Last month we went on vacation. We did lots of driving, as we went to Boise, Idaho, and then came back through Yellowstone National Park on our way back home. My sister-in-law got married (congrats).

We spent lots of time with family, including going paddle-boating at a rather neat park in Boise.

We saw all sorts of things in YNP. Words can’t even describe all the awesomeness.

Then we stopped at the Montana Grizzly Encounter. When we first pulled in, we were a bit afraid that it was going to be a dud, but we were amazingly wrong. The gal working there was really mindful of the visitors, and made sure we weren’t disappointed. The bears even answered to their names (Brutus and Sheena), and came ambling down when she threw them fruit (yes, bears are omnivores). Brutus was rescued from a bear breeder who was going to kill him because no one wanted to buy him. Sheena and her sister were kept in a very small cage, with no room to move for 15 years, so they don’t get along very well, and only one comes out into the main area at a time. We saw the cage, I can’t even imagine keeping any animal in there, let alone a large animal like a bear (2 of them even).

All in all, it was a great trip. Enjoy the pictures!