http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from North America , United States , Wyoming en-us Sat, 26 Jul 2008 07:59:32 BST Sat, 26 Jul 2008 07:59:32 BST We've been staying in the Grand Teton National Park the last four nights without internet access so we've been out of touch with getting updates on the blog.We stayed two nights at Flagg Ranch and two nights at Colter Bay. The second campground was right near Jackson Lake with fantastic views of the Teton's. The Tetons are just breathtaking and unlike any mountains we've ever seen We've don http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Yellowstone-National-Park/blog-304205.html We have been away from the internet for the last few days and thus unable to update you on our sojourns. Basically this is a teaser blog just to let you know that we are a alivewell b planning on updating with more relevant info soon. Its just a little tough without the net close at hand. Basically we are in Vedauwoo WY fat crack country to those who climb and its really nice. Wyoming has be http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Cheyenne/blog-304190.html Devils Tower National LandmarkWe arrived here about 4pm after settig up the trailer went up to the tower. We ate a picnic lunch that Misti made and then hiked around the tower. Laurel was pushed in her stroller and Adam hiked the whole way by himself. Quite a feat for a five year old in 100F temperatures. We all were impressed by devils tower but Adam almost seemed drawn to it. The night ended w http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Devils-Tower-National-Monument/blog-303449.html Camping I the Big Horn Mountains We loved the campsite and the lake in the mountains. The site was at 8332 feet you gain app 5000ft of it in the last 30 miles going to the camp ground. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Sheridan/blog-303440.html Further ensconced in YellowstoneCanyon Campground Grand Canyon of The Yellowstone Fishing Bridge CampgroundToday we are going to visit the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. This is not to be confused with the Grand Canyon that is in Arizona as this canyon is nowhere near as ldquograndrdquo. Although it is still a sight to behold. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is a large canyon of t http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Yellowstone-National-Park/blog-302548.html Today I had to work from 7am until 3. I came all the way to West Yellowstone to update this and Irsquoll probably walk around town afterwards. I took a lot of pictures of the area where I live and the drive to West Yellowstone. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Yellowstone-National-Park/blog-302496.html July 17thToday was an awesome day. It was employee appreciation day On Employee Appreciation Day Xanterra the company we work for does all sorts of nice stuff for us. On EA Day the company doesnrsquot charge us for room and board. They also serve us a fancy dinner. The dinner was prime rib chicken shrimp etc etc and CHEESECAKE Yay When I got off work I went to the Employee Appreci http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Yellowstone-National-Park/blog-302492.html Wednesday was my 2nd day off. I was supposed to go to Bozeman the nearest large city with Britani and Brian but Britani was detained in West Yellowstone. Brian and I decided to go on anyway because we both wanted to see WallE We had to leave pretty early 8am haha so we could make it to town and back in time for the Yellowstone Talent Show. The drive took almost 2 hours because of the speed http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Yellowstone-National-Park/blog-302491.html Aisha and I were here at the internet shop for almost 4 hours After we had finished up everything we went to a restaurant called The Timberline Caf. Itrsquos a small little place with interesting dcor taxidermy bears and a mom and pop feel. Aisha and I were starving so we both had our first Bison Burger ever It was sooooo yummy. We even had real Idaho potato french fries to accompany it http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Yellowstone-National-Park/blog-302489.html We took a cruise and that was about it.The mosquitos were very active again. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Yellowstone-National-Park/blog-301828.html We went to several points around Canyon Village and had a great hike to the Lower Falls. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Yellowstone-National-Park/blog-301826.html Our first full day at Yellowstone had as going to see Old Faithful and the other geysers. Took a nice 70 mile loop through the lower half of the park. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Yellowstone-National-Park/blog-301821.html We havent had any post lately due to no cell service or internet availability. Sorry. The joy of being FREE.We left Jackson around 10 AM and headed for Yellowstone through Grand Teton NP. A great drive. You can see an almost complete family shot by Lake Jackson at Coltier Bay.Fishing Bridge Campground was not so nice but had full hookups and supposedly bears so I guess it was worth it. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Jackson/blog-301820.html This is the first chance I have had to update the blog. As it is horribly slow I am going to do just a single entry. Oddly I have cell service at our campground. I am sitting next to Jackson Lake in the Lizard Creek Campground within Grand Teton National Park. I am connected using my cell phone as a modem. Photos are being troublesome. I have tons to upload and I as I get them they will be here http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/blog-301602.html HelloSo again a quick update time is so limited always and i'm trying to get my photos up. Anyone who's texted me lately i have no signal i'm afraid and may not have for over a week. Since my last entry I spent a day in Chicago went up the Sears tower did a boat ride saw Navy Pier and a few parks watched a crazy australian acrobatic show went up the John Hancock observation deck and saw the http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Yellowstone-National-Park/blog-301247.html Friday July 11 2008Driggs WY to Rawlins WYToday we start our trek home. Before leaving Teton Valley we stop at the Wildlife Art Museum. While I am parking Donna spots an eagle and a hawk in the distance. The hawk lighter and quicker than the eagle climbs above the eagle and dives into it repeatedly. The eagle fights