Out Where the West Begins

I can't think of a more appropriate way to end my journey here than with a poem that was first introduced to me by my roomie Pete, in Queens. It's called, "Out Where the West Begins," by Arthur Chapman. I also have to credit Pete with giving me his "old" camera - without it I wouldn't have all the beautiful pictures I've been able to post. Thanks, Pete!

Thank you all for coming along on this adventure with me. Your posts and encouragement have meant the world to me. I plan on continuing to blog about wherever life takes me next! Enjoy...

Out Where the West Begins
Out where the handclasp's a little stronger,
Out where the smile dwells a little longer,
That's where the West begins;

Out where the sun is a little brighter,


Where the snows that fall are a trifle whiter;


Where the bonds of home are a wee bit tighter;

That's where the West begins.

Out where the skies are a trifle bluer,


Out where the friendship's a little truer,
That's where the West begins

Out where a fresher breeze is blowing,
Where there's laughter in every streamlet flowing,


Where there's more of reaping and less of sowing,
That's where the West begins.

Out where the world is in the making,
Where fewer hearts with despair are aching;
That's where the West begins;

Where there's more of singing and less of sighing,


Where's there's more of giving and less of buying,

And where a man makes friends without half trying,


That's where the West begins.

A Hodgepodge

There are many little items that I did not get a chance to blog about. So, here is a hodgepodge of some of them...

Singing
I was so happy to sing at Yellowstone. In the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, there is a pianist named Randy who plays 5 nights a week. The especially extroverted German bellhop at the hotel, Frank, was over the top when he learned that I could sing. He arranged for Randy and I to perform together several times, and even verbally invited people to performances. Frank would make a great agent. And it was a wonderful experience to sing every time.

Here is a picture of Randy and I after my farewell performance with him...

Randy is an extraordinary person. Not only can he play piano, but he was also mauled by a bear once on his shoulder. He actually gives presentations at the Hotel about his mauling. What a trooper!

Grizzly Bears
Speaking of bears, here is the only grizzly bear that I saw during my entire stay at Yellowstone - and it was from a car. (Thank God!)...


Coffee
I have been a big fan of the strong coffee out here. It’s so strong, that even the coffee shop mugs advertise it...


My strongest cup of coffee was actually at the Old West Cookout in the Tower-Roosevelt area of the Park. They call it, “Cowboy Coffee.” Oh, yes.

It’s cooked in a kettle, over a fire...


And looks like this...


And the best part is all the grits at the bottom...

That’s how you know it’s the real deal.

Hiking uphill
If things got tough, climbing up a steep hill or mountain, I would wear my hat backwards. It made me feel more badass, and gave me a little spring in my step. ;)...

(Such a metaphor for life, too!)

Whistle Pigs
As I was unpacking my bags in my room on my very first day in Yellowstone, I suddenly heard a small squeaking sound, coming from an animal. My first, quick thought, coming from NYC of course, was “Ohmygodthere’samouseinthewall!”

To my delight, there was no mouse, but only a whistle pig outside the window. Yes, that is what everyone calls them anyway. They don’t look a thing like pigs. They are little ground squirrels that live inside holes...


They're everywhere!...


Look how devious they are :) ...


Magpies
My other favorite animal around Mammoth are what people call, “magpies.” Again, I have no idea if this is a scientific term or not. The magpies are comical birds - I enjoy watching them. Mostly they hop around, and yell at other birds. Once I saw a magpie squawking at a raven 3x it’s size! The raven just stood there and took it. I wish I had a video of that. Here is a magpie...

Lamar Valley

I took my first trip to Lamar Valley with Elizabeth and Cathleen, and the only thing I felt sad about is that I had not been there sooner! It's my new favorite area of the Park. It's virtually untouched by man, and is a famous place for viewing wolves, however hard they may be to see. The best time of day for viewing wolves is right at dawn, and we were in Lamar Valley during sunset. But no loss at all! We were able to see some equally beautiful sights.

So many buffalo! It's like a scene from "Dances With Wolves"...

More buffalo...

Ironically, I find out that I have a video recording feature on my camera - so late in the season! Oh well! I jump at the chance to video some buffalo in action, while they were swarming around Elizabeth's car. Enjoy the sights and snorts of the buffalo...

Fly fishermen...

It's easy to see the sun set, here in Lamar Valley...

I wish I had the biggest camera ever! - one that can capture what we are seeing with our eyes. When I look at the west side of the Valley, I can see the sun setting. Then, as I turn my head to the east side of the Valley, I can see the moon rising. There are completely different colors on each side of the Valley, and both events are happening simultaneously. Something I'll always remember...

