Visitors in Yellowstone!

Cute!  They walked across the road right in front of us.

Janet and Nick came to visit me in Yellowstone last Thursday and Friday.  They arrived Wednesday and spent the night in the Old Faithful Inn and drove over to West Yellowstone to watch the Spurs play. (West Yellowstone is in Montana so they added another state to their list)

Thursday morning they met me at Fishing Bridge and we headed out.  We didn't really plan to drive the Grand Loop through the park - but we did!!!  We started out from Fishing Bridge headed to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and the Falls.  Along the way we saw bison with their babies and a bear swimming across the Yellowstone River.  It was bear day!  We saw a mama bear and her two cubs - they walked right in front of our car.  The babies wandered off into the woods but the mama stopped right by the road to eat.  Janet's window was open and she could have reached out and touched her!  A little further along we saw two more bears!!!  The most I have ever seen in a day.  We also saw lots of elk and bison with their babies.

Black bear.

Cinnamon colored bear.

at Mammoth Hot Springs

After visiting Artists Point, we drove up through the Canyon area (they rented a cabin there Thursday and Friday nights), Tower (saw the bears in this area), over Dunraven Pass (stopped for a picnic on top of the world), and to the Mammoth area.  We hiked around the Mammoth Hot Springs area.  It was only five miles to the north entrance so we headed there so they could add another entrance to their list.  Somewhere along the way we decided we would try to eat at the Old Faithful Inn so we finished our journey around the loop.  Fortunately, we got there early and were able to enjoy the prime rib buffet - and a Moose Drool!  Janet and Nick dropped me off at Fishing Bridge and headed to their cabin in Canyon.

Elephant Back - probably waiting on me:)

Picnic at Lake Overview

Friday morning Janet and Nick met me for an early breakfast in the Fishing Bridge EDR (employee dining room).  I think they were impressed!  After checking with the rangers for hikes in the area, we hiked the Elephant Back which is about 3.5-4 miles with an elevation gain of about 800 feet.  Felt like a lot more than that!  I thought I would be adjusted to the altitude - but no.  There were some "breathing breaks" but I made it.  Beautiful views from the top.  I think I need to hike with my age group from now on:)  Our next stop was West Thumb to see the geysers and walk around the boardwalk.  The ranger there suggested the Lake Overlook Trail so we took our picnic lunch and ate at the top.  Much easier hike with the elevation mainly at the end.  We passed some elk grazing in the field on the way up.

After lunch we headed over to the East Entrance in search of moose and big horn sheep.  We saw a herd of ten big horns on the way back but no moose.  We also added marmots to our list.  We ended the day with a Moose Drool and dinner at the Canyon Lodge area.  Another fun day.

  

Saturday morning Janet and Nick met me at Fishing Bridge for an early breakfast and goodbyes and then headed back through the Grand Tetons to Salt Lake City. They saw a moose in the Grand Tetons but it was a little bitter sweet - her baby had been killed by a grizzly the day before.

Gorgeous!

Big horns!

Really a fun visit!  I was amazed at all the animals we saw in two days.  Yellowstone is a beautiful place and I am having a grand adventure!!!

West Thumb/Animal Sightings

Gorgeous colors!  It was nice and warm standing here:)

It worked out that I had Monday and Tuesday off this week.  Monday I spent in the park exploring.  I drove over to West Thumb and walked on the boardwalk around the hot springs and paint pots.  It started snowing while I was there - temps were in the 30s  so no hiking for me.  The colors in some of the pools was really gorgeous.  Amazing to see the pots boiling and bubbling away.  The first elk I saw were in this area.

After I left West Thumb, I drove up to the falls area and got out for a quick look.  Still in the 30s and snowing so I'll definitely be going back to that area on a pretty day!

Falls

Big horn sheep.

Tuesday I drove to Cody to pick up some needed items, have my haircut, nails done, etc.  High maintenance!!!   It is really a gorgeous drive and I enjoyed the day.  My first bighorn sheep sighting was on my way back just inside the East Entrance.

The rest of the week I worked but took some drives to “look” for bears, etc.  So many people have been coming in the store reporting bear and wolf sightings.  One day I went with a couple of people I work with and we saw this elk. 

Elk

First grizzly I've seen!

 Sunday evening after work I drove out to the lake to make some phone calls.  A man drove by and told me there was a grizzly about a mile up the road.   Of course, I had to go see!  It is really awesome to see these animals in their natural environment.

Snow in Yellowstone

Road to Cody, WY -Sylvan Pass was closed.  This is right across
the street front he store.

