At the beginning of eighth grade, at an ungodly hour in the morning, my 36 classmates and I gathered at the airport in t-shirts, shorts, and hiking boots. Packed in our suitcases were outfits similar to what we had on, with the exception of a light jacket and a few pairs of jeans. We were off to Yellowstone National Park for a week; one of my school’s most famous field trips. There, we’d learn about buffalo, the fires from ‘89, and hike three miles up to see the spectacular view from Mount Washburn. We lived in Texas, and though Yellowstone was in Wyoming, we never thought we’d get that cold, or wet. We thought we’d bring the sun along with us. We never thought we’d be eating lukewarm chicken in a bathroom because it was raining too hard to eat outside.
Yellowstone is a rite of passage at my school; it’s the first airplane trip we all take. Landing in the smallest airport I’d ever seen, my grade and I didn’t think too much about the weather: windy and cold. We assumed it would lighten up. We assumed wrong. For the next six days, if it was not pouring rain, it was freezing cold. Thus, started the most intense week I’ve had with my class.
The most glorious thing, besides Old Faithful, was supposed to be the view from Mount Washburn. “The hike is hard,” an upperclassman had told me. “But the view is so worth it.” My instructor promised us it had never rained more than ten minutes on the hike up. After five days of non-stop weather, my classmates and I were overjoyed at the thought of finally seeing a slice of what we know Yellowstone is famous for. But, of course, we were wrong. If it wasn’t raining on our hike, it was hailing. Even while peanut-sized hail nailed us, our hopes stayed high–to find we were inside a cloud. Yes, our “glorious view” from the top of the mountain was a thick sheet of white.
And yet, every time I tell the story, when people always comment on how awful and terrible my experience must’ve been, I can’t bring myself to agree with them. Yes, I slept in a flooded tent with four other girls, but I learned the best ghost stories of my life from being kept up by the thunderstorms. For showers, we had to take a ten minute car ride, and our payment to the driver had to be in song form. And even though I was sitting on a guys lap, I had to belt out Hannah Montana’s “Best of Both Worlds” because that’s the only song everyone knew. I was constantly cold, exhausted, and laughing. I attend an incredibly small school; one where the grade sizes are less than 40 kids. We’re family. And though my grade’s the biggest in school, that doesn’t make us any less of a family. We may be giant and dysfunctional, but we have each others back, and I got to see that solidify during my Yellowstone trip. So, no, I didn’t love it because of the view (there wasn’t any), or the wildlife (very scarce), or even the geysers (okay, maybe I loved those a little bit). I loved it because of the people. They say home is where your people are, and in my case, my people happen to be my home. No matter where I am, they’ll be there. Most people can’t say that about their classes.
So thanks, class of 2019. See you soon.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
0 Replies to “Yellowstone: A Disaster Only A Family Could Love”
Comment on this article
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
This is a topic that’s near to my heart… Take care!
Thanks for finally talking about >Family Travel Insurance <Loved it!
Family volunteering opportunities are a great way to give back with your teenager at your side.
May I simply say what a comfort to discover someone that actually knows what they’re discussing over the internet.
Wow, this list is amazing! I’ve always wanted to experience Mardi Gras beyond New Orleans. Thanks for sharing these incredible locations. Can’t wait to start planning my next adventure!
My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find most of your post’s to be precisely what I’m looking for. Would you offer guest writers to write content for yourself?
I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on a number of the subjects you write regarding here. Again, awesome weblog!
excellent post, very informative. I’m wondering wwhy the other experts oof this secto do not notice this. You should proceed your writing. I am sure, you have a huge readers’ baee already!
Hello.This post was extremely remarkable, especially because I was browsing for thoughts on this issue last couple of days.
You completed several good points there. I did a search on the matter and found mainly folks will agree with your blog.
WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for
T Thomas Group offers bespoke travel planning.Luxury Travel Specialist that specializes in customized itineraries, luxury cruises, small group tours, solo travel and all aspects of LGBTQ+ travel. We ensure a seamless and luxurious travel experience, designed exclusively for you.
Thank you, I have just been searching for info approximately this subject for a while and yours is the best I have found out so far. However, what concerning the bottom line?
Are you certain in regards to the supply?
Hello! Would you mind if I share your blog with my myspace group?
There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content.
Please let me know. Thanks
Very interesting subject, thanks for posting. blog
It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy.
Great post and straight to the point.
Interesting post. I’m glad I came across this page. I’m going to bookmark it so I can read any future posts.
An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a coworker who has been conducting a little research on this. And he in fact ordered me lunch because I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending some time to talk about this subject here on your website.
Hi! Im originally from Cambiaso and
I do mission trips to the village every year. I have read your article and I am so grateful for what you have done with my people. I would love to connect with you.
Wow, this article really resonated with me! Traveling in Europe with family can be such an incredible adventure, but it definitely comes with its own set of challenges. From navigating unfamiliar streets to finding activities that everyone enjoys, it’s a whirlwind of excitement and sometimes chaos. But hey, isn’t that what makes the best memories? Thanks for sharing your experiences and tips, they’re super helpful for planning our own European family escapade! ???
It’s hard to find knowledgeable people in this
particular topic, but you seem like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
Greetings! I’ve been following your website for a while now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give
you a shout out from Atascocita Tx! Just wanted to mention keep up the great work!
Your writing has a way of making even the mundane sound interesting. Kudos!
They are very very similar to the key facet all of us keep hidden from the world, the part of us that dares to dream impossible issues, where all our hopes and fantasies are born.
This article is impressive for me as mine east coast of usa
Howdy! This blog post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this
article reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept preaching
about this. I will send this article to him.
Fairly certain he’ll have a very good read. Many thanks for sharing!
Absolutely love this list of Mardi Gras celebrations outside New Orleans! Each destination seems to offer its own unique blend of culture, music, and vibrant festivities. While I’m tempted to explore them all, I can’t help but dream of experiencing the colorful chaos of Mardi Gras in Goa, India. Exploring India’s rich cultural tapestry during this festive season would undoubtedly be an unforgettable adventure. Thanks for inspiring wanderlust with these fantastic recommendations!
Thanks verfy interesting blog!
I was able to find good info from your blog posts.
“MyFamilyTravels provides a wonderful platform for families to share their travel experiences and glean inspiration for their own adventures. The diverse array of destinations and insightful tips make it a valuable resource for planning memorable trips. Kudos to the team for fostering a community that celebrates the joys of family travel!”
Your site is great and I plan on exploring it even more in the future. It is well written, comprehensive in it’s suggestions, It was a great article, thanks for sharing!
nice
There is certainly a lot to learn about this subject.
I really like all the points you made.
Nice Blog, Thanks for sharing this informative blog. We provide a Nepal Tour Package from Musafircab.
Yes. This is exactly what you should know to have a comfortable and cost-effective trip.
bookmarked!!, I love your site!