Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Many Amazing Animals
The end of another work week and now three days off ! YAY !! We have talked with many 'vacationers' the last four days. Things like, " How long does it take to see the entire park?". (Yellowstone has 2.2 million acres which is larger than the states of Rhode Island & Delaware combined...how long would it take to see all of that ? ) "Where are the bears?". (Anywhere). "Are there things for kids to do?"(Yes, lots) "Which way to Old Faithful", (Thirty miles that way). "Is it flooding there?" (We're at 6500 ft elevation and everything runs downhill!) Needless to say a few days away will feel good.
Everyone coming to Yellowstone wants to see as many animals as possible during their stay. We are no different and go into the Park whenever we get a chance. The 14 miles from West to Madison Campground usually allows us to watch eagles, elk and buffalo. The snow on the higher mountains is melting and many rivers are flooding causing the meadows to become very shallow lakes. This moves the animals to the more off-road locations and makes them less accessable to viewing.
We packed a lunch and set off to see animals that were not in the usual settings and take the perfect photos. I was really in that mind-set and scoured the landscape hoping for SOMETHING to present itself. Well, be careful what you wish for because to my surprise of all the animals we saw and there were many, bear, elk, buffalo, pronghorn antelope and even the elusive badger, the one that continually amazed me was the Human animal!
I don't know why I found that odd ! We pulled over at a "jam" (cars that have stopped to view a particular animal and ties the traffic up for miles) and a nice gentleman told us they saw a mother grizzly with her cub a few yards away. Our binoculars are out and we finally do find where the bears are...but it's difficult to see them, there is a large boulder blocking part of our view. There must have been 50-60 people all watching but the thing that really stuck out were the scopes and camera lens' all pointed at that boulder ! Each lens had to be anywhere from 6" - 24" long and some were up to 8" across There had to be at least 35 of them just where we were!
My perspective changed. I began to listen and watch this Human animal and found them most amusing. I talked with a man who watched and photographed a badger and pronghorn antelope for 10 hours! (I could only imagine his wife sent him out for the day and he wasn't to go back till nightfall!) Norm stopped at a turn out to look at a mother buffalo nurse her newborn and a carload of people pulled right in front of our car, blocking us. Buffalo are often lumbering down the road and someone will honk and try to pass them. We saw a man taking close-up pictures of an already irritated buffalo, only to have it jump over his SUV, damaging the hood but making a clean escape ! Families are so intent on "enjoying" the perfect vacation... you can hear Dad yelling at the kids . Kids don't want to stand still and have another picture taken and Mom is frustrated with the whole thing.
My favorite, though, is my own Husband. He will find the most remote spot (with nothing in particular to see) walk out to the edge of the field with his camera and binoculars, scan the landscape.. just to see how many cars and people he can get to pull over ! He gets such a thrill at this! I have said it many, many times...Everyday with this man is an adventure!
If I can figure out how to post pictures here I'll post them to prove my point.
"EXPLORE WITH-IN...BUT VENTURE OUT !!
Everyone coming to Yellowstone wants to see as many animals as possible during their stay. We are no different and go into the Park whenever we get a chance. The 14 miles from West to Madison Campground usually allows us to watch eagles, elk and buffalo. The snow on the higher mountains is melting and many rivers are flooding causing the meadows to become very shallow lakes. This moves the animals to the more off-road locations and makes them less accessable to viewing.
We packed a lunch and set off to see animals that were not in the usual settings and take the perfect photos. I was really in that mind-set and scoured the landscape hoping for SOMETHING to present itself. Well, be careful what you wish for because to my surprise of all the animals we saw and there were many, bear, elk, buffalo, pronghorn antelope and even the elusive badger, the one that continually amazed me was the Human animal!
I don't know why I found that odd ! We pulled over at a "jam" (cars that have stopped to view a particular animal and ties the traffic up for miles) and a nice gentleman told us they saw a mother grizzly with her cub a few yards away. Our binoculars are out and we finally do find where the bears are...but it's difficult to see them, there is a large boulder blocking part of our view. There must have been 50-60 people all watching but the thing that really stuck out were the scopes and camera lens' all pointed at that boulder ! Each lens had to be anywhere from 6" - 24" long and some were up to 8" across There had to be at least 35 of them just where we were!
My perspective changed. I began to listen and watch this Human animal and found them most amusing. I talked with a man who watched and photographed a badger and pronghorn antelope for 10 hours! (I could only imagine his wife sent him out for the day and he wasn't to go back till nightfall!) Norm stopped at a turn out to look at a mother buffalo nurse her newborn and a carload of people pulled right in front of our car, blocking us. Buffalo are often lumbering down the road and someone will honk and try to pass them. We saw a man taking close-up pictures of an already irritated buffalo, only to have it jump over his SUV, damaging the hood but making a clean escape ! Families are so intent on "enjoying" the perfect vacation... you can hear Dad yelling at the kids . Kids don't want to stand still and have another picture taken and Mom is frustrated with the whole thing.
