire group together. That's posted at the very end of this post.
If I'm honest, the advice we got was bad - Chris and B made it to Cody nearly an hour before we got there, but, I know Ryan would agree when I say that we were not sad about our drive at all. It was BEAUTIFUL and, if you're willing to take the NOT fast "fast route" we took, do it. We climbed to nearly 10,000 ft (not my favorite) and the sites we saw on that drive were truly spectacular. I'd rank this piece of the drive second to our time in the Badlands. A very different view, but one that I'll remember. It rained on our drive through the mountains and I know Ryan was thankful for this big truck and air brakes. We were safe, but I was stressed and perfectly happy to be down on the other side of the mountains when we finally made it to Cody.
Tuesday was our first real day in the park and I can't believe I've been chatting your ears off this long with pictures of Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic sprinkled in here and we haven't even gotten to that part of the story! So, here we go. Tuesday we got up bright and early and headed out to Old Faithful in hopes of catching an 8:30 ish eruption.
In my last post I talked about the importance of getting to the big sites early and Old Faithful is exactly one of the places I meant. We watched Old Faithful there at the base on the boardwalk and then ventured on a short-ish hike that Ryan had found in researching the trip called Old Faithful Overlook. If I remember right it was about a two mile hike, out and back to an overlook spot where you can see Old Faithful from a little further away with FAR fewer people. We made it to the top in time to see the eruption an hour or so later (they call it Old Faithful for a reason....it erupts at exactly the time they expect it to nearly every single time).
If you plan to visit, make sure you save time to do this hike, it was well worth it. Following the hike we spent some time down on the boardwalks walking through all of the different geothermal features. Very neat...very hot! Which, reminds me. The temperatures on our trip out there ranged from 39 in the morning when we'd wake up to mid 80's by the afternoon. You'd go to bed wishing we could turn the AC on and wake up needing to turn on the heat.
After Old Faithful we decided we had enough energy (and patience) to try and hit Grand Prismatic on the same day so we hopped in the two cars and set off. Mom/Dad/Dan and Cousin Jeff in one car, us McGraths in the second. Dad pulled off to grab a parking spot along the side of the road in a LONG line of cars so we advanced forward to find a spot for ourselves. In a case of perfect timing, we'd all lost cell service in this area so by the time we made it out of our car and to what we thought was the walk to Grand Prismatic Mom and Dad were nowhere to be seen. Turns out we'd pulled off a little too soon and instead of being at Grand Prismatic itself we were actually at the beginning of the overlook hike. Having made it that far (and parked nearly a mile away) and without cell service to connect us, Ryan and I decided to take the kids on the hike alone and figured we'd find Mom and Dad and the others at some point. The hike was HOT and maybe a little more than the kids had in them, but we made it to the overlook and it really was very very cool to see.
We never did make it to the Grand Prismatic walk itself and it's probably the ONE thing I wished we'd have been able to make time for, but there is always next time. And, honestly, we were all tired of the crowds and the heat by the time we were done site seeing on Tuesday.
We needed a serious change of pace after our site seeing on Tuesday so Wednesday we opted for the road less traveled and met up with part of the Ritterbusch crew that was staying in West Yellowstone. They proposed a hike that was really quite close to our campground called Lone Star Geyser. If you do nothing else inside Yellowstone, do this hike! It was the perfect fit for us and the girls. The hike is listed as 5 miles long, which I immediately said we couldn't do, but it was flat, paved in some areas and Ryan was so smart to suggest we borrow Chris and Brenna's wagon. We used it to carry our food and waters but then to pull the kids when they got tired and whiny. I'm so glad we did this hike - it was one of our favorite experiences in this park.
