tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70943605566482990822024-02-18T18:14:59.854-08:00Charismatic Adventuresanke-mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794257215367570113noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094360556648299082.post-47340441757271134922009-05-22T06:38:00.000-07:002009-05-22T06:55:03.531-07:00A week in the life of an employee....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiok5-Nqib1pLmpOMMAjq_rIVFCJFKPATeVvqRRWTBTy78rjXdGBfXU9bj-iG-J7rTYddNZfrlRwaIL5pw9060BM5jzUS0oKlfox7U8sqbxXWYr_cY6SmnWD4uNEziopWzt2JDVsl2z-og/s1600-h/IMG00014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiok5-Nqib1pLmpOMMAjq_rIVFCJFKPATeVvqRRWTBTy78rjXdGBfXU9bj-iG-J7rTYddNZfrlRwaIL5pw9060BM5jzUS0oKlfox7U8sqbxXWYr_cY6SmnWD4uNEziopWzt2JDVsl2z-og/s200/IMG00014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338645896204017986" border="0" /></a>SO the past week and a half has been extremely busy and filled with ups and downs. Lake Hotel was hit by a pretty severe wind storm which blew down trees in every direction from us; it damaged both out connections to the main power grid. Thus leaving us without power for 72 hours right before we were suppose to open. Our Friday opening was postponed until Saturday and all the employees were evacuated every night to save us from the lack of heat and water. However, some good did come from the evacuation...on the drive back I got the closest view of a grizzly bear that I would ever want to have; he was eating weeds along the road about 8 feet from my car.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DUxmbc9t2Rk0ZMdkvODy2r0726GawXrxlVFjrImWIedPPxDXSxbA6UX_4nVRkaQQwDUJJj9MdShU72wZBWnGlbRH07dkNEpxfSiKteGCl2748M-wE6fWVYWLiUDlf-cyBSZOfepVFY0/s1600-h/CIMG2697.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DUxmbc9t2Rk0ZMdkvODy2r0726GawXrxlVFjrImWIedPPxDXSxbA6UX_4nVRkaQQwDUJJj9MdShU72wZBWnGlbRH07dkNEpxfSiKteGCl2748M-wE6fWVYWLiUDlf-cyBSZOfepVFY0/s200/CIMG2697.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338646382219028322" border="0" /></a><br />Beyond that, the trails are still closed but we've been taking trips into the northern part of the park so we can get out and about, also basketball is keeping us entertained most afternoons. Last night was the opening of the Pub....finally, it had been put off for over a week now due to water problems, but its open just in time for hell week.<br /><br />Hell week is this fantastic time when we are not at full staff but are at full capacity. This weekend the Hotel jumps from 150 approximate guests to 660 guests, leaving all the employees working double and split shifts to cover the rush. After this weekend our in-house guests will hover right around 400 for the rest of the season.anke-mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794257215367570113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094360556648299082.post-51341356996267824432009-05-10T11:45:00.000-07:002009-05-10T12:16:29.107-07:00Yellowstone...again!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFqKm8KoMf_tW1eOgcUPKdpFhsx8mP7EOVS3zYVMF7YgE01y39aLY_F_UN518t7WMdBPvt6M7jzbTo4pKsgUZyr3Rzv14uDncSObXmvPTSRHXl8WFU3UVqu2i8cm1OCBo9_5WvM7lOcI/s1600-h/CIMG2671.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 143px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFqKm8KoMf_tW1eOgcUPKdpFhsx8mP7EOVS3zYVMF7YgE01y39aLY_F_UN518t7WMdBPvt6M7jzbTo4pKsgUZyr3Rzv14uDncSObXmvPTSRHXl8WFU3UVqu2i8cm1OCBo9_5WvM7lOcI/s320/CIMG2671.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334274123545652130" border="0" /></a><br />Yesterday I moved back into the Park. It's wonderful to be back, there is a lot more snow this time but the atmosphere here created by the employees makes you forget the cold. We started training this morning, and luckily being a return employee I get to skip most of it. The drive down to Lake Hotel was wonderful, there was a grizzly bear playing in the snow on the side of the road and some bison calves jumping in the drifts.<br /><br />Thus far I just gotten settled in and walked around this location. Currently all the trails are closed so the<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsyucBhi-8wWoJGxkdcL6_Pqfrx4Mi8nvObwYBgtOryr4RhJ5BIpR_hanAKcgzxwSOJOZ7wa4d3VLaRbd933OHA54xCz8OTc3EfaoFXkTaMFE8feFs4rUjeZDRA4kTjhyphenhyphenY2RFXG6Goag/s1600-h/CIMG2670.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 122px; height: 91px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsyucBhi-8wWoJGxkdcL6_Pqfrx4Mi8nvObwYBgtOryr4RhJ5BIpR_hanAKcgzxwSOJOZ7wa4d3VLaRbd933OHA54xCz8OTc3EfaoFXkTaMFE8feFs4rUjeZDRA4kTjhyphenhyphenY2RFXG6Goag/s200/CIMG2670.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334275303501666306" border="0" /></a> only form of entertainment will be my goal of digging out the picnic table out front which as been overtaken by 4 feet of snow. Happily the weather report calls for temperatures to be in the 50's for the rest of the week.anke-mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794257215367570113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094360556648299082.post-87509501762898358012009-05-10T11:30:00.000-07:002009-05-10T11:44:03.600-07:00Albuquerque<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4NiB_LOVqjXpGlXjJVB2DtClfowpR74nbI08u2Cp8sGCNhUE_IK55RRSWMfF093HWDi8VPeZ0QEmUPoe7_L0-XXInO8WCi7YCC7NV5tOERSZ11Ou1OBKOYTw-st94KvQowgcYw2Wghw/s1600-h/CIMG2479.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 111px; height: 84px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4NiB_LOVqjXpGlXjJVB2DtClfowpR74nbI08u2Cp8sGCNhUE_IK55RRSWMfF093HWDi8VPeZ0QEmUPoe7_L0-XXInO8WCi7YCC7NV5tOERSZ11Ou1OBKOYTw-st94KvQowgcYw2Wghw/s200/CIMG2479.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334265826991346274" border="0" /></a>I spent a quick week with my brother down in New Mexico to help him move into his new house. The week went by far too fast; we spent a lot of time cleaning and settling into the house but had a few days to go be tourists. We visited the botanical gardens, the aquarium and also took the worlds longest tram ride to the top of a mountain. Really beautiful sights. Below are a few pictures of his new house.