Proud

This week I have been reflecting on the National Park idea and how truly spectacular it all is.  Everytime I get close enough to a town to hear the radio, I hear a lot about the political scene heating up and I am just so glad that something this unifying exists. I am trying to remember and share with visitors how much this park truly belongs to them/us. It doesn't matter what kind of American you are. These places are yours. We do have lots of rules and guidelines but they are truly good and have been an idea, if not actualized, since the beginning. There is even a call to preserve the park for future persons, those that don't even exist right now. And this grand idea is actually being realized and practiced daily. Sure, it isn't perfect but we are actually safe guarding something alturistic, beautiful, and good. There are laws that limit pillaging and hypocrisy.  It's shockingly fabulous!

Lazy Sunday (Monday)

There is a certain beauty to free wifi, Jackson Lake Lodge, a view of the Tetons through the huge picture window, and a Snake River Lager. Hanging (100 yards away) with a little male yearling grizz on the way here made it even better.

I am enjoying the quiet of the house and location and are so glad to be here. Last week I checked out  two hikes that leave from our back yard; one of the hikes lead to a gorgeous waterfall. We laughed as we post-holed through the snow drifts and many times wound up with snow in our boots. On both hikes we saw lots of animal signs and scat (bison! moose! bear! wolf!). We have a few boar grizzlies that hang out near our abode and we like walking down to the river to see them in the evenings (packing bear spray, of course).   Other exciting sightings (from friends) in the area include moose and wolves but so far we haven't seen any so far.
Work life is wonderful, tomorrow I will give my first program which is on day hiking in bear country. I'll be giving 8 programs in total and love being able to choose what I want to study and teach.  It's been nice having this new job and new experiences. I had a great time during our 3 weeks of training and met some incredible people from all over the country. The hubs is loving it too- already having wild experiences including lots of snow and wind to make the roads especially fun for visitors. His birthday is at the end of the week and we'll celebrate with a nice dinner out (a luxury for sure) as we both requested to get off early.
We are forever seeking the joy of being alive. 

What a ride

I am officially here and honestly, it feels like home. The past few days have been full of smiles and warm greetings and stories, many stories. Our over-wintering friends are pulling themselves out of their winter dens (bears and humans) and embracing the spring that is arriving rather quickly. Although, for the humans at least, having all these people around again must take some getting used to. Their exuberance for our tales of adventures back East is refreshing and really kind. Yes, there is a lot of warmth in being back here even if the snow is still hip-high in places.

Training is underway and I have really enjoyed it. My time deep in the interior meeting new friends and seeing elk, marten, grizzlies, and water fowl at the lake has been wonderful. Two more weeks of training follow for me and yes, I'll enjoy my four days of "in town" training. I'll admit to dreaming of draft beers already. I am most excited for the day when we meet with some of the best resource experts in the country and learn all about the wildlife in depth. The training has been incredible so far and really has been stretching me.

My response from a piece of training asking why the park is relevant to me:

I find relevance in the wildness of this place. Wilderness here is the unique opportunity to be a part of an ecosystem, a participant, in a very real way. To see wild things and sleep in wild places creates something new inside of us. There is a certainty of your being in possession of the qualities of LIFE when you are here. There is no holding space or keeping time you must certainly be alive. The park not only encourages alertness, awe, excitement, humility it REQUIRES it. Reverence and respect are a given.

And the countdown begins

21 days... My life is full of lists right now- mental and physical lists of all I need to do, what I need to pack, where I need to find it, and what I want to experience when I am there. THERE. The word of those who move, who travel, who explore. The journey is important (some say it's everything) but for me, after three years, the physicality of being THERE feels pretty special too. 

I picture the house with the horses corralled behind it and although I've never been inside, I can already imagine being there. I always picture it in full summer sun but realize the reality will most likely be snowy and gray for a bit as May in Wyoming's northern corner usually is. Leaving 70 degree days of summer-so-close-you-can-taste-it (with wild edible hunting, gardens growing, baby animals maturing, and sun shining) for a little piece of heaven with spring still on the way. The spectacle of reawakening is just beginning when I arrive each year... I travel back in time and relive it again. That is worth it.


For now, it's counting down days of work left (less than 12 for me) and trying to remember where exactly the stove fuel is. Or taking out my brand new hiking boots for small hikes in order to prevent blistering and to attempt a gradual breaking in. I savor every East Coast draft straight from the brewery, every wild-picked morel mushroom, every taste of local honey, every sushi date and bluegrass music event, every smiling face of the loved ones I have at home. I think of places we just have to try or to hike once more before we head OUT WEST. I am a migrator whose wings are itching and head is filled with the opportunities that await me. What program will I give first? Which favorite hike will I do first? How many bears will I see that first month (I saw at least 12 bears last May)?
I am ready to find out...