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...