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PC868Qp3V30/SgcfzY_rr6I/AAAAAAAAAIE/vtdaK_lgEu0/s1600-h/CIMG2613.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PC868Qp3V30/SgcfzY_rr6I/AAAAAAAAAIE/vtdaK_lgEu0/s200/CIMG2613.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334267251386986402" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PC868Qp3V30/Sgcfz1BH9aI/AAAAAAAAAIU/jeScQjB7tew/s1600-h/CIMG2626.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PC868Qp3V30/Sgcfz1BH9aI/AAAAAAAAAIU/jeScQjB7tew/s200/CIMG2626.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334267258909226402" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PC868Qp3V30/SgcfzmOEwnI/AAAAAAAAAIM/7jDWtRRZv_Q/s1600-h/CIMG2640.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PC868Qp3V30/SgcfzmOEwnI/AAAAAAAAAIM/7jDWtRRZv_Q/s200/CIMG2640.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334267254937010802" border="0" /></a>anke-mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794257215367570113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094360556648299082.post-41711295138102011122009-05-03T08:51:00.000-07:002009-05-03T09:24:22.212-07:00Surprises of the UP<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhKxnp3LSvU0nodSrtDUVZcc87ltYROe5x0xCASy_cG8WHBkpKeGFrw5xPhIk27ih5bA7lenuyPxt6v_jYtauLc7yb6G_H3KFlJGl0I-JHoB9Q6nU-zUsGB52DbwUA6ftz1MZ4R-qHjE/s1600-h/CIMG2426.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhKxnp3LSvU0nodSrtDUVZcc87ltYROe5x0xCASy_cG8WHBkpKeGFrw5xPhIk27ih5bA7lenuyPxt6v_jYtauLc7yb6G_H3KFlJGl0I-JHoB9Q6nU-zUsGB52DbwUA6ftz1MZ4R-qHjE/s320/CIMG2426.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331633954457526338" border="0" /></a>A short trip to Marquette for one last goodbye to some friends was highlighted by one phenomenal day of exploring. Since getting my new jeep I was wanting to see what it can do off-road; well it most definitely got pushed on this trip. Evan and I were pursuing the elusive AAA road; a seasonal county road which has duped us on multiple occasions. We followed the road until it became completely overtaken with snow and had to accept defeat once more. On our return trip we got distracted by another road we've never traveled. Along this road were many beautiful houses and some land for sale, we were so intrigued we just continued to drive.<br /><br />Well, for hours we followed it and as we did it became a muddier and continued to get narrower and narrower as we progressed but the map showed that it would eventually lead us directly back to the highway. As we crossed streams and huge ditches I was convinced that this could not possibly be a county road; but the gps claimed otherwise, thus we drove on.<br /><br />Finally we came to an intersection; the road before us was fairly traveled, in fact it was an interstate compared to what we were just on. The issue with the road before us however, was that it did not exist on the map, and the road we were suppose to follow did not exist either...so we turned left. About a mile up the road to the left we discovered a gate, locked and well protected on either side to prevent our passing. Frustrated we decided going right, although it was in the wrong direction it would be much better than back tracking down the path we just followed so we went back to the intersection and this time went right...it took 3 miles in this direction to find another gate.<br /><br />Disheartened, we had no other options but to turn around and take our chances through the streams and ditches once more. On our way out of the area we passed through an open gate which we of course did not take into account on the way in. Being the kind people Evan and I are we stopped to close the gate and save the next sorry batch of explorers wouldn't have to discovered the blockades now almost 10 miles behind us. The gate unveiled an interesting sign that prohibited motor vehicles from the area...foiled again by another UP road; but still an entertaining day.anke-mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794257215367570113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094360556648299082.post-88654611550834895082009-04-10T07:30:00.000-07:002009-04-10T08:58:27.141-07:00Nostalgia...<meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title></title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.0 (Win32)"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } </style>Two years has flown by and sadly I even neglected to finish writing about Yellowstone 2007 and here I am starting over with Yellowstone 2009. So for those still checking in on here I hope to be a bit more disciplined in timely posts and apologize for the delay.
<br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I guess an update is due or at least a highlight reel of the last two year<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhZ0wFSe9i2mNA-oFJ2aJttg-hzX8Y-MyEMZUVwrXEODql7JfIVXYl5xyqRCKWBqOIJQKLd4G_grczx6qmZ4p3VOHlnZGTV4kBwzVN09pY_x_pRJhAioMxbA1IaAk8vLXsxGFf7fnRYE/s1600-h/IMG_0393.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhZ0wFSe9i2mNA-oFJ2aJttg-hzX8Y-MyEMZUVwrXEODql7JfIVXYl5xyqRCKWBqOIJQKLd4G_grczx6qmZ4p3VOHlnZGTV4kBwzVN09pY_x_pRJhAioMxbA1IaAk8vLXsxGFf7fnRYE/s200/IMG_0393.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323087447428624706" border="0" /></a>s. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">After leaving Yellowstone I returned to school in Michigan for my junior year which was pretty uneventful because I was taking so many classes in order to graduate the following winter. I did manage to get an internship set up for the Summer of 08' arranged and moved down to Madison, WI in May to write legislation for the Green Tier Program within the WDNR. Thus, most of my summer was spent in an office. Callie (my roommate) and I did get one pretty awesome hiking trip in at Devils Lake State Park, but that was about it.