My favorite, though, is my own Husband. He will find the most remote spot (with nothing in particular to see) walk out to the edge of the field with his camera and binoculars, scan the landscape.. just to see how many cars and people he can get to pull over ! He gets such a thrill at this! I have said it many, many times...Everyday with this man is an adventure!
If I can figure out how to post pictures here I'll post them to prove my point.
"EXPLORE WITH-IN...BUT VENTURE OUT !!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Our first official Workamper experience is taking place at Grizzly RV Park in West Yellowstone, MT. Upon our arrival, the third week of May, we were both ready to turn around and return to the Coast. Four feet of snow greeted us, daytime temperatures in the 30's, and nighttime temperatures in the teens. No siree...this is not what we signed up for!
Seven couples are hired each season and we live in this Park. The schedules are the same each week and we have three consecutive days off. The guys do outside maintainence and the girls are in the Office taking reservations, checking folks in to the Park and doing retail in the store. There is little training for the guys, they just do yardwork and keep the grounds looking fabulous. The girls must learn to work the computer program, "Campground Manager" and their retail program. It has taken me two weeks to feel some-what confident. I have managed to make just about every Boo-Boo there is but our Manager, Brenda, says there's nothing that can't be fixed. She's GREAT !!
Our first week was not fun. Being the newest couple, Norm had to establish his place with the guys. Three of them are returnee's. They gave him most of the 'grunt' work and it was pretty physical. After two weeks, Norm does his own thing and the guys ask him what should be done next. He's a great delegator ! Then, of course, the weather has played it's part. Cold with snow! Not sure we're going to continue with this.
The weather has started to warm up (to the mid 40's) so we drove into Yellowstone Park. The entrance is about 6 blocks from here. Lots of Bison and Elk even though the snow is melting and causing the Madison River to overflow it's banks and flood parts of the meadows. It was evening and Norm stopped at a pull-out to watch the herds. As we scanned the area, an Elk came within about 100 yds from us and birthed her baby! Talk about an incredible sight, WOW !! Hard to top this !! She nuzzled it, it got to his feet and wobbled for awhile, nursed breifly then jumped around in the grass. Mom walked off a short distance and grazed on some new grass shoots, looked at baby and seemed content that Jr had finally curled up in the tall weeds.
The sun began going down so we packed up to head back. OMG ! The entire road was full of groups of Bison and their babies. Baby Bison are a reddish color similar to an Irish Setter and are called 'Red Dogs' by the locals. We watched as they meandered toward the fresh grasses near the Madison Campground. Each group had about 15 to 30 bison. It took us an hour to go 7 miles !
Our second week of work was a bit better than the first. Each day the temperatures would warm. We finally had a few days in the high 60's and low 70's. My computer skills are improving and so far I haven't put two rigs in the same spot. I am having to bone up on my knowledge of the Park though. Guests are asking all kinds of questions and I.m trying to give accurate answers. (Although, sometimes I've had to wing it !) A lady asked me the other day "When do they let the animals out so people could see them?" Another asked, "When was the last time for Old Faithful to erupt in the evening?", as they didn't want to miss it . And still another, "Do the geysers go off all year?".
Yesterday, on our day off, we drove to the Mammoth area and out to the Lamar Valley. This is Norm's favorite place to fly-fish. Right now, the river is too high so he has been fishing on the Madison and Firehole Rivers. We were lucky enough to see three grizzly bears in the area and a momma grizzly with two cubs near the Roosevelt area. Really is spectacular to observe them on their own turf! On our way along the Madison River a large brown furry object caught our eye. Sitting in the water near the bank was a huge beaver gnawing at the base of a pine tree about 8-10 inches across. We pulled the car over and watched him chew through that tree! It fell with a loud splash into the water. Again, it was a sight we have never seen before! Incredible !
So very much to see and experience here in Yellowstone. Work is still work, but the days we have off to go out and play are worth it. I'll try to relate more of our adventures as the weeks progress. Let me know how I'm doing, OK ?
Seven couples are hired each season and we live in this Park. The schedules are the same each week and we have three consecutive days off. The guys do outside maintainence and the girls are in the Office taking reservations, checking folks in to the Park and doing retail in the store. There is little training for the guys, they just do yardwork and keep the grounds looking fabulous. The girls must learn to work the computer program, "Campground Manager" and their retail program. It has taken me two weeks to feel some-what confident. I have managed to make just about every Boo-Boo there is but our Manager, Brenda, says there's nothing that can't be fixed. She's GREAT !!
