This Trip Report is largely written by my sister Elaine (Laine). She and her husband David have listened to me rave about Yellowstone over the last 12 years so they finally decided they'd have to see it for themselves. I tried to get them to come in June or July but their schedules did not allow it. They did have a free week around their wedding anniversary in early October, so we settled on those days. I told them I hoped we would not have bad weather that late in the year, that usually the Park is not hit by severe snow until, say 10/12 but, well...you'll see.

I have made some editorial decisions for clarity and since I can no longer add photos to this site I have deleted most of the references to the many photos they took. She wrote these reports as e-mail messages to their children.

Laine is older than me by 2.5 yrs. She and her husband are both doctors from Cincinnati, Ohio. They have three great kids - Matthew is a tech wizard who lives in Madison, WI; Michael is in grad school in forestry and Becky graduates college this spring. Laine & David are active people, but not as out-doorsy as your typical Yellowstone visitor. They do enjoy travel and history and have a scientific appreciation of nature and geology.

I had a blast guiding them through my favorite place on earth and congratulate them on their ruggedness! I regret we didn't have more sun and didn't see any wolves, but I also feel we we did a LOT given the inclement weather. It is a special treat for me to be able to share the place I love so much with my family. Hint, hint, Cindy, Matthew, Michael & Becky! You're next!

This is Laine's introduction:

Dear M, M & B:

What a trip! We have seen more Geological Thermal features than we ever knew existed, observed hundreds of wild animals au naturel, and explored a landscape of such "diversity" that one ought to be required to pass a sensitivity training course before embarking. The only thing we didn't see on our four day safari was the Sun - but we did learn some new words for precipitation- such as "grapple" - a cross between snow and fine hail, peculiar to the western mountains.