<br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Around mid summer in 08' my professor contacted me regarding another internship working with a news source at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. So after what seemed like endless pages of paperwork I got a position working with NBC News. I was specifically assigned to Meet the Press featuring Nancy Pelosi and Caroline Kennedy. It was an amazing experience being involved with such a historical event. I also was able to attend President Obama's acceptance speech.
<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLofaq3L0-JKSkHKu7EDhU4Ciqv07vT5IJRgt70LhDwY42Ej3Xpev36D3A0Vyte75c5KQHWxwpyGM5czKHZ0WerNb6Yld2JoN2D67CsDZXQJyoqRewwfYgILTCnezXAjDRRi7ntsEtnf4/s1600-h/CIMG2253.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLofaq3L0-JKSkHKu7EDhU4Ciqv07vT5IJRgt70LhDwY42Ej3Xpev36D3A0Vyte75c5KQHWxwpyGM5czKHZ0WerNb6Yld2JoN2D67CsDZXQJyoqRewwfYgILTCnezXAjDRRi7ntsEtnf4/s320/CIMG2253.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323088587928282322" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PC868Qp3V30/Sd9p-1z-kdI/AAAAAAAAAHk/nb_Hi7IChMQ/s1600-h/cropped.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 211px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PC868Qp3V30/Sd9p-1z-kdI/AAAAAAAAAHk/nb_Hi7IChMQ/s320/cropped.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323089812893110738" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">So after missing the first week of classes for my senior year because of the DNC I got back to Marquette and settled in for my last semester. For the few months that I had left in college I got a job as a substitute teacher for the area schools. Then as quickly as it started, it ended with my graduation in December. I was the youngest in my class but graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelors degree in pre-law/political science and a minor in environmental conservation.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PC868Qp3V30/Sd9rGjsrMPI/AAAAAAAAAHs/lJFQzxsyIxc/s1600-h/driving.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 295px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PC868Qp3V30/Sd9rGjsrMPI/AAAAAAAAAHs/lJFQzxsyIxc/s320/driving.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323091044981223666" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">And that gets me to now. A semester off. I moved back home to help my mom and save some money for my next adventures.
<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Currently, I am all set to return to Yellowstone this summer and have already begun planning some camping trips within the park. When I return in August I will be starting graduate classes at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in the area of environmental policy. Oh, I also won a trip to Las Vegas and went in March to celebrate my 21st Birthday.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Thats about all I have for right now, I will, however, be keeping up with this blog for awhile again. In the next few weeks be looking for posts about my weekend trip to Marquette that is coming up and my trip to Albuquerque to visit my brother at the end of the month. </p> anke-mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794257215367570113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094360556648299082.post-29224438152211160542007-06-19T22:45:00.000-07:002007-06-20T14:54:29.101-07:00Firehole Meadows<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYV3hR18S5PuzKOyM6EseOLa5JfA13KB9RugV7tb7ms5nQ9_xoQEcxZ1jovdzPo-YAzpbLydkH8xtxr26fVEzlQtgE6QfrRVdUeV492l-KPn1RABm4hAjYpzGz1pDP1-l6Dr4tHk3PHY/s1600-h/pack.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYV3hR18S5PuzKOyM6EseOLa5JfA13KB9RugV7tb7ms5nQ9_xoQEcxZ1jovdzPo-YAzpbLydkH8xtxr26fVEzlQtgE6QfrRVdUeV492l-KPn1RABm4hAjYpzGz1pDP1-l6Dr4tHk3PHY/s320/pack.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078266918868572338" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" >OD2...</span><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal">My first backcountry camping experience in <st1:place st="on">Yellowstone</st1:place> was a complete success! The hike in was beautiful, we stopped and ate lunch beside a geyser that erupted every 30 seconds or so; it was way better than old faithful! The first 10 miles was mainly up <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUud_sw3VJ27fDzROLYZPuAq0-qiBFqmdj5nasLp1KmPC0phU1E-hig6Fvnr6bqf9IO6WiSEeZllhc7G6zroGNjlTEYcMehEjnhb-hFrNOpqKG2R44OSWaDvZrKIqmwpSxJptqrktdB6Q/s1600-h/trail.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUud_sw3VJ27fDzROLYZPuAq0-qiBFqmdj5nasLp1KmPC0phU1E-hig6Fvnr6bqf9IO6WiSEeZllhc7G6zroGNjlTEYcMehEjnhb-hFrNOpqKG2R44OSWaDvZrKIqmwpSxJptqrktdB6Q/s320/trail.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078266931753474242" border="0" /></a>hill, so I got plenty of great pictures of the surrounding area. We saw both water falls (Mystic and Fairy) and between them we only saw 4 other people who were heading to the campsite that was beyond ours.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Our site was beautiful; right on the side of Firehole Meadows were we could see the sunset. We roasted marshmallows, ate our dinners, and goofed off around the camp fire. The night got cold….below freezing cold; I really wish I would have brought my cold weather gear along with me! By morning I couldn’t feel my feet, but we packed up early and headed around our loop. The sun warmed me up right away and we were back to my truck by 11 o’clock (the 10 mile hike took us 4 hours). So over all, we hiked 16 miles in 6 hours…not to<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxX4cWZJ5T0bbsVTnnSSF4Hr9gNrAdlpd8J-Sc5KYFA25j635qHypkroWDJgkEuZnbdUdkup398Vbg-tkBJ6YfRYk27ghl5Sq3uvCA3jdBlkDdvCD887EUncCOikCCnotFWh0sXP6qgFk/s1600-h/fairy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxX4cWZJ5T0bbsVTnnSSF4Hr9gNrAdlpd8J-Sc5KYFA25j635qHypkroWDJgkEuZnbdUdkup398Vbg-tkBJ6YfRYk27ghl5Sq3uvCA3jdBlkDdvCD887EUncCOikCCnotFWh0sXP6qgFk/s320/fairy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078184429726685346" border="0" /></a>o shabby!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Anyways enough text, pictures say a thousand words!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br />P.S. for those of you who are watching the weather for my location….IT’S GOING TO BE 80 DEGREES BY THE END OF THE WEEK!!!!