Day 20-Posted a few days late, sorry.

Day 20

Sorry for the lack of blog updates. The lack of Internet connection and cell phone reception has made for some trying moments this past week. We are so spoiled by our ability to access the Internet anytime/any place but more on that later.

It has been a lovely week in Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. When we arrived at our campsite last Wednesday, we were pleasantly surprised to have Memphis neighbors 3 sites down. What are the odds? Not only were they from Memphis but they were from Midtown. Seriously, what are the odds?

We had never met Bailey and Katy Leopard but we had so many mutual friends that
it was shocking that we didn't know each other. They were in the area with Katy's Mom and Step dad, plus their awesome 3 kids. We all had a busy week coming and going but did get to sit around the campfire having dinner last night. They are delightful and after seeing nothing but the 4 of us all week, it was certainly nice to have some other peeps to talk to. We look forward to getting together with them when we are back in Memphis.

We have seen some amazing sights this week. Yellowstone is impossible to put into words. It is truly otherworldly. Logically, I knew about the geysers, the mud pots, the hot spots, the volcano, the wildlife but to see it in person is an entirely different experience. There were stops we made like the Mud Volcano or Grand Prismatic Springs that defy description. I kept saying "wow" or "how could this be?" When John Colter split from the Lewis and Clarke party to head north, he was the first white man to discover Yellowstone. He wrote back to Washington, DC to tell them of his findings only to have Washington think he had lost his mind. I totally understand why they thought he was nuts. No pictures of Yellowstone that I have ever seen do it justice. It is MIND BLOWING. My only complaint is that Yellowstone is HUGE which means A LOT of time in the car traveling from place to place. We haven't gotten to do much hiking because we have been so swamped just trying to see some of the basics.

The Grand Tetons might just be my favorite place thus far. Something about the stark, twisted, craggy Tetons are truly inspiring. We took a 10 mile float down the snake river early Saturday morning to get up close and personal with the Grand Tetons.

Our guide, Jake, is an Arkansan who has been transplanted indefinately to Wyoming. He was highly entertaining and informative. We saw a juvenile bald eagle being coached by his mother from the opposite side of the river. Very cool.

We went and had a great dinner and watched the sunset at the Jackson Lake Lodge one night. This lodge is BEAUTIFUL with 64 foot windows looking out through dense willow flats, over the Snake river and up to the top of the tetons. Elk roam freely as does Grizzly Bear #399 with her 3 cubs. She is one of the most studied bears in the NPS. I attached a link to learn more about her. http://www.nrmsc.usgs.gov/files/norock/products/JH_Mag0608_bear399_web.pdf
We never got to see her but we feel like we know her.

Yesterday it rained a good portion of the day and we all took a much needed mental health day. Our campsite is wet which makes everthing harder. We were originally scheduled out today to head north into Montana but decided to postpone a day so that we, hopefully, dry out a bit. This will make packing a lot easier.

Both Eli and Fannie Leigh have learned to juggle during the downtime. Of course they are fighting over who does it better but it is lovely to see them try and accomplish something that they wouldn't have at home because of the TV. We did; however, break down and watch a group movie on my computer yesterday during the rain. Pretty in Pink. I know, sad, but it seemed good at the time. I even watched the DVD special features. Uber lame! Oh, and to clarify, Mike refused to watch.

We have now taken advantage of the heater in the popup. The dampness makes everything colder. We have discovered that our stinky, dirty clothes really foul up the camper quickly. So, laundry must be done every couple of days if we want to enjoy where we sleep. We also have 2 kids that are not particularly interested in showering routinely without force which doesn't help. We might have to institue the sleep outside if you haven't showered rule.

Making the bed in the popup is a huge headache. The kids don't bother but I can't function without ours made. Space is still a premium. When we were in Colorado, Mike built us a shelving unit that fits snugly between the sink and stove. It has proven essential to our experience. (FYI, Mike has managed to find every local hardware store in every small town we have been in to purchase things)We are seriously considering shipping some things home as we have to keep most things in the camper or car due to the serious bear precautions. BE BEAR AWARE! One day we came home and the ranger had taken EVERYTHING we had outside and confiscated it. He left a note telling us where we could come get it.These were bins of tools, towels, or cleaning supplies but apparently all of it is now contraband. Just to be clear, we had no FOOD outside at all. They actually request that our food goes into the car at night as oppose to the popup because it isn't "hard sided". They don't even want your clothes that you used to cook with in a dirty clothes pile that is in the popup. Although we totally understand and do not want to contribute to the bear problem, it is a pain in the a.....

