Monday, October 12, 2009
I just received the best card from Jen, asking me what was going on in my life. I've been lax in keeping y'all updated. I apologize, and here is the update that's been a long time coming.
At the end of July, Xanterra gave an employee appreciation event for the whole park. It started with a steak dinner in the EDR that was served by our managers, and ended with a Wolf Night dance (basically Halloween in July). I had met two guys in the sunroom the night before, Todd and Chad, and invited them to the dance because they were bored and needed something to do at night. We had a good time.
This month I have hiked Avalanche Peak, Mt. Washburn, Pelican Valley and a few shorter day hikes to Riddle Lake and the canyon. I also attempted to hike Pine Creek (which is actually a mountain trail) but Megan and I decided to call it quits halfway up and go to Chico Hot Springs to visit our friends Jordan and Brandon, who were fired from Yellowstone.
I have been making many trips to Bozeman to take friends to the airport. Daina, Charlie and Megan all left this past month. It has been sad to see them go, and many more will be leaving soon for school, but I still have alot of friends who will remain until the begining of October, like me.
While working in the sunroom one night, I met James and Iain, two bristish blokes who are travelling through the US from August to December. They had met some amazing people and had some crazy stories to tell. They stayed two nights and we had a great time hiking Elephant Back at midnight and hanging out at the lodge. They were travelling with very little money, and living on the hospitality of others, and I think that's making for a better trip.
We have discovered that Jackson Hole Whitewater gives trips to Yellowstone employees for free, so that is our new weekend activity. We have been twice just in the past week, and plan to go again this Friday. I think everybody must whitewater raft before they die, it is too fun! I haven't fallen out yet, but Megan, who can't swim, fell out at the Big Kahuna, which is where they take your picture. We purchased the picture of Megan in mid air, for memories sake.
My cousins MIke and Gena, where in Jackson Hole for a conference, and I had a wonderful lunch with them. It was great to see famaliar faces this far from home.
Daina and I went to the International Dance festival in Rexburg, Idaho (not really a fan of Idaho) and we had a great time. There was a parade with dancers from many countries and at night a DJ played music so we could all dance in the street. Daina and I got henna on our hands, and camped on the way back to the park.
Yesterday, the park celebrated Christmas in August, a tradition started by guests who were stranded at Old Faithful during a snowstorm on August 25. They thought the date appropriate, and decorated a tree and sang carols. This is still done today, and Santa and Mrs Claus made an appearance. Catherine the piano player played carols most of the night, which drove me and my co-workers crazy.
The buffalo are in their rut season, and are making the worst noises in search of their mates. We now have a whole herd that moved in yesterday, and will not shut up. I won't walk to work because they are everywhere, and really scary.
Work is going great, and with so many people leaving, I will be working more and more hours, but I knew this was going to happen, so I don't mind.
I plan on returning home in early October for a few short weeks, then coming out to Colorado to work at a ski resort for the winter. I've applied at Copper Mountain, Winter Park, Steamboat Springs and Aspen/Snowmass. I'll keep you posted as to which one I decide on!
Love and miss you all, and can't wait to be home in October!
July is almost gone, and soon August will be here. August means goodbye to several of my close friends whose time it is to go home.
Daina and I were all set to go camping on Friday night, but when it came time to go, we decided to be lazy and stay home instead. We had bought a tent at Walmart, and thought that we had to pitch it, just because. We set it up in my room, (it fit perfectly) and set the camp chairs out in the hallway. Using colored paper, we made our own campfire and read scary stories by flashlight. It was the best camping trip I have ever been on, no bug bites!
Two Moons, who lives down the hall, decided to barbecue on Saturday night, which sparked a bonfire on the volleyball court. Everybody came after work to roast marshmallows and warm themselves by the fire. Sunday night, we all went to the pub for salsa night. I played cornhole with Richard and lost.
Getting my oil changed is an adventure around here, I learned that on Monday on a trip to Cody. Nobody drives German cars in Wyoming, because they didn’t have a filter for my car. Also, my hubcap was stolen in Bozeman while I was in Target. My car has gotten a lot of abuse lately.