</p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtW4mLT4tEjfcF7PyrmP1bbPn9ZsovkXbH79ec1RFAz6vCWEbiFZNlYzElHoglmU_xIB86pWZIvfPKekCk-GGS6sCDNLd7-HwEkXbmQnqMEJ-msLS5fqEju8QGsADqjhgaunU2yvFw3k/s1600-h/biscuit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtW4mLT4tEjfcF7PyrmP1bbPn9ZsovkXbH79ec1RFAz6vCWEbiFZNlYzElHoglmU_xIB86pWZIvfPKekCk-GGS6sCDNLd7-HwEkXbmQnqMEJ-msLS5fqEju8QGsADqjhgaunU2yvFw3k/s320/biscuit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078184386777012338" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmknnfJ9yH-z3aYVNQVNXoCrnVSKjPEupxObTZMUFy_U-Aloj8uqcD8vnUuFTHV0n82R2zODJoU8rit5ogRBQgeTHijxMNwvQGagp7wzneHxWKGTyJaYVO8KmpnR-V_TnFhCIVEs03hwg/s1600-h/camp.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmknnfJ9yH-z3aYVNQVNXoCrnVSKjPEupxObTZMUFy_U-Aloj8uqcD8vnUuFTHV0n82R2zODJoU8rit5ogRBQgeTHijxMNwvQGagp7wzneHxWKGTyJaYVO8KmpnR-V_TnFhCIVEs03hwg/s320/camp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078184399661914242" border="0" /></a></p>anke-mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794257215367570113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094360556648299082.post-26054647838321955242007-06-17T16:49:00.000-07:002007-06-17T17:04:08.646-07:00CAMPING!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPMYQ2ARGe2Z7ubIZKLAIC8-GZnauizDuAn-Be99p0hNfW4UkPCXE-AaTTvkg6VN72psZ2zlkn-ewczyLzW0uQAZ3NhmhatTbD_eeKth_i7yXOE3HqZh7fOv7WHaS3XfXsMViffGmTII/s1600-h/yel_oldf.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPMYQ2ARGe2Z7ubIZKLAIC8-GZnauizDuAn-Be99p0hNfW4UkPCXE-AaTTvkg6VN72psZ2zlkn-ewczyLzW0uQAZ3NhmhatTbD_eeKth_i7yXOE3HqZh7fOv7WHaS3XfXsMViffGmTII/s320/yel_oldf.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077188246422116450" border="0" /></a>Hello June 17<sup>th</sup>….and hello snow. That’s right, it’s snowing again. Love it. Anyways, Jacob, Chuck and I are going camping tomorrow night, we’re going to leave in the morning and hike about 10 miles to our campsite in Firehole Meadows then the next day we’ll hike about 6 miles back to the road to the other vehicle. I’m so excited, it should be awesome. We’ll be hiking past fairy falls, a 197 ft waterfall which is one of the biggest in the park. Once we’re in firehole (behind the upper geyser <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">basin</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">old faithful</st1:placename></st1:place>) we’ll be able to swim in the thermal water if we’d like to. The entire trip should be a nice 16 mile loop. I’ll be sure to post some pictures when I get back. If you look on the map we're doing the fairy creek loop....anke-mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794257215367570113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094360556648299082.post-5436519548353778392007-06-07T20:31:00.000-07:002007-06-07T20:52:33.580-07:00Work and play<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);">Work and play....<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCSA8d1qE8dsfZIuDUWSIgRpsay0mhvfwR2QXfNfrlH95KXHKnJZ7QvIh21flLRaeETOFBRNgOPDAe7uw-IjYSRowE0DCGiVsuv9XOSH8Y90YpPWwnIeYQA7RK1u_gbcTBAr3qFcqMuM/s1600-h/mj.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCSA8d1qE8dsfZIuDUWSIgRpsay0mhvfwR2QXfNfrlH95KXHKnJZ7QvIh21flLRaeETOFBRNgOPDAe7uw-IjYSRowE0DCGiVsuv9XOSH8Y90YpPWwnIeYQA7RK1u_gbcTBAr3qFcqMuM/s320/mj.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073533645865048098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Finally relief is going to come from our crazy work schedules, we have some returning servers </span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">arriving next week and we will be fully staffed. I don't mind</span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> working long days but after 5 of them in a ro</span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">w it's time to lay around. I haven't gone hiking in a week or so, the weather has returned to cold and wet. My days off lately have been spent just laying around or sleeping the entire day away. It's nice to rest up when the weather is bad. Next week I have a relatively easy schedule, only 2 double shifts thank goodness.<br /></span></span><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Molly and I went for a drive tod</span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">ay and saw a wolf and a great gray owl. They wer</span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">e amazing and quite close to us. The wolf was hunting a ground squirrel and t</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1avR7nIcVl4h5jroq3RQFQu0cEzTC4F2Q1IMt7fqXBrT3KoYWKIjmIBA0YgxpnvznBtKQSa0jGeZ1MHuLKqwJTeP2nPU4SlLTbtHEL4kXXigfQzoicQiredFa2db8txy3u1rtbjcxqKo/s1600-h/paca.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1avR7nIcVl4h5jroq3RQFQu0cEzTC4F2Q1IMt7fqXBrT3KoYWKIjmIBA0YgxpnvznBtKQSa0jGeZ1MHuLKqwJTeP2nPU4SlLTbtHEL4kXXigfQzoicQiredFa2db8txy3u1rtbjcxqKo/s320/paca.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073534071066810418" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">he owl was just perched out in the open; neither cared about all the people arou</span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">nd them. Ironically I ran into three people from</span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> Waupaca (Isaac Orr, Nathan Millison, Patrick Robins) while we were watching the wolf....<br /></span></span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">The food here is finally getting to me, I am definitely sick of it. Everything tastes the same...bad. Lately Molly and I have been hitting up the deli for dinner so that we actually have a hearty meal in us.</span></span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Sorry there isn't anything more exciting, but here are some pictures from our drive today.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMMhI71kxE1k48zIn-zu0jaKXqvJH1kwet5TFAZ9cGJAK89y8DBwmH_5PG46j0GmwEeQSzsL5OGb0WNuwUNhQffuf8djUoGI0HquFlRnEVHgynLwC4p-K03yqvplk7-T8YLmBuQO1xgo/s1600-h/wolf.