In NY, I have often visited the MOMA on Target Free Fridays (thank you, Target!) and there are a few paintings there that I always make sure to see. One of them is a painting by Henri Rousseau. It is entitled, The Sleeping Gypsy, and was completed in 1897. I don't know why I am always drawn to it, except that the colors and simplicity stop me in my tracks...

I kept thinking of that painting while I saw these final two scenes in Lamar Valley in real life...

Inspirational people

My experience, here in Yellowstone, has been an even more joyous one because of the people I've met. Here are just a few that have inspired me.

Who else could I start with than my roomie, Cathleen! She has been mentioned in almost every blog post I've had. We met on the bus from Bozeman that very first day. Mostly because we were the only 2 people on the bus that had not come from Bulgaria.

Originally from Indianapolis, Cathleen is pursuing a journalism career, though her time here at Yellowstone may lead her to write about Yellowstone in a historical manner, or even become a ranger. She has the gift of the gab, and probably speaks twice as many words as I ever do in one day, and it is always a joy to be around her. She has an unassuming, intellectual and playful spirit about her. I am grateful to have met her...



Dustin, from Nashville, TN. He was here only a few short weeks and then had to leave unexpectedly, but it was great having him here. His spontaneity, love of nature and Honda Element led us to unexpected places and beautiful sights. One of my favorite memories was when Dustin, Justin, Cathleen and I were driving on the Grand Loop Road in Yellowstone just after midnight one night, when he suddenly pulled over so that we could all get out of the car and see the stars. I had never seen so many stars in my life. There were so many, that I could see them on both sides of me - on the horizon. It was as if there we stars all around me, but on the ground. I will always remember that...



Tiffany and Ross from Kalamazoo, Michigan. They are by far my favorite couple here. They both were offered jobs in the Park, and within a day, gave their jobs in Michigan (which they had been at for several years) their 2 weeks notice. Their employers in Michigan loved them so much, that they instead gave them each a 3 month leave of absence, just so they could have them back again in the fall. In 2 weeks, they packed up all their stuff, drove out to Wyoming, bought a used RV in Jackson, and currently live in their RV just outside of Gardiner until mid-September. It is obvious they love each other and love being with each other, and their thirst for adventure is equal. I love them!...


Dearest Elizabeth. Where can I begin? Here are just some of the reasons that Elizabeth is outstanding:

1) She decided to enroll in college for the first time when she was 43.
2) By age 59, she received her doctorate.
3) She has an inflatable kayak that she brings with her at all times, just in case she comes across a river she'd like to ride on.
4) She is in the process of achieving her goal of hiking 500 miles by mid-October, after virtually no hiking experience prior to this April.
5) Once while hiking a trail on her own recently, she encountered a wolf, face to face. She and the wolf just calmly looked each other in the eyes, as if they had an understanding, and all was well.
5) She gives Cathleen and I unlimited amounts of wise woman guidance whenever we need it.


7) In addition, she drives this car...


Yep, Elizabeth is the definition of kick-ass.

It's easy to be inspired by others here.

The Grand Tetons

Laura, Cathleen and I (which are also the names of 2 of my sisters) decide to take a trip to Grand Teton National Park for an overnight trip. I thought it might be fun to stay just a step up from a tent, so I called the Teton Lodging Co. and was delighted to find an opening for a tent-cabin at Colter Bay in Jackson Lake. A tent-cabin, I learned, is a structure with 2 log walls and 2 canvas walls and a canvas ceiling. It has 4 bunks and a wood stove for heat. And all for just $59! Excellent.

We first arrive to our tent-cabin...



Hmmmm...


Well...

Somehow I am starting to think I didn't hit a home run on this one...

The girls seem a little deflated. Well, we'll make the best of it anyway. Even if our beds are hanging from chains.

We head about an hour south into the town of Jackson, WY.

The entrance to the town square is an arch made entirely of antlers...




Jackson's version of the horse drawn carriage...


After some time in town, and a delicious thai food dinner at Teton Thai (I hadn't had thai food in over 2 months and missed it so much!) we drive on back to the Tetons.

The sun sets slowly on the Tetons...




Sunset in campgroundland...


For some reason, I awake at dawn, and it feels to be about 35 degrees! Though my friends are sleeping, I assume they are cold, too. So, I bravely go where I have not gone before, and build a fire from scratch in the little, rusty wood stove. And believe it or not - it worked! The fire lasted for nearly 3 hours. I was so proud - not just because I built a fire but because I was also providing warmth for my friends. Now I can pitch a tent AND build a fire. Not bad for a city girl.


Since I am awake at dawn I may as well take advantage of it and capture the sky...


We decide to eat our breakfast later on a dock on Jackson Lake...

A lightening storm eventually moves us off, but it sure was cool to see lightening over the Tetons.