This morning, Carrie and I made the trek to Fishing Bridge. We walked along the shoreline of the lake and spotted an elk and some bison. The water was calm, and the geese and pelicans were swimming. The sun shone low over the Absaroka mountain range. It was just the perfect morning. Tomorrow Daina, myself and a few others are camping on Shadow Mountain for real this time. On Saturday we plan on making it to Chico Hot Springs to go swimming.
Miss ya!
I’ve been told the weather here is better then what I’ve left behind. It’s been in the seventies and sunny for the past two weeks. We’ve had a few summer storms with power-outages and white caps on the lake. The rainbows that follow console us and remind us that there is beauty in the aftermath.
This past week has been one of my favorites of the season so far. My dearest friends Jen, Rach and Michelle came to visit me one the first leg of their cross country road trip. They arrived late on Tuesday night and slept on my tiny dorm room floor. Wednesday I took them to Jackson, my favorite little town just past the Tetons. We shopped and tried on cowboy boots, then ate Mexican food at the Merry Pigs. I took them to the shootout, and afterwards a character asked Michelle for her number. I think I embarrassed him when I laughed too hard as we were walking away.
Thursday I showed them around the park, we went to Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring. I had to work later that night, so my friend Daina took them to Artist Point and buffalo watching. We then hit the pub for some pizza and salsa dancing. They left Friday to drive 13 hours to visit Nick in Washington.
Friday Daina, Carrie and I drove six hours to Missoula which is in the western part of Montana. We attempted to camp, and found a perfect spot by a little creek with a sandy beach. We left to get supplies and returned around 11 pm, only to find the campsite locked with our tent inside. After a run in with the caretaker, we packed up our tent and left. We ended up at a Courtyard with comfy beds and TV, which was much nicer then camping with the mosquitos.
We spent Saturday shopping and enjoying civilization. We saw Transformers 2 and explored the University of Montana campus. We sped home Sunday to get there in time for work, driving through the Gallatin Mountains.
The past few days me friends and I have been on a Lord of the Rings kick, watching them right before work and after, too. Tommorow Daina, Dara and I are going into Cody to catch Harry Potter and to get some real coffee.
That’s all from here, time is moving so fast, but having a blast.
Hello y’all!
Can’t believe it’s July already. Time is like a mosquito that does not want to be caught between my hands. We have a lot of them out here, mosquitos, that is, and they really like me. I am covered in bites, that is my own fault because I have yet to buy deet.
On a sad note, Cory, the friend I asked you to pray for, passed away on Wednesday, his 22nd birthday. A celebration of life was held in the pub for all the employees. Please keep his family and friends in your prayers.
My friends and I have been up to the usual things, hiking and rowing and exploring the park. Friday a few of us returned to Moose Falls to catch some rays. The water was really warm due to the thermal features at the top of the falls. Later that night, a few of the girls and I had a movie night. It was the first time I had popcorn since leaving home.
I spent the Fourth of July in Jackson with a big group of friends. We carpooled down through the Tetons and shopped and attended the Jackson Hole Music Festival. The local shot-out was amped up for the holiday, it featured a bare-back shooter and audience participation. My friend Carrie and I attended the rodeo. We then met up with everybody for the fireworks, which were the best I’ve ever seen. We finished the night with McDonalds, because most of us haven’t been in a few months, and TV, which we haven’t seen in a few months. It was heaven.
Daina and I walked to church on Sunday morning, and it was great to attend a service again with live music. We then met up with everybody else to eat breakfast at the Bunnery, which is famous in Jackson for the best breaskfast in town.
On Monday, Daina, Victor and I hiked Natural Bridge, a nice three mile hike that ends at a waterfall covered by a natural rock bridge. The mosquitos got me good. We took tons of pictures, I’m getting really good at using the self-timer and getting my face in the picture before it goes off.
Tomorrow, Jen, Rachel and Michelle arrive to spend a few days with me!!! I cannot wait! I have awaited their arrival for so long. It will be great to see friendly faces from home again.
Love and miss you all!