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMMhI71kxE1k48zIn-zu0jaKXqvJH1kwet5TFAZ9cGJAK89y8DBwmH_5PG46j0GmwEeQSzsL5OGb0WNuwUNhQffuf8djUoGI0HquFlRnEVHgynLwC4p-K03yqvplk7-T8YLmBuQO1xgo/s320/wolf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073534358829619266" border="0" /></a></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style="font-size:130%;">(Get well soon brother! Love you!)</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpt2V7NRIs-cqDcpxZO8ot5dd7Ysh2dmoZwYMM1VnwVxIGenqwU0mVLKNWRlsBnnBMtGDqrPUdMr3LUGwWTJWPMbtC5cwyinoM754M1AGcIYDq3J6AQ3K0DEAKeRatyOWuuuDZaVM7_vg/s1600-h/upper.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpt2V7NRIs-cqDcpxZO8ot5dd7Ysh2dmoZwYMM1VnwVxIGenqwU0mVLKNWRlsBnnBMtGDqrPUdMr3LUGwWTJWPMbtC5cwyinoM754M1AGcIYDq3J6AQ3K0DEAKeRatyOWuuuDZaVM7_vg/s320/upper.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073535161988503634" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>anke-mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794257215367570113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094360556648299082.post-17325465884985352682007-05-26T11:12:00.000-07:002007-06-01T10:44:50.675-07:00Hurry up and Relax<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">Birthdays Birthdays...</span></span><br /><div><br />On Chuck’s birthday, we decided to take a hike up elephant back once again. It was extremely fun with the group of us (Molly, Jacob, Chuck and I). No bears this time, instead we got to the top a<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJjz8PUrLdM3M_bcTLishgNnyUTOO7eb9bIDXoFYgvZo-VpZe4S9NjtE73ROeB7zdJl1pfphgkUWyp-0uGTMPvsaYW94n0R2fm98ouOykVrEJqVoLjeaiO4UEbf2s2hd66KHrCP4rmJ0/s1600-h/chuck.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJjz8PUrLdM3M_bcTLishgNnyUTOO7eb9bIDXoFYgvZo-VpZe4S9NjtE73ROeB7zdJl1pfphgkUWyp-0uGTMPvsaYW94n0R2fm98ouOykVrEJqVoLjeaiO4UEbf2s2hd66KHrCP4rmJ0/s320/chuck.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071146890305486914" border="0" /></a>nd found ourselves among the clouds. It was so humid and cold, but beautiful to watch the clouds float between the trees around us. We got back to the dorms at about 8:30 and headed to the pub for pizza and drinks. Everyone bought Chuck a round to celebrate. Afterwards, we came back to our (Molly and I) room and played cranium until the wee hours of the morning. At one point we also dragged Chuck down the hall in a sleeping bag which was probably one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen! It was a great way to spend my last day off. </div><div>The next day Molly and I walked around chasing an elusive grizzly bear for most of the morning. We never actually saw it but the ranger had been tracking it with a radio collar and told us that it was just out of sight down the shore but had to keep everyone away. We walked back to the dorms just enjoying the day and met a peculiar man who was just in the park to take pictures; he was very nice and exceedingly interested in our lives as we live in Yellowstone. Being<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7RmP6zD42JL1nelstOcHkNeXRsAv-BaXLtSGbdEwYKwSf07-JfZJqUlLqatTrnOLt5wtDpvit2rOw9trAXIWjQdUxreVtVVzHnGA-V1LaecEnY1gwtkcUfxLHgaCM09LKTkSYlf6Oqw/s1600-h/buff.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7RmP6zD42JL1nelstOcHkNeXRsAv-BaXLtSGbdEwYKwSf07-JfZJqUlLqatTrnOLt5wtDpvit2rOw9trAXIWjQdUxreVtVVzHnGA-V1LaecEnY1gwtkcUfxLHgaCM09LKTkSYlf6Oqw/s320/buff.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071147109348819026" border="0" /></a> the talker than I am, I spent almost an hour talking with this man before I had to rush back to get ready for work.<br /><br />Work this week is kind of crazy…the foreigners have arrived so we have plenty of server assistants; they are all very nice and eager to know us and work. My schedule for the week consists of 3 double shifts in a row, two of which are splits; after that I have an early breakfast and then it’s vacation time again for a few days! I don’t mind working so much, I just come home and sleep, think of the money and count down to my days off.<br />I still absolutely love it here, and the weather is finally getting warm again!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Oyz21_Rx5oag4kcVWn6Pt_ARgDXe77jw5UJD2icMzoLWru_rZ1q_jpKEZzNfz9rJrh10337yiB9-1MHQDHR_N80Nl8Ohk9RBb2nn-IyvU80GSwohxgxntjATeAH5iGdful2EWlNzWKE/s1600-h/prince.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Oyz21_Rx5oag4kcVWn6Pt_ARgDXe77jw5UJD2icMzoLWru_rZ1q_jpKEZzNfz9rJrh10337yiB9-1MHQDHR_N80Nl8Ohk9RBb2nn-IyvU80GSwohxgxntjATeAH5iGdful2EWlNzWKE/s320/prince.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071150214610174130" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div>Camping season is almost upon me….<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">80's Dance</span></span><br /><br />Molly's 21st Birthday was also a success! We went into Cody and bought a cake, a crown, ate some real food, and began planning our 80's outfits. The pub's theme for the night was an 80's dance and it seemed like everyone was going to go all out for it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROSzP8OXCDsfXUGs-ph2c6-4RJ3iQsH2iIzzxteWCP_N7P2OjNXyribrOwbfsFw8u1tOKyKDqgrK289ii6WCCCJoEgOHKVZEJl4XdQNYTwkj8AwBSt-KV_AnLpO4bUMxR1YrbLzDQfEw/s1600-h/outfits.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROSzP8OXCDsfXUGs-ph2c6-4RJ3iQsH2iIzzxteWCP_N7P2OjNXyribrOwbfsFw8u1tOKyKDqgrK289ii6WCCCJoEgOHKVZEJl4XdQNYTwkj8AwBSt-KV_AnLpO4bUMxR1YrbLzDQfEw/s320/outfits.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071149278307303586" border="0" /></a>We headed to the pub at about 10 o'clock, all decked out. Ordered a pizza, assuming we wouldn't get it until also midnight anyways; and waited for her hour to arrive. Well, we got impatient and had her start drinking at 11, she was well on her way to drunk before midnight. The DJ announced her birthday at midnight as she blew out the candles! We danced the night away and watched Molly drink round after round until the pub closed down. The adventure home was one of the best, Molly was making speeches and announcing to everyone that it was her birthday as Chuck and I carried her home. When we got back Molly almost instantly fell asleep. I went outside to watch the rest of the drunken 80's night goers return from the pub. Yellowstone definitely knows how to have fun.