Horses, Chevy Cars and Chainsaws

So you know by now that I'm working as a Reservations Sales Agent so that I can live in Yellowstone for a couple of months. I've never worked at a job where I answer people's questions all day long before. At first I didn't know if I'd be able to stand it! But because I love the Park so much, most of the time I am happy and excited to help people plan their trips. Of course, the occasional funny callers make the day more juicy...

Caller #1

In addition to booking rooms and cabins in the Park, we also book dinner reservations at the fancier dining rooms, and activities such as horseback riding, bus tours, guided fishing boat tours, old west cookout reservations, and stagecoach rides to name a few. (Makes you want to come visit, eh?) Anywho, we have 3 rules that we have to pass along to anyone who wishes to horseback ride in Yellowstone:

1) Everyone must be at least 4 feet tall

2) be at least 8 years old

3) and weigh 240lbs or less.

So, I get a friendly man who calls, and it goes like this:

Friendly Man: "Yes, I just have a quick question for you. I'm signed up for horseback riding 2 weeks from now when I'll be in Yellowstone..."

Me: "Great!"

Friendly Man: "Yeah, I'm looking forward to it. My question is... well... what if a person... depending on the day... is a few pounds over or a few pounds under 240lbs?... You know, what if that day I'm over 240 by a couple of pounds... will the wrangler not let me on the horse?" He chuckles nervously...

Me: I chuckle back. "Not to worry - it's not like the wranglers have a scale there to weigh you or something like that! You will be just fine. As long as you're close to 240, it will be great."

Friendly Man: Laughs. "Ok, great. Thanks so much!"

WELL... it turns out that I mention this to a couple of my fellow reservationists over dinner that night in passing, and they all look at me silently for a moment. "What?" I ask. They go on to inform me that the wranglers indeed DO have a scale to weigh people that are in question. "Oh no!!!" I exclaim. I must've missed that piece of information during training. Guess the wranglers just don't fool around here in Wyoming.

I hope the friendly man laid off the extra cookie the day before the horseback ride.

Caller #2

A man from California calls to book a room for one night this summer.

...

Me: "Well, I have one room available that night, and it is at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel, which is right on Yellowstone Lake. The room has 2 queen beds, a full bath, and is located on the frontside of the hotel. The rate with taxes and fees for the night would be $244.91."

Cali Man: "That sounds good. But what does 'frontside room' mean?"

Me: "That just means it is on the side of the hotel that faces the lake. Though, we have to say that none of the rooms on the frontside specifically have a view overlooking the lake because there are some trees in front of the hotel."

Cali Man: "No problem. I'll just bring my chainsaw."

Me: "Perfect!"

Caller #3

An older-sounding man calls, and has endured a long wait time on the phone that day to ask only one specific question. I can hear the anxiety in his voice...

Worried Man: "Hi. I have one question for you. I'm supposed to come out to Yellowstone in 4 days, and I'll be driving out there. I had everything all set, and then my friend told me that I need to rent an SUV to drive into Yellowstone. He told me I can't drive my Chevy Impala in the Park. Is that true? Can you tell me honestly? Do I have to rent an SUV?"

Now, I don't know too much about cars, but I happen to know EXACTLY what a Chevy Impala is... because my Dad owned a baby blue one in the early nineties, and happened to drive me and my date to my high school Winter Ball in it. (Thank you, Dad! ;-D) I also know that the Impala has a long back end, and he may be worried about it dragging, should he need to go up a steep incline. But I have been on all of the roads throughout the park and know that none of the inclines are that steep.

Me: Reassuringly, "You absolutely can drive your Impala in the Park. All of the roads here are paved, and you will be just fine."

Worried Man does not yet sound convinced. "But my friend says I can't. He says I have to drive an SUV."

Maybe this guy needs a new friend.

Me: "Right now I am actually looking out into the parking lot here, in Mammoth Hot Springs, and I see cars and trucks of all different shapes and sizes, RV's, and even motorcycles and bicycles. You can definitely bring your Impala here."

Worried Man: "Ok, thank you... thank you so much!" He sounds relieved.

Guess the visual helped.

:)