On Sunday, I woke up to a winter wonderland.  We have had a lot of snow the last few days.  I started work late on Sunday so walked over to the Visitor Center to get my parking permit and took some pictures.  Most of this was melted by late afternoon but roads throughout Yellowstone were closed off and on throughout the weekend.

Behind the dorm

From Fishing Bridge - awesome in person!

After my walk, I worked a split shift from 11:30-3:15 and then from 5:45-9:30.  Monday will be my day off.  The store is very short on cashiers so we are all working an extra day while they get some more trained.

Yellowstone - First Week

After arriving at Fishing Bridge on Monday evening, Tuesday was my day off.  It gave me time to get every thing unpacked and adjust to the altitude.   Wednesday morning was my first day of work!  There have been lots of training sessions this week – POS register training, selling alcohol training, and other sessions required by DNC.  My first day alone on the register was Friday!  I passed with just a few hiccups.

We've had road closures because of snow!

Its supposed to snow through Memorial Day!

My roommate, Rose, is almost 23 and just graduated from college.  We get along great and share a huge room.  I was more worried about her and the age difference than she seems to be.  Even though she hangs out with her age group she likes some quiet time.   The food in the EDR (employee dining room) is way too good.  Scratch any thoughts of losing weight this summer.  Not only is the food great I don’t have to cook or do dishes.  My co-workers are from all across the US plus some students from the Dominican Republic.  Really a nice group of people!  I have had a great first week.

The store through the trees.

Fishing Bridge General Store is much larger than I thought it would be.  The dorm is on the second story and the EDR is in the same building.  My commute to work is to walk down the stairs.

This week we have had lots of snow in Yellowstone.  I’ll try to post pictures BUT the internet out here is slow-slow-slow.  It reminds me of the old days of dial up service.  To use my cell phone I have to drive five miles east toward Cody.

The Visitor Center is across the street.  I had to walk over and get my
parking permit this morning.  Beautiful view of the lake out the back windows.

Headed West!

After two weeks in Houston, I headed for West Yellowstone on Wednesday, May 16th.  I spent Wednesday and Thursday in Denton, TX with my childhood friend, Ann Hughes Nolen.  We had a great time!!!  I got to see her new house and we went to some great little restaurants, looked at small RVs, visited her new grandson, looked at more RVs, and ate some more!!!  Ann and another former neighbor have a vacation planned to Yellowstone in July.  What we didn't do was take pictures:)

Kay and Ned

From Denton I drove north through Oklahoma and across Kansas.  No wonder Dorothy and Toto were blown away!!!  The wind was really blowing in Kansas but I got great gas mileage.  The first day I drove 615 miles and spent the night in Kansas.  Saturday I drove a little over 700 miles and spent the night in Cody, WY.  I checked into the same hotel where Kay and Ned (Kay is co-owner of the Quilting Squares in Franklin) were staying.  They drove me around Cody and then we went to eat at Irma's.  Irma's sold Alaskan Amber so I had to have one!  My daughter Sarah works for Alaskan Brewing Company!

Sarah had a hand in this one!!

 Great town and I'll go back and explore while I am here.  Cody is the closest town to my location at Yellowstone.

Between Cody and Yellowston

Sunday morning I had to make a Walmart run before heading to West Yellowstone, MT.  My watch died!  I can't complain since I had it for over 20 years.  Replaced it with a Timex:)  It was a beautiful drive from Cody to Fishing Bridge where I'll be working.  I stopped to check it out and have lunch.   West Yellowstone was another 1.5-2 hours through the park.  Beautiful!!!  After checking into The Grey Wolf Inn, I walked across the street and went to the Imax to see "Yellowstone" and then to the Grizzly and Wolf Center to see the exhibits and animals.  Monday morning I woke up to the howling of the wolves.  Way cool!!!

I'm definitely in Wyoming!  Lots of Bison in YNP

Monday was check-in and orientation day.  After all of that was finished, I drove back to Fishing Bridge.

Packing Up!!

What can I say?  Packing was a nightmare as it always seems to be.  Amazing how much stuff one person can accumulate.  I started early so had time to cull some stuff, etc.  Everything was going into storage so it really needs to be boxed up.  Two Men and a Truck did a great job of fitting everything into my storage unit.  After the stuff was out of the townhouse, I spent some time getting it ready for the next tenant.  My deposit was refunded in full.  Yeah!!!

There were also goodbyes to be said to friends in Franklin - meals to be shared and lots of hugs, etc.