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpMFS-Rc_B_15XrO6xex22oxXjPZ1zhFCRLke-ZRW-meWpbw7Hz5aRlx4Xorv72ksKNRk00BTAOWy85320FLJjchrFnmZLI4PLYmgC3EUGYxRcJZxXfTG0BSPzuhx5g1cq3F5A-osNaI/s1600-h/cake.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpMFS-Rc_B_15XrO6xex22oxXjPZ1zhFCRLke-ZRW-meWpbw7Hz5aRlx4Xorv72ksKNRk00BTAOWy85320FLJjchrFnmZLI4PLYmgC3EUGYxRcJZxXfTG0BSPzuhx5g1cq3F5A-osNaI/s320/cake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071147783658684514" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><br /><br /><br /></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><br /><br /><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ0hmd_6XmT_rmIF6GhwaZXR-2PMgRENYh0dYw9lEAUEZ8FtsaBAgBHrX4LoiOm9y08A0X6RQW-jjsH8KwL4o_zgL3hKGno4aKnmfjfvM82Qqr0hkIN9cPH52LPfAUc2CiwhiXQRI-6Pk/s1600-h/home.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ0hmd_6XmT_rmIF6GhwaZXR-2PMgRENYh0dYw9lEAUEZ8FtsaBAgBHrX4LoiOm9y08A0X6RQW-jjsH8KwL4o_zgL3hKGno4aKnmfjfvM82Qqr0hkIN9cPH52LPfAUc2CiwhiXQRI-6Pk/s320/home.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071152688511336642" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />More Updates...</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I still love the park! My working hours are extreme, I work double shifts 5 days a week; but our managers say it's going to get better as more people arrive. I can onl</span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">y hope that's true, I had some awful blisters on my feet after last week. The weather has been nice, no snow and right around 50 degrees. I think I will go whitewater rafting next Thursday with Molly, and hopefully camping on my days off as well.</span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">I hope everyone back home is doing well, I apologize that it is so hard to get in contact with me.</span></span></span><br /></span></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3n08LSoW1RLiX_biiU3QZdG4HZL2DOb0QdV2IC-nkuObJLpQ-8U70CQibLDJAkOuvUpAxm-t53JyBtLbmo6I7bBz6QHCOl1lsWyHiqP2KmfErgyMKZbnhNNuit9qXe6UAFgsYKB3BN10/s1600-h/me.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3n08LSoW1RLiX_biiU3QZdG4HZL2DOb0QdV2IC-nkuObJLpQ-8U70CQibLDJAkOuvUpAxm-t53JyBtLbmo6I7bBz6QHCOl1lsWyHiqP2KmfErgyMKZbnhNNuit9qXe6UAFgsYKB3BN10/s320/me.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071148367774236802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"></span></span></div>anke-mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794257215367570113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094360556648299082.post-39588098472898580722007-05-23T12:24:00.000-07:002007-05-23T17:31:22.425-07:00The Plight of Three<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrJUbLe2uGPcl4JWaedxhtL61iHG4Ib8Y94nq56SAM8qwsy2TzNWy5fLeRLoCaiEFGahSYGLMyqyNKSSFPQ5Q0uzbXrhwEeXGzC78DmlTSD3Z17Udk0vXlBkbHn5HhazIvGUGH-YqbrY/s1600-h/yellowstoneriver.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrJUbLe2uGPcl4JWaedxhtL61iHG4Ib8Y94nq56SAM8qwsy2TzNWy5fLeRLoCaiEFGahSYGLMyqyNKSSFPQ5Q0uzbXrhwEeXGzC78DmlTSD3Z17Udk0vXlBkbHn5HhazIvGUGH-YqbrY/s320/yellowstoneriver.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067895771861106594" border="0" /></a><br />After the events of last night, I've decided to recount my summer adventures from Yellowstone National Park here for everyone to read and remember. A few of my friends also have blogs; their links are posted on the right. Many of the stories will be the same but from different perspectives.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Thus, from the beginning.</span></span><br /><br /></span>I applied for a job in Yellowstone with the simple hope that I wouldn't spend my summer working in the foundry again. To my surprise, my accidentally submitted, uncompleted application was accepted in less than 2 weeks. I told my parents about the job and they said that I should go for it. Without a second thought I packed up my things and headed west. I left Waupaca, Wisconsin on May 10th and drove 11 hours to Spearfish, South Dakota where I stayed the night. The following day I finished my drive to the park and stayed in another hotel in Gardiner, Montana. Here I met my first coworker; "Tex" was staying in the room next to me and we met while unloading our trucks. I discovered he would be working in Old Faithful, whereas I am at Lake Hotel. Nevertheless we hung out most of the evening and decided it would be best for us to still together the next day during registration.<br /><br />Day 1 in the park was hectic and long. We registered in Gardiner, then drove through the park to Mammoth Springs where we attended an orientation. From here we were to head to our working locations. I said good-bye to Tex and began the 1.5 hour drive to Lake Yellowstone. Upon arrival I was assigned a room and told that I start work the next morning at 8 a.m.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJWFpOE3rrRC1Apf8igkzp6z6kTM57pLM6jjav-sOKd60r8oXxgi5WwnjpiVPexkIJERDmzyLBRNWS2UkbK1bfOn7_IKFWcptiIh2OQmtRJ_5V7Azw6SfdiMv4-FqzM1KK7COfSVdAZc/s1600-h/girls.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJWFpOE3rrRC1Apf8igkzp6z6kTM57pLM6jjav-sOKd60r8oXxgi5WwnjpiVPexkIJERDmzyLBRNWS2UkbK1bfOn7_IKFWcptiIh2OQmtRJ_5V7Azw6SfdiMv4-FqzM1KK7COfSVdAZc/s320/girls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067900938706763714" border="0" /></a><br />I moved in and awaited my roommate. Molly moved in only a few hours after I did. She is from Cheyenne, Wyoming and I am truly lucky to have her as a roommate. We work/live great together! Our suite mates are Aubrey and Laura K.<br /><br />Day 2 and beyond. We trained 8 hours a day for the first 4 days, in the evenings my new found friends and I would take walks down to the Lake and around the area. It's beautiful in the park, and living here gives me a sense of calm that I've never experienced before.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdSFb456A7s32UqVXSnLGYzSHBztJ0__x1eeRHP29Ob7cEUuSHTQ4OIxAeQpSUjgIEcRsoRGt7UnAzOxemar0Bzc8JLeFpDI_1HjWYXJ3YnsgkTS3RZwDogtiOFyP6iAeOd0SHoRjfA0/s1600-h/uniform.