Yellowstone River

As the shivers went bone deep and the cold chilled my skin we set off onto the Yellowstone River on a White Water Raft Trip.  Dressed in swim gear, swim shoes, and a borrowed blue water jacket I was ready for my first Class II and III rapids; never mind the fact that it was raining heavily outside with dark clouds announcing thunder and white streaks confirming lightning.

John The Guide made us feel brave and mighty as he complimented the eight-paying customers on board his vessel for not wimpy-out and canceling the show due to weather.  Between the two families aboard there were four children age 6 to 11 who were equal in their enthusiasm with laughter and joyous screams for the thrill of every bump and wave action over the raft.

Imagine yourself in your undies in an Alaskan snowstorm. Now you know the chilling cold to the bone feeling we experienced as we traveled eight miles down the glacier-fed Yellowstone River.

But the beauty of God's great earth surrounding the white waters somehow calmed and warmed the body enough to endure the ferocity of the chill.  Osprey's flying overhead seemed to almost have a sense of gratitude towards the crazy boat of eight rookies sailing down his stream.  Two dear were along the path who hid mysteriously between the tree line, in awe that humans were so crazy to be on a river in a thunder and lightening storm, when they was just trying to nourish their bodies and stay dry.

John The Guide was all about having fun. His belly, raspy laugh was enough to put a smile on your face as you emerged from the water that just swept over your body. His care for the kid's having fun was top notch as he made sure their feet were locked in and their hoods were up as he maneuvered our boat spectacularly through the Class III rapids. Like a fireman's hose turned on full-blast on our four children, the waves swept over the boat, crashing down on the kids, ending with screams of laughter and shrieks of happiness.

The Yellowstone River. The place where our family braved Nature's Storm and succeeded in victory in a powerful bonding moment to kick off our Yellowstone Adventure.

Warming up back at the cabin over Pizza and a game of Apples to Apples before pipping hot showers and bed time ended our perfect adventure.  Yellowstone Rafting Company + K Bar Pizza + God's Beautiful Design in the millions of acres of the Northwest corner of Wyoming for us to enjoy ... SIMPLY THE BEST!!!