Our first week was not fun. Being the newest couple, Norm had to establish his place with the guys. Three of them are returnee's. They gave him most of the 'grunt' work and it was pretty physical. After two weeks, Norm does his own thing and the guys ask him what should be done next. He's a great delegator ! Then, of course, the weather has played it's part. Cold with snow! Not sure we're going to continue with this.
The weather has started to warm up (to the mid 40's) so we drove into Yellowstone Park. The entrance is about 6 blocks from here. Lots of Bison and Elk even though the snow is melting and causing the Madison River to overflow it's banks and flood parts of the meadows. It was evening and Norm stopped at a pull-out to watch the herds. As we scanned the area, an Elk came within about 100 yds from us and birthed her baby! Talk about an incredible sight, WOW !! Hard to top this !! She nuzzled it, it got to his feet and wobbled for awhile, nursed breifly then jumped around in the grass. Mom walked off a short distance and grazed on some new grass shoots, looked at baby and seemed content that Jr had finally curled up in the tall weeds.
The sun began going down so we packed up to head back. OMG ! The entire road was full of groups of Bison and their babies. Baby Bison are a reddish color similar to an Irish Setter and are called 'Red Dogs' by the locals. We watched as they meandered toward the fresh grasses near the Madison Campground. Each group had about 15 to 30 bison. It took us an hour to go 7 miles !
Our second week of work was a bit better than the first. Each day the temperatures would warm. We finally had a few days in the high 60's and low 70's. My computer skills are improving and so far I haven't put two rigs in the same spot. I am having to bone up on my knowledge of the Park though. Guests are asking all kinds of questions and I.m trying to give accurate answers. (Although, sometimes I've had to wing it !) A lady asked me the other day "When do they let the animals out so people could see them?" Another asked, "When was the last time for Old Faithful to erupt in the evening?", as they didn't want to miss it . And still another, "Do the geysers go off all year?".
Yesterday, on our day off, we drove to the Mammoth area and out to the Lamar Valley. This is Norm's favorite place to fly-fish. Right now, the river is too high so he has been fishing on the Madison and Firehole Rivers. We were lucky enough to see three grizzly bears in the area and a momma grizzly with two cubs near the Roosevelt area. Really is spectacular to observe them on their own turf! On our way along the Madison River a large brown furry object caught our eye. Sitting in the water near the bank was a huge beaver gnawing at the base of a pine tree about 8-10 inches across. We pulled the car over and watched him chew through that tree! It fell with a loud splash into the water. Again, it was a sight we have never seen before! Incredible !
So very much to see and experience here in Yellowstone. Work is still work, but the days we have off to go out and play are worth it. I'll try to relate more of our adventures as the weeks progress. Let me know how I'm doing, OK ?
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Starting Over.......again !
How many times in our lives do we "start over" ? I believe it's many.
Change can be tough, but, I think it keeps us from becoming stagnant and lazy. Change throws things in front of us that keep our bodies and minds active and creative. Change is our friend.
We happen to be starting over, again. New jobs, new area, new expectations and challenges.
Last evening, we drove into YNP. It's 14 miles from West Yellowstone to the first intersection at Madison Campground. Snow covers much of the ground but the meadows that flank both sides of the Madison River are beginning to emerge with patches of green. We observe small groups of shaggy elk trying to graze on the limited grasses. They don't seem to be bothered that we are there, clicking our cameras, in the hope of catching that perfect photo.
Farther down the river is a herd of several Bison, still in their winter coats. They, too, are pushing clumps of snow around to feed on the new shoots underneath. Looking closer we can see small reddish colored forms laying in 'rubs'. Baby calves ! The locals call them "red dogs".
Geese float, in pairs, down the swollen river. Behind them are eight fluffy little yellow goslings paddling in single file.
It is somehow comforting to know we are not the only ones "starting over". Watching this entire area un-fold and break free of winter's hold shows how everything around us has their own expectations and challenges.
We are so fortunate to be a part of all this. Our dream of living a more simplified lifestyle, connecting with the outdoors and being in an area we love has been realized !
Change can be amazing........and "Life is Good" !!! :))
Change can be tough, but, I think it keeps us from becoming stagnant and lazy. Change throws things in front of us that keep our bodies and minds active and creative. Change is our friend.
We happen to be starting over, again. New jobs, new area, new expectations and challenges.
