After our stay where we enjoyed showers, comfy beds and washed some clothes we headed up the north route of the Big Horns.
You would think Jamison was enjoying Big Horn Basin...but no, he was pouting or complaining about something. I will tell myself it was the former.
Peter released some energy at this stop...Jamison LOVES this picture because if you look close Peter's hair is standing up...looking like a harpy eagle. 
First stop, Medicine Wheel, except when we got there the ranger HIGHLY recommend that we do not do the mile and a half hike to see it. Something about 40 feet snow drifts. Bummer. This is the second time Pat has been to the BigHorns and have not made it there. Maybe the next time. Usually this route is cleared out by the 4th of July. Not this year! 
We camped at Bald Mountain. The boys and I were going to hike to the top...but we did not have enough time. 
Camp was nice...not many people there. (a reoccurring theme)..Because of the high snow/run off the water here was not cleared for drinking...so we had to go a ways to get clean water. 
The boys were pretty excited to play by the "stream" next to our campsite...until I busted them floating their crocks down it. Who knows where they would end up. 
Again...another road closure dues to snow or washout...but we found another trail to hike on! 
The one to Porcupine Falls!. 
The boys were troopers on this pretty steep hike! 
and the end result was pretty cool! 
The boys are the little dots on the left. 
We even found pasque flowers...the earliest of "spring" flowers. 
There was a fire here a couple years ago...and we found this log. It was really cool and we attempted to break off a chunk but we had no luck...so the picture will have to do. 
Jamison called out "DEER, um wait, i mean MOOSE!"
Mornings at elevation were a little chilly, i caught the boys sunning themselves on rocks to warm up. 
Now a little reminiscing from my youth....Black Mountain. I spent a lot of time up there on that mountain. 
My main camp site was just beyond those forest service trucks. Spent a lot of time looking at those buttes...or as the boys giggled and wiggled...butts. 
Now for a nice picture of my twins in front of the Twin Buttes.
And Sibley Lake.
Finally The Bear Lodge where I would get beer, a game of pool and contact with the happenings around the world. Good Times! Now for more of what the boys like to do!
Rock climbing!
and more rocks.
I gave up my sleeping bag to keep the boys warm, this is how Peter was sleeping, doesnt he look warm. Me, not so much.
One more photo in front of the Fallen City, I dont think I can get the boys to pose in front of any more places. Peter was showing off his war wound, feeling pretty proud that he has the worst injury of the vacation.
Down from the mtn we stopped in Sheridan, the town where once a week we would make the trek, do our laundry, call home and catch a movie. We were on a mission to find ice cream but found ourselves in the middle of rodeo weekend. The main drag was super busy so we found the first place with ice cream, snatched a picture of the Mint Bar (another place I went with the crew) and got the heck out of there!
You can call it a volcano plug or magma burp it is just pretty cool. 
The sky was clear...you just could not get enough of the post card quality pictures. 
Pat and the boys like the Corvette convention that must be happening somewhere because how else can you explain a parking lot full of the things. They all picked out their favorites-Pats was an orange one, Jamison like the one with the cool paint job and Peter like the older style blue one. Hey! remember we are here to learn about the nations first designated national monument? 
The boys are tiny compared to it! They signed up to be junior rangers...so we were looking at lichen, smelling ponderosa pine trees and watching for rock doves and and mule deer. 
Again for the cool picture with super blue sky. We saw a number of climbers going up the tower and when asked the boys said that they will try doing that when they are old, like 18 or 25. 
Back at the camp site we enjoyed beautiful sunsets to then be woken up to crazy winds that rattled the tent for many hours. We still woke up in WY so all was good. 
Peter thought he was funny when he said he looked like me because he was wearing my hat. If it helps to keep his hair out of his eyes then he can wear it all of the time! 
You can tell we were getting close to the end of the vacation because mornings were getting more difficult. We cleared out the tent and removed Jamison from the tent still on his cot without waking up. When he did wake up he was really confused.... 
"Hey guess what, tonight we are going to a hotel that has showers and a pool!" We all were pretty ripe and were longing for the comforts of home...or at least a hotel. 
But before we got there...we had to stop at Wall Drug and the Badlands. It was about 102° so we only stopped for a photo or two and enjoyed the scenic drive from the comforts of our air conditioned car. 
Despite the sign, i was hoping to see one...from a safe distance of course. 
At Wall, you had to enjoy the free ice cold water (which was not all that cold), ride the jackalope and stock up on all your kitsch items. 
and to think i forgot to get my "____miles from Wall Drug" bumper sticker. rats. 
We are headed to a cool hotel with pool!!! Vacation was good, no major mishaps and we hope to get back to the Mtns again soon. Now for some rest....oh wait we have some birthdays to celebrate.
He didnt really believe that it was out until his mouth filled with blood, then it was not all that fun. I am really happy that one finally came out....I promised him one would come out before school. He stated that if he had all of his teeth when he went back to school I would have to give him all my money and credit cards. And I said sure! Whew! now I can keep all two dollars that I have. There are three more loose ones....Eating corn on the cob is going to get harder and harder and....
The Super Secret Chipmunk club reconvened to see how much food they can steal. They did come out of their hide out for the 1st Annual Big Bear Skin Fisherie! Unfortunately these chipmunks came up empty. 
We hung around a lot...Zachary got a kick out of Uncle Rob, we all do really. Later in the day the kids went out fishing again and this time they hit the jackpot! 
Jamison caught his first, second, third, fourth and fifth fish! Boy was he excited! Gma Jill gave them a tackle box with lots of lures for an early bday gift and boy were they excited!! The boys caught a total of 13 fish that time around! 
Groovy baby! 
Aunt Katie and Kim went out on a tour of the lake. 
The men convened to discuss the rules of ladder ball...is it 1 pt for the blue or 1 point for the white. Directions were even read! Carolyn voted that she knew the red was 2 points! 
Sparklers and assorted fireworks were set off. I was surprised that Peter tried the sparklers...i was sure he would think they were too hot for him. 
Love the lips...pucker up! 
The last time we had photos of the whole Van Family Jamison and Peter were 6 months old...so Gma requested new ones be taken. 
Here are all their grandboys...i would say grandkids...but there is no girl to be seen.Do you think they are all nice boys! why yes, they are! Thank you Don and Jill and Dianna for letting us use your cabins! All 16 Vans had a great time! 
This was the last hoorah for the Cabin as we know it. The whole thing is coming down and a new bigger and better version is on its way up! Cant wait! Happy 4th of July.
