Family Vacation

The Young Cousins

A few weeks ago we went on vacation with Joe’s family. We stayed in a cabin in Ashton Idaho. We decided to take our time in getting there.

Jason, Hayden, and Anne

We stopped first in Moreland, Id. It is just west of Blackfoot. My dad’s paternal grandparents are buried there. We drove to Moreland but we were not quite sure where the cemetery was. We saw two boys walking so we stopped and asked them. They gave us quick directions and we drove straight there. My dad told me roughly where the headstones were. We looked and looked and looked for over an hour. Finally, a care taker came to meet with some people to show them some plots. When she was done helping them she looked up the names I gave her. She came back and asked if it possibly could be a different name. I told her no that it was the right name. Then almost jokingly I said, “This is the Moreland Cemetery, isn’t it?” She laughed and said it wasn’t. The Moreland cemetery was about a mile away. She drove over there and we followed. I walked right to the graves. It is amazing how much easier it is to find something when you are in the right place.

We then stopped at the Idaho Falls Temple. It was very beautiful. I love the view of the temple from the road where you can see the falls. They have a very nice visitor’s center that was recently rededicated. They allow the children to touch the Christus. Hayden really liked it. It is so neat to see little ones react to pictures and statues of Christ.

I'm not sure what is wrong with my camera just pretend it is a beautiful pink sunset.

Our next stop was in Iona. That is where my Grandma Anderson grew up. We went to the cemetery there where her parents and brothers are buried. My family used to go to the cemeteries in Idaho every year for Memorial Day. It has been a number of years since I have been there. I was amazed to see all the growth that has taken place in that teeny town. I was glad to be able to show Joe and Hayden where my great grandparents are buried.

Next, we stopped in Rexburg to see the Rexburg Temple. It too, is very pretty. We just took a quick picture and got back on the road and went to the cabin.

Our cabin was about 20 minutes from Island Park. We went to there to play in the river one day. Of course Hayden loved the water. There were paddle boats and canoes available to rent by the hour. We decided to rent a paddle boat. After about 15 minutes of Joe and his dad pushing the stupid thing instead of paddling (the water is too shallow for the paddle boats) we traded it in for a canoe. The canoe was much more enjoyable. Hayden started to get a little fussy so I started sing Ten Little Indians. He was happy unless I stopped singing that song.

Hayden loved to sit on the stairs with Anne

Hayden, Grandma Young, and Anne

As with our drive to Idaho, we decided to enjoy the drive home as well. We went up to West Yellowstone and drove through Yellowstone National Park. We had been in the park less than ten minutes and we started seeing lots of elk. We didn’t get to see any moose or bears but we saw deer and tons of elk. They are such beautiful creatures.

We stopped at some hot pots, Old Faithful, and some waterfalls. But mostly we just enjoyed the beautiful scenery. We headed don to the south entrance and made our way to the majestic Teton Mountains. We stopped at the dam and Hayden through rocks then we headed to Jenny Lake. We rode the boat across the lake and then hiked up to Hidden Falls. It is an easy hike but so beautiful. I have been there a few other times and really wanted to show it to Joe.

Hot Pots

Aren't the Teton Mountains beautiful?

Hidden Falls

It was a very long day (about 14 hours in the car) but I had such a great time hanging out with Joe and Hayden.