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdSFb456A7s32UqVXSnLGYzSHBztJ0__x1eeRHP29Ob7cEUuSHTQ4OIxAeQpSUjgIEcRsoRGt7UnAzOxemar0Bzc8JLeFpDI_1HjWYXJ3YnsgkTS3RZwDogtiOFyP6iAeOd0SHoRjfA0/s320/uniform.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067895947954765746" border="0" /></a><br />The main group that I spend time with consists of Molly my roommate, Jacob from Indiana and his roommate Chuck from Michigan; they will be mentioned periodically throughout the blog.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Kayaking mishap...</span></span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Jacob has his own version of this story if you are interested; but these are the facts....<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>On May 13<sup>th</sup> I decided it would be a good day to go have some fun on the cold choppy lake. It was no different than some of the other lakes or even rivers that I have been on. Secondly, I live in Upper Michigan right on <st1:place st="on">Lake Superior</st1:place> (the water temperature is always cold, I swam in it the last week in April) so cold water doesn’t bother me. <p class="MsoNormal">The main reason I wanted to get out on the lake was to see if I would get any cell phone reception. So I go into my kayak as soon as I got used to the waves, and paddled out maybe 8 strokes; at this point I got out my cell phone. Here is where I ran into trouble…I was holding my paddle with one hand and my phone with the other. A wave hit me from the side (had I been holding onto my paddle properly it wouldn’t have been a problem) but instead I proceeded to put my cell phone away because I knew what was coming next. So I turned over in slow motion (not having my splash skirt on to complete the roll) and flooded my kayak. I didn’t move for a moment <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4FErVsSrfMcS6eSFK5yQ7oeFa2TZq7KMeSMOtipL3DOhi5CWOgf897eg_5qiIihYsaT75raq38Ty-Rvxzt7r4JMTmZFTtklJHhhLwc0-yCBF3DWs2_q1lb13WxCuCOPnzzk1W__U4x8/s1600-h/kayak.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4FErVsSrfMcS6eSFK5yQ7oeFa2TZq7KMeSMOtipL3DOhi5CWOgf897eg_5qiIihYsaT75raq38Ty-Rvxzt7r4JMTmZFTtklJHhhLwc0-yCBF3DWs2_q1lb13WxCuCOPnzzk1W__U4x8/s320/kayak.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067901398268264402" border="0" /></a>because I was laughing and still attempting to zip my pocket shut so I wouldn’t lose my cell phone. Then instead of just getting back into my kayak I thought swimming back to shore would be easier (I was only about 4 side strokes from where I could touch the ground). In the mean time, Jacob rolled up his pants and walked in up to his knees in a failed attempt to “rescue me”.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Once on shore I laughed and dried my cell phone (which still works!) Then I lingered on the beach for about 10 minutes just taking in the humor of the moment. On the walk back the truth is no one saw me…I was saddened by this because I thought it was hilarious. The only two people who witnessed me drenched were Jacob (obviously) and Molly who I had to track down to show.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Bear Encounter...</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;">Elephant Back Trail<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">I went on my first real hike tonight and of course we saw a grizzly bear! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-vli4hvePg5Ri0K1oNM76HkmTrmzwtRO_HuooDnuGJWn2l7olcf_7ufMcOlA5ny_dXqAt0Y5GfrSM8CI2GOJMrSISsYA5kVz87HvBSQRmV2JaXeAH-gq3KMP_eR24IDMi82gpq6EFb8/s1600-h/eback.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-vli4hvePg5Ri0K1oNM76HkmTrmzwtRO_HuooDnuGJWn2l7olcf_7ufMcOlA5ny_dXqAt0Y5GfrSM8CI2GOJMrSISsYA5kVz87HvBSQRmV2JaXeAH-gq3KMP_eR24IDMi82gpq6EFb8/s320/eback.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067917787863466034" border="0" /></a>On the way back down the mountain we stumbled upon it. It wasn't full grown but we were WAY to close for comfort. So the group of us (5) continued on quickly without getting any pictures.<br /><br />The bear knew long in advance that we were coming because we were making plenty of noise and almost walked right past without seeing it. She turned around and made sure we knew that she was there and then continued along her way. Thank goodness other hikers warned us at the top that there was a grizzly in the area. We reported the sighting to a ranger, ironically, it was the same ranger who just warned us about entering the bear closure when we began our hike.<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Finally, the event which brought me to this blog….</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);font-size:130%;" >Happy Birthday Chuck...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;">"...this could be bad"</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4AhF6q4Rr3i4onHYqOk560qmVf782r0DJhLX8xqQcfutPEOxaQYXT8f2jwEAYt1dzXXU8sW5z5RimP1xCWdj6t-1Hlmz1JJXETW9KM7Oj53qLlAEqZAmF-K46JOBn3ZgKPgJ5NLB738/s1600-h/elk.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4AhF6q4Rr3i4onHYqOk560qmVf782r0DJhLX8xqQcfutPEOxaQYXT8f2jwEAYt1dzXXU8sW5z5RimP1xCWdj6t-1Hlmz1JJXETW9KM7Oj53qLlAEqZAmF-K46JOBn3ZgKPgJ5NLB738/s320/elk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067902313096298482" border="0" /></a>Last night Chuck, Jacob and I took a drive to Idaho Falls. The purpose was simple, retrieve Chuck's suitcase and stop at Wal-Mart to get supplies from the outside world; "liquor and cheap cigarettes" as Chuck put it.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">The drive began normally, it had been snowing all day but we didn't think anything of it. We stopped to photograph elk and buffalo along the way to the West Gate. Outside of the park we drove on singing and talking about life in Yellowstone. We arrived in Idaho Falls to discover that Chuck's suitcase had already been delivered to Old Faithful. Without lingering on the fact that our trip was pointless at this point we continued on to Target, Wal-Mart, and Best Buy for everything from snacks to paint, hair-dye to flash lights. