I’ve long been a fan of America’s National Parks. This probably began the summer I worked in Yellowstone while I was a college student.  At 21-years-old, visiting Yellowstone was a life altering-experience.  Although I’ve visited quite a few national parks, Yellowstone has remained my favorite.

Fast-forward a few years to my favorite national park experience: I’d long wanted to share my love of Yellowstone with my children.  I knew it would be an expensive trip, but we were finally able to take a family vacation to both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks in June of 1997.  My son, Scott, was eleven-years-old and my daughter, Kim, celebrated her sixteenth birthday while we were there.  They were old enough to enjoy all the parks had to offer and, fortunately, they were thrilled with the adventure of it all!  

Not only were the geyser basins and the Rocky Mountain scenery magnificent, but we were treated to an American wildlife safari.  During our travels, we saw bison, elk, moose, deer, bear, antelope, coyotes, picas, marmots, and so much more.  We were also able to take a wild whitewater rafting trip on the Snake River and a high elevation horseback ride near the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

We stayed in the Parks most of the time, away from television and other electronic devices.  It provided a great opportunity for us to bond together as a family.  We were busy all day and had great fun playing competitive card games like Spades and Hearts in the evenings.  Memories of this special time together will last lifetime. I think all would agree -- it truly was the “best vacation ever!”   

- Amy, Mast Store Hendersonville

For more of our Mast Family National Park Service adventures and recommendations, click HERE