[Note: this actually occurred just before the 4th of July] Way up here at 8000 feet, it hasn’t felt like summer. Beyond just the deliciously brisk weather, my whole world has been turned upside down, so I haven’t been able to decipher what day it is, let alone what month, finding myself shocked when I encounter the calendar, like, “It’s already June? I don’t remember May or April at all.” (For the record, I know it’s July now.)

But yesterday, oh boy! Summer came at me hard, with sunny open arms and a cool blue embrace. Every campground, hotel, and lodge is full to capacity in the park this weekend for the 4^th of July, and a sense of holiday spirit is swelling. Rafal, baby, and I took the beautiful drive north, up past Old Faithful, and turned off onto the Firehole River scenic drive. (On the way there we saw lots of bison and elk, and only encountered a tiny bit of traffic). We were told that the swimming hole on this route would be packed, but we went anyway! Because it was finally hot outside and we just needed to jump in a river!

The swimming hole was grand! Packed with the perfect level of family vacation energy as moms and dads and cousins and grandmas jumped and splashed and played in the river, where hot spring water mixes with ice cold snow melt to create a chilly but comfortable swim spot. It made us feel like we were on vacation too, and it felt really, really good.

And Lydia loved the water, by the way. Plus, we look really good in sun hats.