Let me start by saying, I can't believe I didn't get video and only snapped pictures as T-Rex made it's way through iconic national parks the past couple weeks. It all started this June when my Sarah requested T-Rex for her 13th birthday and I loved the idea.
When she opened the gift her first question was, 'can I take this on vacation' to which mom laughed saying, 'you know dad is already planning on it.'
So T-Rex traveled a few million years and a couple thousand miles via SUV to take pictures in the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Glacier NP and Mount Rushmore. Here are just a few of the adventures that we had while taking the airy beast around.
It was very interesting to see the two most common reactions to T-Rex coming out. First, I was amazed at the number of people who seemed completely unfazed by the giant nylon reptile. They would see it and have zero reaction and go about their way. The second reaction was genuine happiness with the most common phrase being, 'You have made my day!' followed quickly by, 'Here is my phone, please take a picture of me with T-Rex!!!'
The top picture is KK from the Teton Cabin rental office as T-Rex celebrated her birthday by taking a chomp out of her. She couldn't stop laughing. Next is T-Rex making a quick call, one dinosaur inside another dinosaur in a single picture. Get it?
Here T-Rex does the unexpected and decides to do a little kayaking on Jackson lake of the Tetons. Unfortunately for Rex, the short arm syndrome makes working the paddles impossible. Here the kayak rental person becomes another person requesting a candid pick.
In Yellowstone T-Rex made it's way through the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone at the lower falls overview site. At this location I wish I would have taken a picture of the number of people who were completely indifferent to this plastic animal posing for pictures.
Here Rex considers taking a Red Bus tour through Glacier NP, but realized that the average age of the clientele of the bus tour was actually older than Rex. Yikes!
Here is T-Rex with the crew from the Flying Pig Adventure company who took us white water rafting. They wanted to tweet that Rex visited. With all of the excitement, Rex left her tennis shoes behind. Fortunately, when you call a few days later and say, 'I think T-Rex left her shoes', the crew more than remembers the reptile and happily mails the shoes back to Texas! Rex has surprisingly petite feet.
Always being nature aware, T-Rex reads up on the local beasts that dominates Glacier NP. For the tale of the tape, T-Rex takes the grizzly on speed, canine teeth size and claw length with the grizzly having the 'reach' advantage over Rex. We looked and found bear spray to carry but there was no T-Rex spray to be found.
T-Rex spreading the word of keeping wildlife wild! Represent!
Flashing little known presentation skills, Rex presents the latest ranger program, 'Jurassic Park to National Parks, Take a Bite Out of Adventure'. Rex especially liked the air conditioning that made staying in the costume longer easier as we waited for the park rangers to take a picture with her.
At the Glacier NP visitor center we were getting Sarah into the costume when a retired couple came up to us and the husband looked perplexed and said, 'I just don't get it!'. Before I could respond his wife chirped up and said, 'I just is, it's fun!!!' and I excitedly pointed at her and said, 'Exactly!'.
With Rex plumped up, we waited for the park rangers to be available for pictures (their request not ours). I noticed the same retired couple over at the park's topographical map, but the husband continuously watched Rex's interaction with complete strangers. First, there were the two brothers, about 5 and 7, who came over asking for a hug and a picture. Then the teenagers with huge smiles came over for a picture mimicking the short arms and sharing that phrase, 'You made my day'. Then another family with Rex in action chomping the mother's head. Finally, the rangers were available and T-Rex drove obvious fear into the park ranger! Shout out to the two rangers from UT and Pittsburgh!!!
It was at the close of Rex's Glacier NP photo session when someone grabbed my left arm. I looked over to see that it was the husband of the retired couple getting my attention. He leaned in and said, 'I just want you to know, I think your daughter has terrific parents!' he then smiled then winked.
He made my day!
T-Rex closing our the marathon road trip at Mt Rushmore! Boy I wish I had taken video. I really wish I had taken video.