Last evening, we drove into YNP. It's 14 miles from West Yellowstone to the first intersection at Madison Campground. Snow covers much of the ground but the meadows that flank both sides of the Madison River are beginning to emerge with patches of green. We observe small groups of shaggy elk trying to graze on the limited grasses. They don't seem to be bothered that we are there, clicking our cameras, in the hope of catching that perfect photo.
Farther down the river is a herd of several Bison, still in their winter coats. They, too, are pushing clumps of snow around to feed on the new shoots underneath. Looking closer we can see small reddish colored forms laying in 'rubs'. Baby calves ! The locals call them "red dogs".
Geese float, in pairs, down the swollen river. Behind them are eight fluffy little yellow goslings paddling in single file.
It is somehow comforting to know we are not the only ones "starting over". Watching this entire area un-fold and break free of winter's hold shows how everything around us has their own expectations and challenges.
We are so fortunate to be a part of all this. Our dream of living a more simplified lifestyle, connecting with the outdoors and being in an area we love has been realized !
Change can be amazing........and "Life is Good" !!! :))
Monday, May 9, 2011
"Friends"
Most of our "Details" are now worked out and we are able to sit with the morning sun, warm on our faces and reflect on the things and people that got us here. We have talked about traveling in our Motorhome for so many years but it was always, someday, in the future. Many of our friends were inspired by our idea's and stories and decided it was a great life-style, so they bought a rig and off they went...living our dream!
Today, we find ourselves "here" . We looked at each other and at the same time said, "Well, what do we do now?!" Laughing, the obvious answer was...Whatever we want ! This really is the start of a new adventure!
Norm got his camera out and we downloaded some pictures of friends we left behind in Lk Pleasant RV Park in Bothell. Having lived there for nearly 14 years we got to know a few of the full-timer's pretty well. The managers, Jeff & Sandy, & the assist. manager's Ron & Bonita are second to none in their jobs. Helpful, eager to please, and always full of it (that would be Ron), we enjoyed the stories and bantor that was readily exchanged.
Patty, is quite the personality! She knows everything that goes on in the Park and LOVES to tease Norm. She has professed to be "the Queen of Harrassment" and regularly does what she can to prove it!
Norm's Mom is also in Bothell, and it was difficult to see how much she will miss having us so close. She is strong, though, and has her daughter near-by.
We watched a new couple move in next door. They are brand new to RVing! Know how we can tell?...they are yelling at each other and neither of them can hear the other, but everyone else here can! OMG... they are backing their 5th wheel onto the grass! (Supposed to stay on the asphalt guys!) Aaaahhhhh....remember when we were new...soo long ago.
Spent the evening getting acquainted and answering sooo many of their questions. We could see how overwhelmed they were by the dazed looks in their eyes. Or was that all the wine we drank! Hmmm.
As slumber started to overtake us that night we listened to a serenade of yips and howls by the local coyotes. It was almost eerie but at the same time melodious. Such a wonderful way to fall asleep!
Remembering that we will be meeting so many new friends on our travels, and keeping in touch with ALL our friends makes leaving easier. WE e expect to see many of them "on the road" sometime soon!
Today, we find ourselves "here" . We looked at each other and at the same time said, "Well, what do we do now?!" Laughing, the obvious answer was...Whatever we want ! This really is the start of a new adventure!
Norm got his camera out and we downloaded some pictures of friends we left behind in Lk Pleasant RV Park in Bothell. Having lived there for nearly 14 years we got to know a few of the full-timer's pretty well. The managers, Jeff & Sandy, & the assist. manager's Ron & Bonita are second to none in their jobs. Helpful, eager to please, and always full of it (that would be Ron), we enjoyed the stories and bantor that was readily exchanged.
Patty, is quite the personality! She knows everything that goes on in the Park and LOVES to tease Norm. She has professed to be "the Queen of Harrassment" and regularly does what she can to prove it!
Norm's Mom is also in Bothell, and it was difficult to see how much she will miss having us so close. She is strong, though, and has her daughter near-by.
We watched a new couple move in next door. They are brand new to RVing! Know how we can tell?...they are yelling at each other and neither of them can hear the other, but everyone else here can! OMG... they are backing their 5th wheel onto the grass! (Supposed to stay on the asphalt guys!) Aaaahhhhh....remember when we were new...soo long ago.
Spent the evening getting acquainted and answering sooo many of their questions. We could see how overwhelmed they were by the dazed looks in their eyes. Or was that all the wine we drank! Hmmm.
As slumber started to overtake us that night we listened to a serenade of yips and howls by the local coyotes. It was almost eerie but at the same time melodious. Such a wonderful way to fall asleep!
