"Old Faithful," the Inn that is!

Good Afternoon You All,

I am sitting in the Old Faithful Inn about 39 miles north of where I reside in the Park. This my "Ranger Sunday," Saturday to you all. My reason for coming here today is to get some exercise by walking the Geyser Basin, relax in the Inn, and be able to use my broadband. As I said before, or at least think I did, I get no coverage at the south entrance. Oh yeah, I must not forget the "pulled pork sandwich and mac & cheese I had at the Lodge. Had to do the walk to earn it.

This job as a "Gate Ranger" is much tougher than I first thought. Now that I have come close to mastering the cash register and the shift reports, it is the 9 hour days that are killing me. Plus, I only sleep about 6 hours a night. I feel exhausted most of the time. I

do get into the minuscule gym we have as much as I can (did some weight training this morning before leaving) but am pretty worn out after work. Most trails in the park are either still under snow or closed for bear foraging until July. Thought about hiking a bit in the Tetons, but there are a couple of Grizzlies with cubs in the places I would most likely frequent. That is the reason I came here to walk the 2+ miles of boardwalks for exercise.

ON my 3 day "weekend" last Thursday through Saturday I went to Jackson one day and to Bozeman, MT. over night the next two. My friend Cindy (Mooselee) Henry went with me. We "shopped until we dropped," as the saying goes. The only thing missing was my friend Ranger Bob (the younger), her husband. However, he was with us in thought and conversation. On our way out of Bozeman we stopped off to see our mutual friend and artist, DG House. She was having and "Open House" at her studio. It was nice seeing her. She is just so effervescent and congenial. It looks like Bozeman will be a destination for me at least a couple more times this season.

I have another 3 day weekend next week and need to figure out a place to go. I cannot sit down at the south entrance in my quarters for those days. Would love to go to Lander and visit Ron and Brooke Chesley but Ron is still in AZ dealing with some medical stuff. I am considering a possible trip to Cody over night. It would not be my first choice but have not been to the Buffalo Bill Museum in a few years, and there is a "Super Wal*Mart" and "Sierra Trading Post" outlet store there. It is nice to have the 3 days off every other week but it is difficult to figure out what to do with those days if it is not reasonable to do much hiking with all the snow and bear closures.

Tasha and Jason are doing well in Okinawa. They are going out and getting more exercise. She is on a strict regimen of varying forms of exercise, yoga, and concocting healthy recipes. Tasha may have some acting opportunities coming up but I will let her tell folks about that. I am happy that they are happy and doing so well.

Niece Kelly and her daughters Olivia and Ava are moving to Colorado to join her sister Kimberley and her family in the "Rocky Mountains." It will be fun to be able to visit both of them in one place again. Dennis, my nephew-in-law (Kimby's husband) has gotten her a good job, so Kudos to him! It is an exciting new adventure for them and I wish them well.

Movies: So far have only seen a one since my last blog. I have foregone both the new Pirates & Hangover II because of some bad reviews and a lack of desire to see them. Yesterday I went to Speilberg and Abbram's new film, Super 8. It was a very satisfying and enjoyable movie hearkening back to ET, but a bit darker.

That's about it from rainy/snowy, but sometimes sunny Yellowstone National Park. They say some my favorite trails like Mt. Washburn, will not be "hikeable" until the end of July to first part of August. It is going to be a short season for hiking this year. By-the-by, have been here a little over month now . . . almost 4 to go! I kind of miss my condo and Flagstaff.

Cheers All