By Caroline:

Monday on our way out of Yellowstone, we stopped to eat lunch at a gift shop and restaurant. It was raining pretty hard with sleet mixed in. After we ate lunch it had cleared up so we decided to drive up the road a mile and swim in the hot springs that Dad knew about. When we got there, we took a short hike up to a river bank but it was too deep to cross and the hot springs were on the other side. We were wearing shorts and t-shirts with no bathing suits or anything, so we hiked back to the RV and changed. Once we had our bathing suits on, we walked back to the riverbank and found a good spot to cross. Once we got across, we went one way, but the hot spring was the other way, so we got lost. But, we followed the creek up until we could see steam. Once we got to the hot spring, there was another couple there. I think we scared them off. We jumped right in to the hot spring. There were two hot springs, one was piping hot and the other was just right. It was like Goldilocks – just right! We found the perfect spot and kicked back and relaxed. Dad only stayed in for a couple of minutes, but us girls didn’t want to leave. But we soon had to as there were gathering storm clouds. When we stepped out of the water it was a sudden burst of icy air. We jumped in our clothes and got ready to hike back. We had to find the spot where we had crossed the first time. By the time we found it, it was starting to drizzle. By the time we crossed, it was pouring down rain! We ran back to the RV and we were drenched from head to toe. Plus, we were freezing. I think my toes could have fallen off. We put on warmer clothes and warmed up before we drove off. But, it was well worth being cold and we added another adventure to our list. 

Thursday morning we woke up early to get our riding boots on! We drove out to a beautiful gravel road that went on 8 miles. We saw a deer or two and then we got to the stables. We checked in and hopped on our horses. Mom’s horse was Antonio, my horse was Rocket, Josie’s was T-Rex and Dad’s was Buster. Our guide told us the basic rules but I didn’t pay attention much since I have taken lessons for years. Then we were off. The first couple of minutes was smooth riding. We ran into mud here and there but it wasn’t too bad. Then my horse had a sudden urge to scratch himself. We were walking along and then he backed up into a tree and almost killed the poor thing. I couldn’t get him to stop and he kept doing it for about 5 minutes. After a minute, I stopped trying and just started laughing. I finally got him moving. We went a little ways and then he did it again. The guide had to come over and help me because I was too busy laughing. Luckily that was the last time he had an itch! 

After about 10 minutes it started getting rocky and we were going up the mountain. The whole time I was thinking to myself the horses that I ride at home would never be able to do this. We were going through mud and rocks. It was steep. By the time we got to the top of the mountain, there were loads of pictures to be taken. It was a beautiful view. We could see the Tetons all around us. Then it was time to start heading back down the mountain. I wanted to get in the back and let Dad pass me so I could slow down and then catch back up in a canter. But Rocket did not like that idea and decided to take off instead. Once we got down the mountain, it opened up into a beautiful valley of flowers. My horse loved to eat grass and he would stop for a couple minutes and then right as Dad was about to catch up on Buster, Rocket would take off in a canter and give me that magnificent feeling of riding that I love so much! He did that a couple of times and he also jumped a couple of creeks. Then our guide stopped us and asked us if we want to bushwhack. We all said yes right away. We started going a little ways back up the mountain to get back to the stables. When we got there, we dismounted and then ran to the RV to get some apples. We fed them to Buster, T-Rex, Antonio and Rocket. Then it was time to leave. Once we got back in the RV, we all agreed that it was not just a normal trail ride, it was one of our amazing adventures!