Unlike Old Faithful it erupts less frequently (every 3-4 hours) and for much much longer, probably around 45 minutes in total. When we arrived at the geyser we found out that we had at least an hour, maybe longer to wait until it was time for it to go off so we putz'ed around the area exploring. There was a slow flowing shallow river for the kids to play in, Dad taught the kids to toss "buffalo chips" (yep...you read that right, he taught them to throw buffalo turds...a memory I'm sure they won't forget!), the explored, found strategically placed arrow heads (thanks Dad) and overall it was exactly the morning we all needed. It was nice to spend some time with the Ritterbusch group all together, catching up and chatting without the rush around, run around, stand in line, park, walk, complain parts that we'd had the day before. The kids needed this day too. A day where they could explore without being yelled at "hurry up", "no, no more stuffed animals", "be nice to your sister", "we'll get there when we get there", "put your shoes on", "get buckled", "get in the car", "get out of the car"....you all know what I mean. It happens...road trips, fun for awhile, less fun at other times.
The geyser itself was cool, but I think it was all these other things that made this hike so perfect for us. I'm thankful for the research the Ritterbusch girls did to find something even the little girls could do...something for us all which is hard when we had ages ranging from 6 (Hazel) to probably 80 (Aunt Karen - she didn't make it all the way to the geyser, but she sure did try!)
After our hike we hosted the group back at our campsite where we had cheese and crackers and guacamole and relaxed. We took them down to the shore of Yellowstone Lake - another really cool part of being at Grant Village - it was a very short walk down to the lake. Our path down jutted you right out onto a cool little sandbar (which was really more of a rock bar, than sand) where the kids could play in the water. I think Lily and Nate even got fully in and swam, but the kids just waded in skipping stones and exploring around.
Thursday was really our last big day in the park because we spent Thursday night and Friday morning in West Yellowstone for the family reunion. So, Thursday on our way out of the park we stopped at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Admittedly this was not on my radar of things to do, but Dad was admit that we really needed to see it and I think we're all really glad we took the time to drive up there (and left early enough to do it with fewer people). Dad says we saw this area of Yellowstone when we did this trip as kids, but I have zero memory of being here. It really was quite magnificent.
We poked around here at the Canyon for a few hours, seeing whatever we could see before the crowds got too bad and parking became impossible and then we started to make our trip west and out of the park. The thing about Yellowstone is that if you can stay inside the park, even just for a few days, you have a much better chance of seeing and doing the things on your list. Staying outside of the park, near any of the 4 entrances means that you have a minimum 2 hour drive to get to just about anything. Our campground didn't have water or electric and we were there for a total of 5 nights, which took a lot of planning and infrastructure to keep our fridges running and batteries charged, but it meant that we could get up early and get to things before everyone from outside of the park made it in. The park is manageable in the early hours of the morning. After that it's hot and crowded and the best thing you can do is find something out of the way to do.
Earlier this year when the Murphy/McGrath family was together for the first time since COVID, I forced everyone to get together for a big family photo and it's one of my favorite photos of the year. We knew we had to do the same at the family reunion and I'm so glad we did! The Karen/Jim/Chuck and Rae families are all represented here.
Our Thursday was really spent hanging out with these people, sharing stories and spending time together - it was good for all our souls. Having the youngest kids, we were the first to break from the group and head to our house. This one night was the only night we stayed in a house for the entire 17 day trip...all other evenings were spent in our camper. It was nice to have walls and doors and bedrooms and two real sized bathrooms. After putting the kids to bed us four adults (Ryan and I and my parents) sat outside on the little deck watching the sun set and reminiscing about all the good times we'd had on the trip so far. Mom and I peeled off soon after to head to bed and read but the guys stayed up to chat, as they normally do.
Less than 5 minutes later I heard Ryan whisper yelling "Girls! Come quick, there's a moose outside!". Mom and I rushed out, Abby too, she was still awake and sure enough, we watched a full size female moose trotting right in front of our house, probably less than 50 feet away from our front porch. I think Ryan would rank that as one of the coolest moments of the trip, a top for my dad as well. I am pretty sure it's the first ever wild moose I've ever seen!
Friday morning was much less eventful. We packed up, grabbed breakfast in West Yellowstone and headed back to our campsite at Grant Village. We spent one final night in Yellowstone, hanging out at our campers and exploring Yellowstone Lake a little before we left Saturday morning for the Tetons. Which, stay tuned, that's the next post that's headed your way.