I left Franklin on Sunday, April 29th and drove to Huntsville to see Janet and Nick.  Janet and Sarah were THIRTY on May 1!!  How can that be?  Janet, Nick and I went out to eat to celebrate the big day.  I arrived in Houston on May 1 thinking I could take Doug and Leigh Anne out to celebrate Doug's 28th birthday.  He worked late but we did celebrate with some treats when he got home around 9:00.  Sarah had to make due with a phone call.

The next two weeks were spent in Houston having fun.  Saw lots of old friends - from high school buddies, former neighbors, sewing buddies, siblings, etc.  It was great.  My grandson has definitely stole my heart.  So much fun to spend time with him and watch all the changes that took place in those two weeks.

(pictures later)

My last couple of months in Franklin have been super busy.  My sister, Barbara, came for a surprise visit. We had a great time!   Everything was blooming on the Natchez Trace so we went to see on our way to the Loveless Cafe.

Cathy's Longarm Machine

 It was a little late and we missed the peak but it was still gorgeous.  We also went to some of the historical sites - Carnton House and the Loetz House.  She then spent a day with my friend, Cathy, learning about long-arm machines.

My bag's smaller:)

Jeannine and Jim

A few days after Barbara went home, Jeannine and Jim came to visit for several days.  Jeannine and I hadn't seen each other in a couple of years.  Lots of changes in both of our lives so we had lots of catching up to do.  They kept busy seeing the sites and spent one day in Nashville.  Tuesday we had breakfast at Merridee's, shopped and then headed to the Opryland Hotel and the Grand Ole Opry.  Great fun!!!


I even squeezed in a day to go to the Huntsville Botanical Gardens with Janet and two of her friends.  Gorgeous!  I loved the peonies!!

A grandson!!

Caden Chance Lionberger

 Caden Chance Lionberger was born to Leigh Anne and Doug at 12:52 a.m.  He is absolutely perfect and weighs 7 lbs 15 oz and is 21.5 inches long.  Leigh Anne and Doug drove to the hospital in pouring down rain early Saturday morning about 6 a.m. It was a long day but what a blessing they received.  A perfect little boy.  Leigh Anne and Doug both did great!!!  We are all in love!!!

Me (Gram), Doug, Caden and Leigh Anne

Me with my son, Doug, and new
grandson, Caden.
Caden is minutes old:)

Holding my new grandson for the first time!!!

Doug and Leigh Anne early
in the day.

My son, Douglas Chance Lionberger holding
his son, Caden Chance Lionberger.
I am so very lucky!!!

The proud mama!!!!

Adventure!!!

August, 2010

Its time for another adventure!!!!  Sarah found her first job in Alaska on www.coolworks.com.  They have a section for the "Older and Bolder" that I have had my eye on.  After filling out several applications, I got a call from Delaware North Companies and will be working in YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK this summer!!!  My job will be working at the retail store in Fishing Bridge Village on the east side of the park from May 21-October 1.  I feel like a college kid - I'll be living in a dorm with a meal plan - and a roommate:)  They hire lots of seasonal workers that are in my age group as well as college students so I should have lots of people to hike with, etc. on my days off.

Old Faithful, August 2010

If any of you have plans to go to Yellowstone, come see me!!  My dorm is "employee only" but there are lots of places to stay in and around Yellowstone.

I feel so lucky!!!!  Internet services aren't the greatest in the park but I hope to blog about my experiences.

. . . there is joy:)

Baby Showers!

Doug and Leigh Anne!  Don't they
look well rested:)

I've been lax on my blogging lately!  The weekend of January 13-15 I flew to Houston to attend two baby showers for Doug and Leigh Anne.  Saturday night my family had a baby shower for family and a couple of close family friends.    Cousins came in from Austin and Fort Worth and Janet flew in from Huntsville.  Such fun!  We were missing a few- Jeff, James and Jay - but we are so spread out that it is a real treat when we all get together.  Sunday afternoon Leigh Anne's family and friends had another shower.  Caden is a lucky baby!!  I think they have everything they need - and want!!!  My camera got left at Ardell's on Saturday night so I don't have pictures of the festivities on Sunday.

Unwrapping the "travel system".  Caden
will be riding in style!

Caden's First Quilt

Ardell "Nana" and Holly

Lily and Christie (Caden has two cousins
close to his age!!)

Leigh Anne is doing well and is getting great reports from her doctor.  Doug is super busy at work but will be able to take time off when Caden is born.  As for me, I'll drive over when Caden is born but am staying with Drue or Ardell (whoever will have me!!)  The new family needs time alone to bond!!!

Due date is February 18th.