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDR0Co6kXD9bV-H0uqiA5yiOW1WW-uCSPrkeuWXdwwmWAeF7LQODdWcyfkXst-TJj20Yzq1INaXhNXtSJMS17c551U7JzuBrfB9tiocyeFjnm5a8iodk4JsEim7pM2bhJDvoAkVQRerQ/s1600-h/buff.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDR0Co6kXD9bV-H0uqiA5yiOW1WW-uCSPrkeuWXdwwmWAeF7LQODdWcyfkXst-TJj20Yzq1INaXhNXtSJMS17c551U7JzuBrfB9tiocyeFjnm5a8iodk4JsEim7pM2bhJDvoAkVQRerQ/s320/buff.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067902008153620450" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">We pit-stopped for some dinner and then began our drive home. The sunset was amazing, colorful and enchanting. We entered back into the park at about 10 o'clock and went to Old Faithful. While we were there we met up with some friends and enjoyed a few minutes relaxing in the Inn. Next, we went down to the employee living area and retrieved Chuck's suitcase.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">It was now getting late, beyond 11 o'clock and both Chuck and Jacob had to work at 5 a.m. We drove through the park being extremely cautious of the elk and bison. As we approached Ibsen Lake we noticed the bridge was sheer ice. Chuck slowed us as much as possible before we hit it but the ice took control of the vehicle and caused us to go into a slide. He was able to keep us on the road for a long time but the ice just wouldn't end... the car slid into the ditch right between two trees and then the decline of the ditch took out momentum and the car rolled over into the marsh directly on the Continental Divide.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikBLtLFqmPqU4ecTVIBK_2IQWuoibEtn0-1BoZ53i1IJAQOYmIpBDIFqvt-xA42fHypNSfPgeQVhhKPrdf8dVmDDAyxCtI7Fwe78yXP4d1UnAHBVKzBYmc-hBvAkmRzxyLpObTW-defPo/s1600-h/car.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikBLtLFqmPqU4ecTVIBK_2IQWuoibEtn0-1BoZ53i1IJAQOYmIpBDIFqvt-xA42fHypNSfPgeQVhhKPrdf8dVmDDAyxCtI7Fwe78yXP4d1UnAHBVKzBYmc-hBvAkmRzxyLpObTW-defPo/s320/car.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067902691053420546" border="0" /></a>Hanging upside down within the car we made sure everyone was ok, and then got out to collect ourselves. The marsh had provided a soft landing for us, everyone walked away unscathed. Once we processed what had happened we looked around the area to figure out what to do next. My phone which had exited the vehicle during the roll was laying in the mud (my phone is such a trooper) it is yet again working but we didn't get any reception in the region we were in. Earlier in the day Chuck had bought a sleeping bag, thank goodness for that, I was wet and cold and it was so warm.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;">We stay together by the car, tried to stay warm, and waited....</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Approximately 45 minutes later a pick-up truck came down the road. The two gentlemen inside did not have room to take us anywhere but they turned around to get a ranger. Not too long after that a semi-truck came down the road he attempted to stop and help us but he went into a slide for the next 1/4 mile and almost went into the ditch himself. Jacob went to see if he was ok, and told him to just keep moving but to radio in the accident when he could. Again, the three of us were left on the side of the road alone. The rangers responded quickly and were at the scene 15 or 20 minutes after the first truck had stopped. The road was so icy it was difficult to even walk on.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">The rangers put us in their vehicle for warmth and began to survey the accident. The car is totaled. The wrecker was on the way...all we could do was wait. 3 hours later the car was back on it's tires and out of the marsh. 4 rangers, 3 firemen, and a tow-truck driver had now spent much of the morning with us. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjdY2X70jXttL2-aW_PMXXOJbWhB_sogPY9v-mHs5NR8i0cwuuWqoioTBgzIk54BB6gnD8VXZd7NhEPj9rVkNjwzgTg6nb5TY5I-G6Q56868Xc-MSFscjm-YSnZF79ZWwXhgXnf981HE/s1600-h/me.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjdY2X70jXttL2-aW_PMXXOJbWhB_sogPY9v-mHs5NR8i0cwuuWqoioTBgzIk54BB6gnD8VXZd7NhEPj9rVkNjwzgTg6nb5TY5I-G6Q56868Xc-MSFscjm-YSnZF79ZWwXhgXnf981HE/s320/me.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067902961636360210" border="0" /></a>We hitched a ride back with the wrecker and arrived at our dorms around 4 in the morning (again, Chuck and Jacob have to work at 5 a.m.). We got what we could out of the car before it was towed to Fishing Bridge.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">The three of us stayed awake until the boys had to go to work. I would think being involved in rolling a car into a marsh would be grounds for a day off....low-and-behold, it's not. They both worked full shifts. I returned to my room and explained the situation to my worried roommate. Then I collapsed into my bed, muddy and wet for a few hours of well deserved sleep.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">So that's the excitement in Yellowstone. We are all safe, uninjured and left with a rather unique story. Tomorrow is Chuck's Birthday....what a way to celebrate.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAzL3o9PPkonJtvT_A3L3fuAxhg5gQ0abautGGzNgGTUgGRRnced6TIX3CyBZMyCNi9eLMFmjxOxbihwUDaW8jXJ241uyuXd9X-GzZhb8XM4jpOI_D8m-USM8FQsCv_3Pgwi-9cpwBZU/s1600-h/chuck.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAzL3o9PPkonJtvT_A3L3fuAxhg5gQ0abautGGzNgGTUgGRRnced6TIX3CyBZMyCNi9eLMFmjxOxbihwUDaW8jXJ241uyuXd9X-GzZhb8XM4jpOI_D8m-USM8FQsCv_3Pgwi-9cpwBZU/s320/chuck.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067903172089757730" border="0" /></a>*Ironically, the first day I got here someone told me that Yellowstone is great because it starts off awkward and then you meet friends and it turns into an amazing bonding experience... this last week and a half have proven this statement true.*<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /></p>anke-mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794257215367570113noreply@blogger.com0