Quake Lake...

We happened to be in the very spot almost 50 years to the day that a MASSIVE 7.3 earthquake rocked the region causing the side of the mountain to crash into the river below, forming what is now known as Quake Lake. Twenty eight people died that night. It really is an eerie spot, dead trees stick out of the lake and pictured below is a cabin that was thrown from it's foundation and has been floating along the coast line for a half a century.

The side of the mountain that slid off, just like it looked nearly 50 years ago.

Special Cargo...

Seeing that there were six of us and only five real seats (in one car at least) I volunteered to ride in the back where I could spread out and take frequent naps while listening to my iPod. (HEADS WILL ROLL!  On repeat.) I also managed to get some fun photos out of it, but are those hairy knee boobs or a hairy knee butt.  I'm still not sure. 

Ol' Man (Buffalo) River...

The Buffalo River runs a hop, skip and a jump behind Jake's family cabin. It truly is spectacular, wouldn't you agree? A few snapshots, just to prove it:

We Do Yellowstone...

The last several times I've done the cabin trip, we've skipped out on actually venturing into the park.  This year however, we had a good reason-- no, make that two good reasons to make the journey. (See next post for the scoop)

It was very crowded but we still managed to get some fun pics in the relatively short time we were there.  Oh yah, and got so see some incredible nature while walking around on an enormous active volcano.  And to date, I still have yet to see a bear.  One year!  It's gonna happen.  This year, only elk.

(Can you say Dumbass?  Stay on the boardwalk.  Idiot!!)

...So Do The Obamas...

...So it just so happened that the exact weekend that we were up at the cabin, the President and his family would be visiting Yellowstone.  Not only that, but it was also Fee Free weekend for all of the national parks.  Can you say score?   And we learned all of this the evening before when Jeff grabbed a local newspaper for reading material.  We were not going to venture in to the park but this breaking news more than twisted our arms. 

 

Saturday afternoon, we got within two miles of the president (when they were at Old Faithful) but the road was closed for security so we turned around rather than waiting for a possible hour or so.  

While in West Yellowstone eating lunch, an undercover secret service agent stationed the corner right next to our Dairy Queen table.  We also saw helicopters buzzing overhead, the airplane that carries all the presidents vehicles and a police procession with some SUVs with really blacked out windows. No way to know for sure or not if it was the president, we'll just say that for argument's sake the Obama's just drove by.  It was amazing being so close to a man I respect and admire.  Plus, it didn't cost a thing.  No complaints... well maybe one. it would have been cool to finally see a bear. 

Road closed ahead going into Old Faithful.

Do we wait or turn around?  Turning around won, seeing as everyone was starving.

Meanwhile two miles down the road....