Time is flying by, one day blurs into the next, and the weeks cease to matter. We have no real weekends here, our Fridays may be our Tuesdays, and our Thursdays our Mondays. Nobody knows what day it is, it is a common thing to hear in the EDR, ‘what day is it?”. Don’t even ask about dates, we haven’t a clue.
Tuesday, as is our custom, we set sail in a rowboat to catch a few rays of sunshine. Getting out of the bay was the easy part. We strayed far from our course, so the way back was a little difficult. We did make it back, with only a few minor sunburns and blisters.
Wednesday and Thursday were lazy days for me, I slept in til 11 both days, and watched movies until work. Thursday night, a friend from work was weightlifting without a spotter when 250 lbs fell on his chest, then rolled to his neck. He was airlifted to a nearby hospital, where he remains in critical condition. I believe he is still in the doctor induced coma, as we have had no update. Please keep Cory, his family, and my fellow employees in your prayers.
My weekend days are Friday and Saturday. I share them with my friends, so we always plan things to do. Friday it poured rain, so we sat in the lounge and planned out the rest of our weekends. We scheduled a few camping trips to the Tetons, a whitewater rafting trip, horseback rides and trips to Jackson Hole, which is our favorite little western town.
Saturday morning we drove down to Grant Village for a guided kayaking trip on Lake Yellowstone. Originally the price in $95 per person, but for park employees, it was only $15 ( I think that’s a bargain). It was so cold when we first started out, but the sun soon warmed us up. We were two to a kayak, and that made things very easy. They took us along the shores of West Thumb and to the nearby geyser basin which is right on the water. All the tourists on the boardwalk snapped our pictures as we floated by. It was a 4 mile round trip, and it took us about 3 hours. By the end of the trip, we were ravenous.
After stopping to get some food, we drove down to Moose Falls, which is a popular spot for swimming. It had warmed up to 66 degrees, and for us that is summer! We hiked down the ravine to the creek, and sunbathed on the big boulders right near the falls. The mist from the falls kept us cool, but I received a wicked sunburn that still hurts. Next time, I’m wearing sunscreen.
That evening, a few friends and I droved to Lake Butte overlook to watch the sunset. We missed the sun actually setting, but the sky was still beautiful, and that mad it worth the drive.
After church on Sunday morning, we went hiking on Elephant Back Mountain. The trail is right outside our door, and we plan to hike it every week to get in shape for one big hike at the end of summer. This was our second time hiking the trail, and it felt easier than last time, but we still have a ways to go. We had packed our lunches and ate them at the top of the trail, which is an overlook of the lake, Absaroka Mountains and our hotel. The hotel looks like a dollhouse from the top.
There is a grizzly that likes to hang around our dorms, yesterday he was taking a nap in the field behind another dorm. Tourists love seeing a bear, and will stop traffic for miles in what we call a bear jam (there are also bison jams and moose jams). The rangers are trying to route Gus (that's what I call the grizzly, the are many names for this bear) so that his trail circles the dorms, and he won't cut through the parking lots. I think he's kind of cute, and harmless, unless you threaten him.
Miss you all!
Another fun week has flown by. We had a few days of sun, but it’s been mostly wet, wet, wet.
Tuesday a few friends and I climbed Elephant Back trail for the first time. The guide book said it was an easy 2 mile hike with “sweeping views of the lake”. They were right about the sweeping views, but the hike was not easy. I would say moderate to strenuous sounds right. We took a well deserved break at the top, and gazed at the lake and the hotel, which looked like a dollhouse. On the way down I fell and hurt my knee. I blame it on my weak ankles.
Wednesday was my good friend Carrie’s birthday. We went to the marina, and hit the open water with a row boat. It’s been awhile since I rowed a boat. I couldn’t get away from the dock, and everybody was shouting at me to pull. I couldn’t row because I was laughing too hard. Daina had to take over for me. We finally made it out to the lake and just drifted. It was so nice and relaxing, not having to think about work.
Before work on Thursday, a few of us hiked to Storm Point and soaked up the sun on the big rocky shore. The sun decided to grace me with a massive sun burn that didn’t hurt until the next day. I started my new job cocktailing on Thursday. Christine, another good friend, was my trainer. The string quartet started playing that night as well, which made us quite busy. I enjoy the job, it’s not hard, and I get to meet so many nice people. Plus I get to listen to the musicians all night.
