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It is snowing….again. Apparently there is some kind of storm system swirling around here over the last few days and bringing us snow. We are at about 8,000 ft, and maybe snow is better than whatever is going on below us, I don’t know! Friday night and Saturday morning it snowed about 8 inches, melted, and began snowing again Saturday night. It is snowing now. The good news is, the temperatures are comfortable (even when it is in the 20’s), the snow is slushy, and we don’t have ice. The snow is heavy though, and we were without electricity on and off through the day yesterday (Saturday). And, starting sometime last night we lost cell service. I have been so happy with our Verizon service, calling and texting and internet access…last night and this morning so far, nothing. *deep sigh* Now my charge cord for my computer won’t work, hoping that maybe one of the breakers outside needs to be set. Too lazy right now to try another outlet, I will do that shortly.
For the most part, RV living in Providence (remember, the name of our RV J) us is not bad at all. We don’t feel
super squeezed together and are quite comfortable. We don’t feel like we are trapped in a box on dreary rainy or snowy days when we aren’t going somewhere or doing something outside.
I did get to go on a partial tour of the park. As part of my training, we take the Circle of Fire tour of the lower loop of the park. One of the things I will be doing is scheduling guests for tours and activities, but they haven’t started yet. And, at the time of the tour, some of the roads were closed so we jokingly called it the Arc of Fire tour. This tour highlights some of the thermal features in the mid (?) geyser basin. We went to Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic, stopped for wildlife viewing, it was a nice day, but a long time on the bus! Before we took off for the “Arc of Fire” we went on a tour of the Yellowstone Lake area to familiarize us with the area we are living and working in.
Then, I finally began training for the GSA job. For all you Clermont DD folk, I keep calling it SSA
instead of GSA, but I have to say that GSA is better!!! Anyway, the first 3 days of training I felt terrific and was ready to start work right away! The 4th day I came home in tears. I couldn’t keep up, I couldn’t remember, I couldn’t even keep up to write notes. Fortunately, it was a half day (but actually the day didn’t get too much better, more on that in a bit). Had the next day off, then went back for my final day which was pretty stressful also. Jumped right into work the next day, and actually, it was not too bad. Xanterra is good to say that every mistake can be fixed, and are really customer focused, so I like all that. I am sure my managers can’t wait until they don’t have to fix so many mistakes for me, because that just adds to their already busy day!
We’ve had some car issues, probs that existed before we left, but were not what we thought they were. So, on the day and a half I had off with Jack, we went to take care of that. Dropped a bundle of money, spent
the day in West Yellowstone waiting to hear the verdict about the Jeep, which had to be left there, and rented a car to get back home. While in West Yellowstone we went to the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center, which takes in injured animals or those that must be removed due to their behavior. The have grizzlies, wolves (obviously) and birds of prey. So, these lovely close up photos unfortunately were not taken in the wild! We also went to the Imax theatre to see a documentary about the history of Yellowstone.
Speaking of wildlife, we have been hoping and hoping to see some moose, but there aren’t many in the park. We were so excited as we drove from West Yellowstone toward Bozeman in the Gallatin (?) National Forest and there was a moose! Saw another on the way back as well, but didn’t get its pic. Neither of them were very large (in moose terms, I guess), and can’t wait to see one with huge antlers. Elk too, none of them have antlers yet.
There are a few grizzlies that live in the area. One is a mother with 2 cubs.
Bear watchers say she is called Blaze and is like 24 years old. She has been sighted in the area all around the Lerv (where we live), and we got pics of her and the cubs. That was May 5, I remember, as we had enchiladas for dinner with our friends Craig and Martha for Cinco de Mayo. Ken and Sandy stopped by for a bit also. Martha, Sandy, and I work together, and Jack, Craig, and Ken are all in maintenance. Anyway, about Blaze, once word got out that she frequented the area, dozens of vehicles showed up along side the road for like 3 days waiting for her to come back. Every day, people would just be sitting in their cars, or standing around chatting ALL DAY LONG hoping to see her. It is crazy! Now, I will check at the visitor center to see what has been sighted and where, and will go to that location, but not to sit all day and wait!
It is getting to be baby time, so one of the reasons Blaze is so popular is because of her cubs. The big male in the area doesn’t get as
much attention. Baby bison are a big draw now too. They call them “red dogs” here for some reason, and they are cute as can be (and red). We’ve been stuck in some “bison jams” for people stopping to see the babies.
Today is Sunday and Jack has already left for work, I don’t go in until 2:30 (4:30 for most of you). I’m a little sad that a) we have to work on Sunday and b) we really haven’t found a place to worship. Been trying to search and see what our options are, but there is not much. Really desiring some Christian fellowship, so appreciate your prayers for that! It is just amazing here, and everywhere I turn I can see God in His majesty, from the towering strong mountains to the gentle valleys, from the wrath and desolation of the bubbling, sulfer smell of the hot springs and geyers, every aspect of this park shows an attribute of God. I am amazed and awed and overwhelmed by it. There are many here who “worship the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever” (Romans 1:25). Some folks come here year after year after
year, or live in the park year round. They are completely devoted to this park. They see the marvelous creation, but not the Creator who spoke it all into existence. That Creator then formed us with His hands from the dust of the ground, breathed in us the breath of life, and gave us a soul. He gave us a charge to have dominion over, to take care of His creation, but we have forgotten He who gave it! I guess that happens everywhere, but it seems so clear to me here. I don’t mean to judge anyone, I am only sad because there is a greater picture that I long to share and haven’t had an opportunity to do so. Well, except with Jack and all y’all!
PLC praise team, you are starting service about now, I will be singing with you…maybe a different song, but that is ok! Love and miss you!
I hope it doesn’t take long to get cell service restored so I can upload (download, whatever it is) my pictures to my computer and get this update entered. I guess you will know by the difference in time between
5-17 and whenever you read this! Much love from Yellowstone!!! Can’t wait until some of you venture out this way!
PS will add Grizzly and Wolf Discovery photos later. Running out of time today!
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