Friday, July 23, 2021
Our Big Family Road Trip (Part 1)
We left mid afternoon on a Thursday with the intention of getting just a few hours of driving under our tires and so that it would really feel like vacation! We'd planned on just leaving early Friday morning for a big, long day of driving but when Ryan's work schedule allowed him to be home on Thursday, we pivoted our plan and set out for Tomah, Wisconsin, just about 3 hours north of home. We stayed in a KOA that night, our first ever, and honestly it was just what we needed for the one night. They had a small pool, which the kids loved, we made up dinner, poured our first vacation drinks and waited for Chris and Brenna and Ro to meet up with us. While our trip had an ever rotating and changing cast of characters along with us, for the most part Chris/Brenna/Ro were with us the entire trip. We love vacationing with them and the cousin time was perfect for all three girls.
The next day we had a LONG drive ahead of us. Throughout the entire trip we had a total of 4 big big driving days. Days where we needed to put 450-550 miles behind us and this first Friday was one such day. Our plan had us going from Tomah, Wisconsin to Kennebec SD, just a few short hours outside of Custer/the Black Hills. We left early Friday morning and headed west until we spotted signs for the SPAM museum, in located in Austin, MN. It was probably a little early in the day (trip) to be making random roadside stops but we were all having fun, we weren't tired of driving yet, and I'd already declared this summer the "summer of yes" so we decided to pull off and see what we could see.
Honestly guys, this place was pretty cool. For being a random museum in a random town in MN, I was impressed with the interactive displays and all of the stuff there was to see and do inside the museum. It looked brand new and there were so many things to read (about SPAM! Who knew!?). Of course we couldn't leave without picking up a few cans to try out later in the trip. The overall consensus was, not bad, not great. We're all glad we tried it, but it likely won't become a staple meal in any of our houses :) .
Back on the road again, there weren't any more fun roadside stops that day that needed mention, but we DID start planning for our stop the next morning at Wall Drug. Both Ryan and I remembered visiting Wall Drug when we were kids doing this same trip, but somehow neither Chris, nor Brenna, had any idea what we were talking about - so, we knew we'd need to make a stop.
In Kennebec we stayed at another KOA, where they had another pool (though this one was quite chilly!) The kids needed to get their wiggles out though, after about 10 hour of driving and I know we all were ready to be out of the truck. Kennebec was another quick, one night stop on our way west and the next morning we got up fresh and ready for a much shorter drive, only 3ish more hours to Custer where we'd stay for 3 full nights.
We pulled off to stop at Wall Drug around 10 on Saturday morning, got some donuts, did some quick shopping (I bought the girls both a necklace of Black Hills gold, a memory I wanted to re-create for them from my childhood) and THANKFULLY we checked our National Park stamp book before leaving Wall, because we nearly missed the Badlands and our very first park stamp of the trip. I mean, I knew the Badlands were close and that we'd see them as part of the trip, but in my mind (from being a kid) we'd just seen the Badlands as we drove west (it wasn't a special pull off we needed to make). There was some confusion with Chris and Brenna and they'd gotten back on the highway before we realized we wanted to swing through the Badlands so our car ended up doing that part of the trip solo as Chris and Brenna continued to make their way west to Custer.
I'm so glad we realized and took the time to drive through the Badlands. It was HOT that day, over 100 as we drove through what I can only describe as looking at the Moon, or Mars. The Badlands was soooo cool, cooler than I remember as a kid. I wish we'd have been able to get out and hike, even just for a little bit, but it was much too hot, we had the camper behind us, and we knew we needed to keep heading west. While we were at it though, we hit up the Minuteman Missile site right near the Badlands. Two stamps in one day (and two that we almost missed). I wasn't going to make that mistake again, and we checked our park book almost daily as we traveled to be sure we weren't missing anything.
I wish we'd have had more time to explore around both the Badlands and the Missile site. But, now we know for next time, likely when we're both retired and can work on a little bit more flexible schedule.
Our campsites in Custer were cool! We stayed right inside the state park and camped at Stockade North campground. We had electric only hookups (which is what we're used to) and we were all so impressed with how spread out the campground was and how quite it was there! Definitely something to redo another time. Though, Dad swears by Blue Bell Lake, should we ever get an opportunity to book again (making notes for my future travel planning self!).