off the hawk until the pair is far out of sight. She is very disappoi http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Grand-Teton-National-Park/blog-300336.html An early start it was today as had a big day planned.I left the camp in the shiny new stead heading east for Jackson Wyoming through a picturesque valley following the snake river as it snaked serpentine like through the valley.Enough of that.....Cutting off onto some back roads now that I have the confidence that I won't be stranded on them with a pile of oil leaking nuts and bolts I entered the http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Yellowstone-National-Park/blog-300324.html One of my favorite aspects of the interview process for this job was the following quote from my soontobeboss. He was describing to me what I should bring for my three month term here and said the followingldquoSo in terms of what to bring. . .you can bring your kayak but just so you know pretty much everyone brings a kayak. If you didnrsquot want to bring yours you can always just bo http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Grand-Teton-National-Park/blog-300309.html Most of the people who work in Grand Teton are very friendly and fun to hang out with. As you may expect there is a lot of socializing that goes on here and many informal gettogethers for people to spend time together outside of work and get to know their coworkers and employees in other departments. During the first weekend here Molly and I were a bit cut off from this social life of Grand T http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Grand-Teton-National-Park/blog-300307.html My roommate Molly and I started to cook together and make extra for lunches and future dinners. We work late on different nights so usually whoever is home will make dinner so that the other one can eat right when they get home sometimes we donrsquot get back til 9pm so it is nice to have dinner waiting. Molly has adopted cooking and baking as her new hobby so she has embarked on a few d http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Grand-Teton-National-Park/blog-300305.html This morning I slept in considerably after my long day and late night the day before. I had planned to go hiking with my friend Andrew but by the time I was awake ate a leisurely breakfast and got all of my things together it was about 3pm. Luckily the days here are long and since Summer Solstice is coming up it doesnrsquot get dark here til nearly 10. So we decided that we could still http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Grand-Teton-National-Park/blog-300300.html Wednesday July 9 2008 Driggs IDGrant Teton National ParkThursday July 10 2008 Driggs IDGrand Teton National ParkYellowstone National Park South Entrance and West ThumbWe crossed Teton Pass at more than 9000 foot elevation and twisted and turned our way down to Wilson WY. Wilson is a very small town at the base of the Grand Tetons and just south of the famous Jackson Hole and Teton Villag http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Grand-Teton-National-Park/blog-300296.html Today is my day off Yes I slept in and Aaliyah woke me up so I wouldn't miss lunch. I wish I had missed it because it was gross. Yuck After lunch Aaliyah asked me a bunch of questions about the American Educational System because her major in Taiwan is Comparative Education. Then Aisha got off work and we drove to West Yellowstone for the lovely internet provided by SendItHome. Later we a http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Yellowstone-National-Park/blog-300286.html July 10thI donrsquot really remember much from the 10th. I woke up to a loud bang. When I left my room to take a shower I ran into my neighbor. He asked me if I had heard the noise and I said I did. Turns out the bang was him falling off his top bunk and landing on his dresser Other than that I know I went to work lol. July 11thToday the package from mom came Thanks so much for the blankets http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Yellowstone-National-Park/blog-300284.html Today I woke up and went back to the nasty post office to mail some letters. I also had a real meal at the geyser grill and actually got to read a newspaper I tried to do an awesome hike later in the day but I did not budget my time wisely enough so I had to turn back before finishing the hike. I will conquer it later though When I got back from the hike I went with Aisha to a Ranger Talk an http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Yellowstone-National-Park/blog-300282.html I got a new book today on the geologic processes of Yellowstone. It is super cool and helps me understand more of what I am looking at in the landscape. The 8th was my second day off and I slept in a gloriously long time. I took a walk around the Old Faithful Village so I would know more about the area when I am talking with guests. I stopped by the post office. I donrsquot really like it. T http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Yellowstone-National-Park/blog-300276.html One of my goals for my time out here in Grand Teton is to become a bit more ldquooutdoorsy.rdquo I do like hiking and being outdoors but I donrsquot really camp and have never been backpacking. So I am hoping to change that and become a little more outdoor savvy while I am here. Part of my effort to become a bit more outdoor savvy is taking a class offered by Exum Mountain Guides that t http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Grand-Teton-National-Park/blog-300275.html Today I had another 615 to 230 shift. I was 3 minutes latehellip..and apparently it DOES matter. Lateness aside my cash drawer came up even today After work I went to the recreation center and joined the 100 mile hike club and the Yellowstone degree program. I have about 15 miles to count towards my 100 and I try to add a few miles every week. The Yellowstone Degree Program is a club wher http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Yellowstone-National-Park/blog-300265.html Today was a bit of a bummer I had my first day on the cash drawer and came up a dollar over. After work I tried to take a nap because I had worked the 6am to 230pm shift but I couldnrsquot fall asleep So I tried to paint and knit out on the back porch of my dorm. When I went back to my room I discovered I had locked myself out I had to wait for security because I wasnrsquot wearing shoe http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Yellowstone-National-Park/blog-300262.html