yellowstone diary...and beyond

I was suppose to go on a hike today, but the ringleader canceled out.  There are still a few trails in this area I haven't been on yet, but I didn't go today.  I did sign up for a trip to Jackson Hole area and another trip to a Pow-wow in Cody.  the Jackson Hole trip is basically a shopping trip, but a few of us from Obsidian are going together and making it a girls day out.  As for the Pow-wow, I've been told it is the real deal and well worth making the time to go.  It is in Cody.  Last night was a beautifully clear night with the Milky Way quite visible.  I didn't see it, but I heard it was great.  They turn out the lights in most of the parking areas to make it even better. Attached are some photos from yesterday's hike.  As Than said, I could tell you they are from anytime as the trees never change here.  The majority of the forest is Pole Pines.  I did see a Yellow-bellied Marmot, but truth be told, I only knew it because folks along the trail saw it and l

I had the day off today and it was a beautiful day.  Bright and sunny, perhaps 50 degree or so.  I took a hike to Morning Glory Pool.  It's about a 3 mile hike, but it took me about 2 1/2 hours to do it.  Many stops along the way for photos and chit-chat and rest.  Brenda made me take her bear spray, so I felt like a real hiker. All the photos don't do the Pool justice.  it is just magnificent. I had dinner with my new roomie, Rose.  She really seems nice and quite normal.  To be fair, only 2 of my roomie were less than normal, the other 2 were fine.  She is twice divorced and has 5 kids and 7 grandkids and a dog.  Retired, but is self employed as a notary.  She'll be here for 5 months. Morning Glory Pool and again And again e

Yepper, I have another roommate. Her name is Rose and she's from Northern California.  She's in her 60's, I'm guessing and it's her first time working at Yellowstone.  She just arrived and the crew from the lounge is filling her in and trying to make her comfortable.  She seems nice.  Again, another one who says she's here to stay.  Maybe 5 is a charm. Today, (Tuesday) is my Friday, as I have the next 2 days off.  Wayne, Jasmine and I are going hiking on Thursday.  Jasmine is actually the real hiker of the group and has some definite suggestions about where we will go. Wayne is also going to West Yellowstone tomorrow and swears he'll find me a real italian hoagie.  I have been craving one for weeks now. Work has been intense, to say the least.  It has been very,very busy with lines going out the door. We also have a lot of new kids so the routine isn't going as smooth as it could.  Some of the "older" meaning working there longer than a mon

I'm sitting in the Obsidian lounge listening to a rather confusing conversation about MTV and somehow, I came up with a name, Samantha Fox.  I only vaguely aware that MTV was around in the 80's, probably from my kids watching it.  it's just funny the way something jogs one's memory, isn't it?  One of the guys is now playing Ray Stevens with the song about Margaret,  "It's me Margaret"  whatever the actual name is, I don't know. Today at work was busy.  I'm told to expect it to stay this way through Labor Day, although I will be leaving before then.  I actually was late because I couldn't get into the Post Office until 11 AM and I knew I had a package of papers and stuff from Mel.  They are rather cool about stuff like that. Actually, they were happy that I showed up at all.  Many of the kids don't bother to show up or call off. I had some of the best bar-b-que ribs tonight at the EDR (employee Dining room).  I think I ate a full set

I think I'm getting to see more movies here in one month than I have at home in one year.  Since I usually have evening off, it works out well.  There is a movie at the Rec Center on some Monday nights, and there are nature talks-I think they have a nicer, friendlier term at the Rec Center.  I saw one on bears, there is one coming up on native plants and one on cougars--the animals not the human kind.  Although there's nothing wrong with that. Work is going well.  We get really busy at times and the lines go to the door.  The tables are all full, and customers get antsy.  We have a lot of new people working there, all under 22.  One of the older (maybe 35) guys calls me Mom.  I slap him with a wet towel.  Not really.  It's almost a game to see who will still be there in 2 weeks.  We are losing our assistant manager,  Gary, due to family emergency.  We lost our other assistant manager due to stupidity, although probably a better term was used before he was terminated about

I finally did the hike to Observation Point.  it really was worth the hike.  I tried, successfully, to time my hike to coincide with Old Faithful eruption.  These are just some neat pictures along the way. Also, there was and ice cream social in our rec room/lounge this evening, maybe 18 to 20 people.  As luck has it, I actually missed the meeting, arriving just as everyone was clapping for the little speech our RC, Residential Coordinator just finished..  Of course, I took advantage of the clapping, bowing and giving my Princess wave.  That was well received by the group. The road to Observation Point Rustic walkways View along the way Old Faithful from Observation Point view along the way  Another geyser, don't know the name Crazy hikers 1/2 of the way up Neat rocks More of old faithful More neat rocks along the way