Our experiences over the next three parks with crowds and the big attractions is pretty much the same, and, if you're asking us about our vacation I'm sure you'll hear us say that we felt a little bit like were were at Disney. Not the cool, most magical place on earth part of Disney though, the long lines, long waits, too many people part of Disney that we hate! All of the parks we visited were super crowded...and the big sites, like Mt. Rushmore, Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic, Wind/Jewel Cave were packed with people all trying to do and see the same things we were (of course!). In each of the parks though we were able to find at least one thing that was out of the way and far less traveled. We'd find hikes or drives or things to do that had less people and less hubbub - but my overarching advice for those of you going on a trip similar to this one - plan your days around the big things you want to see, start early, pack your patience and do your research about some things that are lesser known so you can get a break from the crowds.
Ok - back to the trip. While in Custer we saw Mt. Rushmore, did the wildlife loop drive, drove the Iron Mountain Road (SO COOL!), attempted to see Crazy Horse (too expensive, $35 per person and according to Ryan it looks the same today as it did 30 years ago when we went), hiked, panned for gold (unsuccessfully) and the kids both bought their first (of many) stuffed animal souvenirs.
In fact, we visited Mt. Rushmore on the 4th of July! Seemed patriotic (and busy!). The kids were bummed because they'd been looking forward to fireworks since last year when we missed going to the lake for the 4th (all three of us girls were sick and my COVID test didn't come back until the holiday weekend was over) and everything we'd heard about fireworks in SD was that they weren't happening because of the draught and fire danger and burn restrictions. They were bummed because they both really wanted to see fireworks - as was I. Did you know that the 4th of July is my favorite holiday? I love seeming all the beautiful fireworks, and the summer months are so fun, packed with friends and family and bonfires and grilling out and swimming and long days.
Anyways, after seeing Mt. Rushmore we'd decided to try and eat dinner in Custer which meant a long wait and a much later dinner time than we'd planned, but, it really all worked out because as we were walking to our truck to head back to camp and put the kids to bed we noticed people sitting in fold out chairs camped behind cars, all looking in the same direction. We had every indication that they were setting up for fireworks so in a moment of whimsy (did I tell you that that's another goal of mine this year, to live with whimsy), we decided to stay put and watch the fireworks.
The kids loved everything about this last minute change in plans. They got to stay up late (really late), watch fireworks, sit on the top of the truck and hopefully they'll remember that we were cool parents!! We got home way to late that night but I don't regret our choice even a little bit. It was the prefect ending to the first leg of our trip. Up next, Yellowstone!
Thursday, July 1, 2021
Abby's first big sleep away vacation
Abby did something big this summer! Her first big sleep away, far away from all of us, with another family, in another state for five whole nights. During the summer of 2020, just after the end of second grade her little friend Mati and her family moved away to a suburb of St. Louis. We (both Abby and I) were so bummed when they moved because I really like Mati's family. I felt like they were a good influence for her, they'd introduced us to the Methodist church here in downtown Marengo, and I really enjoyed chatting with Alison, Mati's mom.
I didn't actually believe they'd keep a friendship alive during the year, but, as much as I've grumped about introducing all this technology to kids, it has been helpful in allowing them to stay in touch and remain friends even over the long distance. I wouldn't say they talked (via video) most weeks, but for sure they'd connect a few times a month. At one point they even started a little Art Club where they'd sit and draw/create together on a video call.
So, earlier this summer Alison reached out to see if Abby would be interested in spending a week with them in Missouri and if I'm honest, I wasn't totally sure how Abby would do with it. She seemed excited, but also nervous (understandably so)! Alison had a jam pack week planned for them including a trip to Six Flags (Abby's first), a science museum, and the zoo. They had a camp out planned, and more Legos than I've ever seen in my life (including a cool amusement park that I sort of want to find for the kids).
I'm thinking I might have Abby come back through here when we get home from Yellowstone to write a few paragraphs about her time there so we've got the stories from her perspective. Sheesh...I can't believe that's where we are! I've been writing this blog solo for 11 years and I just realized that very soon I might be including another little voice to help tell our families stories. EKKK! This is going to be fun.
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