Grand Tetons-Yellowstone- Day 10

Let's see is Marc notices that Yoni and I beat him to the blog. What a day! Some of the highlights included seeing Old Faithful, a black bear dragging a carcass across a field for dinner, bison, elk, and a moose, We started the day in Grand Teton National Park (and got our passport stamped) where we did a little hike, and then entered Yellowstone. The boys are trying to complete the requirements to be Junior Rangers at this park as well, but it is a rigorous process here. After watching and learning about Old Faithful we went to some of the thremal hot springs and settled in at the hotel before returning to Yellowstone for a tour at dusk. Little did we know that the road closes at 10pm due to construction so we had to derail our journey, but thankfully saw some animals in the wild along the way. The bear was definitely a highlight for all. We are safe and sound and ready for another day in Montana tomorrow.

Good night!

Jackson- Day 9

I was asked to provide some pictures so here is a link to our snapfish album. They are not all there yet but most are http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=2854699017/a=3310091_3310091/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

(for some reason-blogspot translates the code into the actual link rather than a click here as the code is written, I am too tired to figure out why)

We started out early today by heading up to the Grand Tetons so the boys can take their Junior Ranger course. They seemed to have a good time and the guide was nice in taking Eli and Ehpy who were 2 years below the age limit of 8. This also gave Debra and I some free time to hike by the waterfalls. It is so beautiful that you stay there forever and still be amazed. After picking up the boys we headed over to the Bison grazing grounds and watched the Bison herd.

Next it was off to the main part of the day the whitewater rafting trip. It was lots of fun. Debra and I did it before so we knew the boys would love it. Ephy protected himself too well from the rapids and missed all the pictures but they got some good shots of us (which I am not going to spend $120 to buy so I just took them off the net).

Tomorrow -Yellowstone

Idaho & Wyoming- Day 8

Today's update is brought to you by Debra and Yoni. I (Debra) have read this blog daily, and will continue to ignore Marc's comments. We awoke in Pocatello, drove to Blackfoot and Marc got to see his first Idaho potatoes of the trip. The Potato Museum was nice for the kids and the best part was probably the free postcards and pins for the kids, and the free OU hashbrowns for Marc and me. (The kids have rated the hasbrowns a 10- a late evening snack for them). We then visitied the Museum of Idaho in Idaho Falls and jorneyed on to the Falls where we were able to watch the practice run for the International Dance Festival taking place this weekend. Interesting dance routines, and I think the Egyptian group really got a kick out of the boys and answering their 101 questions (i.e. Did you know Paroah tried to kill us but we won?- just kidding). We are currently in Jackson, Wyoming where the boys have already enjoyed the 2*4 swimming pool/ whirlpool and sauna. Will be here for 2 nights while we trek through the Grand Tetons. Keep the comments coming. The boys (& Marc) like the bedtime reading.

Birds of Pray - Day 7

WOW! I can't believe we are already up to day 7. This is going too fast. Next thing I know it will be back to school and than bar mitzvah, wedding.... ok I won't get too far ahead of myself. Still waiting for Debra to read this blog. You will know when she did when she comments.
Today we got off to a very slow start due to the late night last night. The hotel was very nice and had a great kosher breakfast. We got Ephy his meds and off to the world center for birds of pray at Peregine. It was expensive but very interesting and took up most of the day. We got lessons on how to handle and train various types of falcons and other birds. I was questioning if it paid to get AAA specially for the trip (since I have Geico road service and has been fine). I can now say I think it might be worth it. It cost 100 to sign up and every place so far has taken it. I am not positive if it will reach 100 but it is worth the experiment.

From there we took another long drive to Pocatello Idaho. So far 2 days and I haven't seen even one Potato. Not much going on here in Pocatello but the mountain background is beautiful.

PS of course I knew it was you Leah- I never thought for a second Daniel would read my blog. Thanks for showing support. I am looking to be the #1 blog on the internet :.)

Leaving Oragon- Dalles Museum- Day 6

Our first big travel day started out really late because of the car fiasco. After keeping me on hold or hanging up on me throughout the night, we finally got a new car at 2am. They could not give us the same car so they gave us a suburban. This car is a monstrousity for no reason. I would fire the person who designed it. It has less storage room than the stow and go minivan and so many less extras. Nothing makes sense in this car and it eats gas but this is what we got so we will be happy with it. The worst part though is it has no tv and the kids are really not happy. So we have to use the portable dvds and bought a car plug for them.
Our trip from Oragon left at 11am and we went to the Dalles Museum- Columbia Gorge Discovery Center. It was a very nice muesum showing the kids what it was like to be like Lewis and Clark. They had a long movie about them and their struggles, which was great for me to catch up on the sleep I lost the night before. We actually have that same National Geographic video at home. The kids got to dress up and try to stack a boat without it tipping and other cute activities. Ephy's tooth infection is back so I guess it is time for a new dentist.
The rest of the day was a long ride to Boise Idaho. We got in at midnight and I was exhasusted from driving. I had one issue- my first speeding ticket. Everyone was speeding but I guess I was the forighener so I got picked. The cop was nice, so that usually means in my mind that he is going to be the strickest when it comes to the ticket and I was right. He got me at 81 on a 65 and did not lower it. The most annoying part is the whole trip I really kept at or below the speeding limit. We will see what will happen with this because I am not going to court.
Next birds and more travel.

Shabbat -Day 5

It is still Marc posting. Thanks for the comments- keep them coming. Shabbat was very nice. I could not get away from davening and speaking but it was not bad. Chanan has a nice setup there and everyone is very nice. We ate lunch with a guy named Ben Faulk who has a very interesting job, he is the stats guy for the GM of the Blazers. He helps him make all decisions on trades and drafts. He is shomer shabbat and is from Potomac MD and went to the University of MD. He has a big job for someone who is only 22. Also with a girl name Lian who is very desperate to get married, she is in McGill University. We did not get much rest but it was fun playing with the kids and learning with them all.

Sky Bridge- Day 4

The day started out in camp for the boys and some learning time for Marc. Debra has been commenting on the blog but still has not read it but she will write today as our rent a car is broken after spending hours packing all the stuff in the storange in the bottom of the van. Now I have to go at 1am to move all the stuff to the new van they are going to bring me so I am blogging while waiting but only Friday's post.

After camp, Chanan and I took the kids to the sky bridge. It is an amazing tram ride up to the hospital where you can see all of Portland from the tram. It did cost us $32 to get the kids up but it was an experience. Once up we walked over this sky bridge that connects 2 hospital buildings together. It is amazing and how they built all this is even more amazing. It is not a place for one who is afraid of heights. I was really nervous with the kids (especially Ephy) as they like to jump up on the fence protecting us for a tremedous drop.

After this we went to play kickball in the park to get us until 4:30 where Debra and Meira were to take over and take the boys bowling. There were lots of tears when we could not get a tie (as everyone treats a game as if it were the world series, even though it was just Portland versus West Orange Spivaks-we won).

Bowling was a hit from what I heard, Yoni (our Wii bowling champ) got three spares in a row in real bowling. Eli and Ephy got strikes and won a chachka that broke in 5 seconds.

Debra dropped the boys off at the house and went to do more shopping and broke the car. The adventure continues....

PS. I was mistaken-Multnomuh falls are not in Washington State so I changed it in the Blog. Please keep the comments coming.