Friday was my second night of training, we were a bit slower than the night before, but I still had a good time. That night after work we went to the lodge for some drinks and sat on the front porch sipping and talking with a few co-workers. On the way back to the car, we stopped to star gaze. I have never seen the stars brighter than they were that night! And so many of them! The milkyway was also very obvious.
Saturday was my only day off this week, so Daina and I went hiking on the Lava Creek trail, which is 7 miles round trip. We didn’t park at the trailhead, so the hike down to the trail added another mile. Halfway up the trail it decided to rain, and rained on and off until we reached Undine Falls. We parked ourselves at the top and made some phone calls, because we had service. On the trek back, the rain started to fall in buckets, drenching us and the trail, which turned into a muddy mess. All we could think about was dinner, which was waiting for us at the top of a huge hill. I have never felt so exhausted in my life. My legs were screaming at me in the end.
Today is Sunday, which means a day of rest, but for me rest means church, then cleaning my room and doing laundry. Tonight is my first solo cocktail shift, but I’m really looking forward to it. Miss and love you all!
Another busy week has gone by, can’t believe it’s been a month already!
Becca’s visit was a helpful in curing homesickness. I had so much fun showing her my summer home. As soon as she came back from her visit with friends in Montana, we set off to hike Storm Point with Christina and Megan. We had a great time teasing the marmots and playing on the rocky cliff overlooking Lake Yellowstone. It’s our new favorite spot, and we have vowed to return for sunbathing and reading. On the return trek, we found bear tracks in the sand. Don’t worry, Mom, we just saw the tracks, not the bear.
Wednesday, Becca and I went to Lamar Valley, and on the drive there we saw one black bear and one grizzly bear. The grizzly was just sitting there, staring at all the tourists snapping away at their fancy cameras. I think he thought us a bit ridiculous and amusing, and sauntered off in search of something less humorous. Lamar Valley was beautiful, the sun was shinning and there were plenty of buffalo grazing. After driving back through the valley we stopped for lunch at Roosevelt Lodge. While waiting for a table, we sat by the fireplace reading Death in Yellowstone, and scared ourselves with tales of buffalo goring tourists and idiots jumping into geysers.
That evening, we got all dolled up and hit the pub for the disco, which was in full swing by the time we got there. We only stayed for a half an hour, but Becca had plenty of time to show off her “shopping cart” and “lawn mower”.
I had training for my new position on Thursday, but after that Becca and my friends Daina and Emily joined us for a few hikes. First we hiked .5 miles to Wraith Falls, then unsuccessfully tried to find the trail to Lava Creek. It was a beautiful attempt. We then hiked a short distance up Beaver Ponds trail, but after going only a mile, decided to call it a day. The hour drive back home was very interesting, we talked about God, church and life in general. It has become one of my favorite car rides.
I had to return Becca to the Jackson Hole Airport Friday morning. My roommate Dara came with us, and after leaving Becca we went into Jackson for breakfast. Jackson has quickly become my favorite little western town, complete with stagecoach rides and a five o’clock shoot out everyday. I purchased a cowboy hat, it will be needed for the rodeo in Cody in a few weeks time.
Yesterday marked the return to civilization, Bozeman, Montana! Daina, Dara and I stopped at the mall, then saw Up, which is the cutest movie I’ve seen in a long time. I recommend everybody see it. On the drive back I was struck again by the beauty that is the west. Everything is so big and awesome, you really have to see it in person to understand it.
Now for the good news, I found a church! It meets in the sunroom of the hotel and is run by a Christian organization in Yellowstone. Daina and I went to the second service today, and although it was very brief, it was still good to fellowship with other believers, if even for a short time.
Time to check my laundry. I start training this week for cocktailing, which seems to be a very easy job. Keep me in your prayers, I’m trying to be a great witness to my roommate. I’ve been sending tons of postcards lately, if you haven’t received one, I don’t have your address, so post it here for me.
Love and miss you all!