Remembering that we will be meeting so many new friends on our travels, and keeping in touch with ALL our friends makes leaving easier. WE e expect to see many of them "on the road" sometime soon!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
RETIREMENT !!
When I was little, my perception of retirement was "old" people sitting on their porch in rocking chairs without a care in the world. My Grandparents did that alot! Of course, I had no idea what went into getting there.
As I grew older, retirement was synonomous with, don't ever have to work again and not a care in the world. It was alot of working years, children, older parents,and dreaming that we finally realize our goal of retirement.
These last few weeks of filling out oodles of paperwork to ensure all the agencies, School District, Social Security, Medical Parts A, B through XYZ, regular medical, dental and optical are all in sync with each other. (Which they are NOT, unless you make sure all your paperwork is in with all dates that correspond, and all the I's are dotted and T's crossed.) Whew !
Now then, add to all this, we are leaving the area in the coldest, wettest April in recorded history to go East.
West Yellowstone still has 3-4 ft. of snow on the ground, with daytime temps running just above freezing and nightime temps running in the low teens. BRRRR. We are supposed to be there in a week or so to begin workamping.
We made it all the way to Issaquah on I-90 when Norm noticed the Jeep, we are towing, is showing up on his passenger side mirrors. This is a bad thing! The tow bar had snapped a spring and wouldn't lock in the fixed position. Okay ! No time to turn around so guess we drive the Jeep til we can get the towbar fixed.
The drive to Missoula was long but the roads were dry, for the most part, and it was easy to get this far. I was frankly amazed at how nice it was to be alone for all that time with the radio cranked WAY up to my kind of tunes. BLISS !!
Missoula did have some snow on the ground. The weather report was for more snow sprinkles but not much sticking to the road. We can do this. Norm called the Montana DOT and they told him road conditions just East of Butte, MT. was compact snow and ice for about 50 miles. I watched the blood drain from his face! To add insult to injury they included the fact that the roads going South to West Yellowstone were in the same if not in worse condition. HMMMM. What to do..what to do?
Maybe we should bag all these plans. Maybe this isn't where we need to be? Nope... not taking any chances. We'll turn around and head to the coast.
The managers from "Grizzly" called the next morning to see how we were doing. Yeah...right ! They wanted us to take our time getting there. Some of the other couples were having weather related issues, too. WOW !! This was truly a gift !
Tonight, we are sitting outside, in 75* temps, under our awning and in our canvas rocking chairs, and looking as though we haven't a care in the world ! Maybe retirement won't be sooo bad after all !?!
As I grew older, retirement was synonomous with, don't ever have to work again and not a care in the world. It was alot of working years, children, older parents,and dreaming that we finally realize our goal of retirement.
These last few weeks of filling out oodles of paperwork to ensure all the agencies, School District, Social Security, Medical Parts A, B through XYZ, regular medical, dental and optical are all in sync with each other. (Which they are NOT, unless you make sure all your paperwork is in with all dates that correspond, and all the I's are dotted and T's crossed.) Whew !
Now then, add to all this, we are leaving the area in the coldest, wettest April in recorded history to go East.
West Yellowstone still has 3-4 ft. of snow on the ground, with daytime temps running just above freezing and nightime temps running in the low teens. BRRRR. We are supposed to be there in a week or so to begin workamping.
We made it all the way to Issaquah on I-90 when Norm noticed the Jeep, we are towing, is showing up on his passenger side mirrors. This is a bad thing! The tow bar had snapped a spring and wouldn't lock in the fixed position. Okay ! No time to turn around so guess we drive the Jeep til we can get the towbar fixed.
The drive to Missoula was long but the roads were dry, for the most part, and it was easy to get this far. I was frankly amazed at how nice it was to be alone for all that time with the radio cranked WAY up to my kind of tunes. BLISS !!
Missoula did have some snow on the ground. The weather report was for more snow sprinkles but not much sticking to the road. We can do this. Norm called the Montana DOT and they told him road conditions just East of Butte, MT. was compact snow and ice for about 50 miles. I watched the blood drain from his face! To add insult to injury they included the fact that the roads going South to West Yellowstone were in the same if not in worse condition. HMMMM. What to do..what to do?
Maybe we should bag all these plans. Maybe this isn't where we need to be? Nope... not taking any chances. We'll turn around and head to the coast.
The managers from "Grizzly" called the next morning to see how we were doing. Yeah...right ! They wanted us to take our time getting there. Some of the other couples were having weather related issues, too. WOW !! This was truly a gift !
Tonight, we are sitting outside, in 75* temps, under our awning and in our canvas rocking chairs, and looking as though we haven't a care in the world ! Maybe retirement won't be sooo bad after all !?!
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