2:30 AM: Hunter decided that it he no longer wanted to sleep in his own bed. I would have normally made him cry it out to see if he would fall back to sleep but since we were at a hotel I didn't feel like that was an option. So, he joined Joe and I in bed for a couple of sleepless hours before he was completely awake at 4:45.
8:30 AM: We met up with the family and ventured over to take some pictures at the falls which was a nice start to what was already turning out to be a VERY long day.
9:00 AM: We arrived at Bear World! I really didn't know what Hunter was going to think about driving through a wildlife park but turns out he thought it was a pretty cool adventure. Just like at the Bear and Wolf Discovery center, he called all the bears, kitties and squealed with delight when they got close. Our first drive through the park was in our own cars but then we learned that we could go on a guided tour and throw food out to the animals with a park employee so we did that for our second run through. Hunter was amazed! His eyes would light up, he jabbered the whole time and as we said good-bye to the final set of bears he waved to one named "Piglet." Bear World also had a small petting zoo that we took Hunter into for a short time. There was one little goat that thought Hunter was tasty and followed Joe around the entire time. My sister's kids were able to feed the bear cubs which is definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity.
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| Riding with Nana in Bear World |
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| The goat that followed Daddy and Hunter through the petting zoo! |
12:00 PM: We got in the car and headed back to Montana. Hunter was definitely exhausted by this point so he slept for the entire car ride into West were we had planned to stop for lunch and a little light shopping.
2:00 PM: Final stretch in the car for the day and the decision that Joe and I would stay back at the house for the night instead of going horse back riding with Kara and the kids like originally planned.
5:00 PM: Dad, Kara and the kids left for their horseback riding adventure.
7:00 PM: Mom and Craig left to join the rest of the family for the cookout portion of the trail ride while Joe and I made our own cookout style meal at the house. It was definitely a nice, relaxing evening and Hunter went down on schedule again so we were hopeful that he was going to have a good nights sleep.
10:00 PM: The family returned from their trail ride and had some great stories to share! It definitely sounded like they made memories that will last all of them a lifetime.
Dear Hunter,
What a LONG day you had today! I really didn't think that the drive during your sleep time was going to cause such a disruption to your day but now I know that it does and promise not to do that to you again. You are such a curious little man. All the animals you saw today (buffalo, elk, turkey, goats, deer, a moose and 45 bears) truly amazed you. I wonder if you will be as much of an animal lover as your mom and dad?
Only two more days and we will have successfully completed our first of many family vacations!
Love you more each day,
Mommy and Daddy
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