We are also getting better at dutch oven cooking. We made some mighty tasty Jambalaya last night but the night before we didn't eat until 10:30 due to some "problems" with the coals. That's what Mike called it anyway. It was good when we ate it but it took a while. Thanks to Dutch Oven for Dummies, we understand how to bake better now and made some fine biscuits one morning. There are a lot of trials and tribulations with cooking but worth the learning.

Everything camping takes A LOT longer-especially dishes. Eli is in charge of the fire. Fannie Leigh is a big help with the dishes. Of course, Mike is never happy with anyone's dishes effort but his own.

It stays lighter out west so much later. Many nights we aren't eating dinner until 9:00ish because it is seems like 7:00 Memphis time. And, we are so happy to have brought our bikes. Totally worth the hassle as we can head for a bike ride through the campground after dinner many nights.

And, oh, the interesting folks you get a chance to observe in the campground when here for an extended stay. Truly a whole different kind of wildlife viewing. Mike and I were fairly convinced that a man in a redhooded sweatsuit was out to get us when we went for a joint 4:30 AM bathroom run the other night. Fortunately, he disappeared into the foggy night never to be seen again.

Today, We ended our Yellowstone experience by heading to West Yellowstone to see the Grizzly and Wolf Discovey Center. This is a place where bears and wolves are given a second chance or are rehabilitated. Not for re-release but to save them from being put down. It is nice that you get an opportunity to see them up close. Very informative and interesting place.

This week, We also got to spend a little time in Jackson Hole, Wyoming which seems like a groovy town. A bit high-fulitin for us campers but we had fun. I actually went to the local public library to make use of their quiet, wi-fi space. It was 60 miles from the campsite. When I got there, the wi-fi was so clogged with other folks using it that I couldn't make any headway. Total bummer for me so I had my first breakdown of the trip. Hopefully, it will be the only one. We did have a really yummy meal at Cafe Genevieve in Jackson Hole after I recovered. Mamma's emotional mess meant that Eli and Fannie Leigh fought alot less that day because they thought I was losing my mind. This was a nice little break from the chronic fighting of those two.

Unfortunately today, we talked to Mom who had to put her 5 year old Scottie Dog, McDuff, to sleep Monday night. Sadness all around but he had been suffering from Meningitis for several months and was getting worse. She seemed pretty good considering the circumstances. We felt a little homesick that we weren't around for support.

So, this week, I have felt my first longings for home. Not that we aren't having a great time, it is just that 3 weeks in, there are moments of missing our beloved Dory Jo and Ozzie. I know Amy Beth is providing them the best care possible. She even brings Dory to [the eclectic eye] once a week so the staff can love on her. How good is Dory's life? Plus, I miss my family, my friends, my neighbors and neighborhood, tennis, my job. Or, I really miss being able to do my job easier than I have been able to the past week 1600 miles from home. (Honestly, I toyed with a flight home to fix some of the problems I was having on Monday but a margarita helped me gain perspective!)

Thank goodness for our amazing crew at [the eclectic eye] who continue to make us proud by so loyally holding down the fort while we take this mini-sabbatical. Bramlett has gotten fedex packages delivered to me in Wyoming with addresses that say things like: "2 Miles South of Yellowstone" and I have gotten them! Not easily gotten them, but gotten them. She even had one sent to Ethan care of the National Park Service. Plus, with amazing efficiency, she has kept all administrative things moving, helped train new doctors during our absence, and bought her own house in Collierville over the last few weeks. Aaron and Kyra continue to make it happen at both locations all while being short staffed and having 2 new doctors. Plus, we get such nice, supportive notes from the rest of the staff (Thanks Lindy!), wishing us well, etc. 

Today I am grateful for all that we have seen, all we have left to see and the time I have gotten to spend with Mike, Eli and Fannie Leigh enjoying their company. I really like these people. Oh, and I posted a new slide show so enjoy.