Toto, we're not in Arizona anymore.

Here's the good news. Unlike Arizona, Wyoming has picnic tables. At least within Yellowstone National Park it does. But our ongoing quest to seek out suitable picnic tables will not be so easily satisfied.
We arrived in Henrys Lake, Idaho late yesterday afternoon. We have rented a 3 bedroom cabin near the state park. It's comfortable and warm and affords us the luxury of spreading out and cooking our own food. While at face value it costs more than a hotel -- we believe we come out ahead.
The last several months have been typically hectic and we're all tired. It's the kind of exhaustion you feel after living on adrenalin for too long. Now the pressure is off and the body goes into a repair mode. This short vacation is what we need to recharge our batteries.
We went to bed early last night and got up late this morning. Just what the doctor ordered. We woke up to a rainy, windy day. We kind of hope the bad weather will keep other tourists at home. This is unlikely, but it can't hurt to hope.
This vacation gives us the chance to visit two more national parks. As you may recall from our Spring Break trip, I'm obsessed with visiting our national parks. Over spring break we hit 4. Today we took in the grand daddy of them all, Yellowstone National Park.
We had hyped the park's wildlife to the kids and within minutes of passing through the gates, the park held up its end of the bargain. A moose, elk, buffalo, a coyote and a brief glimpse of a wolf -- all within the first 10 miles or so of being in the park.
We headed straight for Old Faithful, stopping at some of the geyser areas along the way. Already it's been a great lesson for the kids. Amid the instant gratification and artificial world of video games and television, Mother Nature creates real entertainment. The vivid colors of the bacteria that live in the geyser fields--the anticipation of seeing where the the trail will lead -- real life has the best graphics.
We made it to Old Faithful just in time for a good eruption. The kids were only mildly impressed. It was time for lunch. Past time. Everyone was getting cranky. Surely there would be a picnic table near by.
There might have been.
But picnic tables tend to disappear if our presence. Finally we spotted one in a wooded area. Snow covered and muddy. But a picnic table. We made quick work of sandwiches and chips. Chipmunks waited at our feet for tasty treats. Camp robber birds flew over head.
We packed up and headed out -- only to find just around the next bend...beautiful picnic tables, lakeside... and for only a few brief moments -- sun. Oh Well...
Next on the itinerary: Upper and Lower falls. The kids were fading. It was raining. But we really needed some exercise. The falls are truly breathtaking and worth the walk. Last time we were here, Clem and I hiked to water fall somewhere in this park -- but we had to climb this horrendous stair case. We've been telling the kids about it. They want to make the trip as well. Each time we mention it, we both look at each other with that, "I'm going to regret saying that" wince.
10 years ago, both of us were better shape. Much better shape. Neither of us is confident we can make the climb now. With luck the children will forget we mentioned the staircase....
The way I see it, we must have picked a good cabin. The kids wanted to go back to the cabin. They were even tired of seeing buffalo. All three fell asleep after the last look at the falls. Clem and I drove home listening to the windshield wipers as the kids slept in a pile in the back of the suburban.
Within a few minutes of being home we heard the sound no mother wants to hear; bodies tumbling down the stairs. Apparently, there were trying to play a version of leap frog while coming down the stairs. I'm not sure why that made sense to them. I suspect they won't try that game again.
Tomorrow we'll head for Grand Teton National Park and conclude the day with dinner at a friends cabin.
Sure, it would be nice if there were sunshine. But the sun tends to make us want to go out and do more. We did plenty and the rain makes us want to snuggle into warm blankets. Perhaps, this is what we need.