Winter

Well, it's been awhile since my last post but that happens now and again. :) Things with me are going well. I have settled into life at Jackson Lake Lodge and the exciting news is that I have already been promoted! My new position is Reservations Supervisor and the position even comes with a free apartment. They are currently finishing putting in new floors and I should get to move in after the fist of the year. It's tiny, but it will be nice to have my own place (and not have to pay for it). Anyways here are just a couple of pictures for your viewing enjoyment. This was one night after work as the sun was just setting. We have had a ton of snow so far this winter. In fact the snow outside my door is currently hip deep. This weekend alone we had 16 inches fall. Crazy.

I'm heading home to Boise this afternoon for the holidays and am really looking forward to being back in Idaho for a bit and seeing all the family.

Sunset on Jackson Lake

Psalm 121: 1
I will lift up my eyes to the mountains.....

Last trip to Yellowstone

This Sunday Ross and I headed into Yellowstone for one last tour of Yellowstone before the roads close for winter. We toured the Lower Loop stopping at Mud Volcano, Canyon, Norris Geyser Basin, Gibbon Falls, Firehole Lake drive and Old Faithful. It was a gorgeous day and we had a great time, the only animals we saw were bison and coyotes though. Farewell Yellowstone. See you again in 6 months!

The 2010 Capital Christmas Tree

This year the 2010 U.S. Capital Christmas Tree comes from the Bridger-Teton National Forest. More specifically it came from the Pacific Creek area which is about 5 miles from where I currently live. On Saturday the tree was cut down and then made it's way to Jackson for a send off celebration. The tree is now on its way touring the state of Wyoming before making it's journey to Washington D.C. where it will be lit in early December. It is an absolutely gorgeous tree and the fact that it comes from my backyard is exciting.

The First Snow and Dog sitting

My first Monday here is snowed. Actually it started snowing on Sunday night and I think is stopped sometime on Tuesday. In all I think it snowed about a foot and a half! Oh my, I could be in for a crazy winter with lots of snow.

This week I also was pet-sitting for my friends the Robinsons who live in a house at Jackson Lake Dam. Let's just say it was quite an adventure. The three cats were actually not too much of a problem. The problem all laid with the deaf, half blind and VERY old dog. The dog barked almost 100% of the 4 days I was watching him. He was barking when I left for work, barking when I came home, barking the WHOLE night through. And by WHOLE night, I mean the ENTIRE night! Grrrr.... Then came the adventures of cleaning up after him, feeding him (he will only eat heart)and getting him to go to the bathroom. In most places letting your dog outside to go to the bathroom is hardly an adventure. In most places though you are not living in the woods, a few miles from the closest house, in over a foot of snow and trying to fight off a fox who just wants to eat the dog as a snack. Oh my! Needless to say I went into Jackson the day I finished pet-sitting and treated myself to dinner with a friend.

Moran, Wyoming

The day after I left Yellowstone I started my new job at the Grand Teton Lodge Company. My office is located inside Jackson Lake Lodge and I live on the grounds there. The above picture is of my new place. And here is the view. I can still hardly believe I get to work here and can see the Grand every morning on my walk to work!

My new dorm is really nice, even though I still have a lot of unpacking to do. We each have our own room and bathroom. Then, in the center of the dorm building, there is a common living room and kitchen. I am BEYOND excited about the fact that I have my own kitchen again. The nice thing is that only a couple of us girls actually use the kitchen so it stays clean and we don't have to worry about other people taking our food.

As for my job I am working in the reservation office for GTLC. I already I know I love working in a reservation office and so far I am really liking working here. I think this is a great new change for me and I am really looking forward to everything that is to come.

Leaving Yellowstone

The last day of my summer contract was October 20th. The above picture is of my view as I was leaving Mammoth, the hotel and my office in the rear view mirror. It was another fantastic 6 months working for Xanterra and I truly cherish all the new friends I made this year.

And with that, I have left Yellowstone. Again.