6-28 (Sun)
I stayed in bed until 7:30 this morning then threw my laundry in the machines before going to breakfast. It is a gorgeous day, the sun is shining and it is warm but not hot.
After church I went to eat. Everyone was talking about how bad the food was last night. One person actually got sick on their way out of the EDR. Unfortunately I saw evidence of that. One of the girls I was eating with today said a mouse ran across her face last night! I would have died.
I took a hike down to the camping site. When I came back I walked way up on the hill behind the dorm.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
6-27 (Sat)
I didn’t sleep well last night. I wasn’t sleepy when I went to bed and then I was cold most of the night. I had my window closed and was under two blankets but I was still cold. This morning I could hardly get up and then I couldn’t hold my eyes open.
A woman was walking behind me on the way to breakfast this morning. When we got to the EDR she asked me if I saw the buffalo that walked right behind me. I said, “no.” She told me one crossed the road just a few feet me. I couldn’t believe I didn’t see it.
I was worn out by the time 5:00 came today. Mainly my voice was tired. Carol and her husband Bruce (from NC) invited me to their room tonight for Margaritas. They drove here from NC. They even brought a small refrigerator! Below are pictures of Carol making the Margaritas on top of her fridge.
I didn’t sleep well last night. I wasn’t sleepy when I went to bed and then I was cold most of the night. I had my window closed and was under two blankets but I was still cold. This morning I could hardly get up and then I couldn’t hold my eyes open.
A woman was walking behind me on the way to breakfast this morning. When we got to the EDR she asked me if I saw the buffalo that walked right behind me. I said, “no.” She told me one crossed the road just a few feet me. I couldn’t believe I didn’t see it.
I was worn out by the time 5:00 came today. Mainly my voice was tired. Carol and her husband Bruce (from NC) invited me to their room tonight for Margaritas. They drove here from NC. They even brought a small refrigerator! Below are pictures of Carol making the Margaritas on top of her fridge.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
6-26 (Fri)
I was talking to a woman on the phone today who really liked me. When we were finished with the reservation she said she wanted to write to my supervisors and tell them how wonderful I was. I gave her an email address and thanked her. When I came back from my afternoon break I saw Karen, one of the “upper” employees. She stopped me and said she had gotten a fabulous email about one of the reservation agents. She said the woman who wrote the email went on and on about how wonderful the agent was etc etc. Karen said the email was about you, Nancy. Karen said she forwarded it to my boss and all the supervisors over me. It was really nice of the woman to actually send the email and of Karen to tell me and to send it on to my supervisors. Maybe I am doing better. Actually I don’t have any trouble taking to the people. They give me compliments all the time but this one actually took the time to write something.
I was talking to a woman on the phone today who really liked me. When we were finished with the reservation she said she wanted to write to my supervisors and tell them how wonderful I was. I gave her an email address and thanked her. When I came back from my afternoon break I saw Karen, one of the “upper” employees. She stopped me and said she had gotten a fabulous email about one of the reservation agents. She said the woman who wrote the email went on and on about how wonderful the agent was etc etc. Karen said the email was about you, Nancy. Karen said she forwarded it to my boss and all the supervisors over me. It was really nice of the woman to actually send the email and of Karen to tell me and to send it on to my supervisors. Maybe I am doing better. Actually I don’t have any trouble taking to the people. They give me compliments all the time but this one actually took the time to write something.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
6-23 (Tues)
I didn’t have to go in to work until 1:00 today. 1-5. Carol, one of the new girls, who lives down the hall paid me a visit this morning. There is no place to sit so I invited her to sit on the bed. Then I went down to see her room. She has pictures of her grandchildren all over the walls. Her husband, Bruce, is having a HARD time in the kitchen. I don’t know that he is going to last.
It was so nice only working the four hours today. After dinner tonight Gary and Dave (two of the security guards) asked me to go on a walk with them. We walked the old Gardiner Rd. Dave walked part way with us then turned around and went back. Gary and I continued on the five miles to Gardiner. He wanted me to go into town and have a drink but by then it was 9:30 and since I had to get up at 5:30 and it was beginning to get dark I thought I’d better get back. The first car I saw coming into the park I stuck out my thumb. They stopped and gave us a ride back to the dorms.
I didn’t have to go in to work until 1:00 today. 1-5. Carol, one of the new girls, who lives down the hall paid me a visit this morning. There is no place to sit so I invited her to sit on the bed. Then I went down to see her room. She has pictures of her grandchildren all over the walls. Her husband, Bruce, is having a HARD time in the kitchen. I don’t know that he is going to last.
It was so nice only working the four hours today. After dinner tonight Gary and Dave (two of the security guards) asked me to go on a walk with them. We walked the old Gardiner Rd. Dave walked part way with us then turned around and went back. Gary and I continued on the five miles to Gardiner. He wanted me to go into town and have a drink but by then it was 9:30 and since I had to get up at 5:30 and it was beginning to get dark I thought I’d better get back. The first car I saw coming into the park I stuck out my thumb. They stopped and gave us a ride back to the dorms.
Monday, June 22, 2009
6-22 (Mon)
Jenny and I left Mammoth in her car headed for the geyser basin. We took side roads and saw a mother elk that had crossed the river from her two calves. We kept watching until they started calling to her and she crossed back over the river which was very swift. We wondered how she would get across.
She went to the least swift part and then turned her body sideways as she edged herself to the side where the calves were. Once she got over they came across the hill to her side and they were all reunited.
It was freezing cold. If it hadn’t been for the wind (I’m guessing 30-40 mph) it probably would have been okay. The sun was shining most of the time. I had on my thermal underwear, both the top and bottom. I had on my fingerless gloves that I bought in Argentina, my wool cap from Peru and my Arctic down lined coat with the hood pulled up and the part that goes across the mouth firmly velcroed in place.
The first picture of a geyser erupting is white dome at the Fire Lake area. We were just getting ready to leave when it blew. It was also in this area that we saw buffalo lying down with their young. You can distinguish the young because they are very red in color. The Yellowstone workers call them “Red Dogs.”
We ended up at Old Faithful. We wanted to check out the three lodging facilities there so we would know what we were talking about when we tried to sell it. There must have been many tours arriving at the same time at the Inn because when we went in we couldn’t even see what the place looked like for all the people. It soon cleared out.
We got a sandwich in the bar and enjoyed sitting, talking and observing the guests. We dropped a little money at the gift shop before going outside to see Old Faithful erupt. We toured the Lodge and the Snow Lodge before leaving for home. We got back to Mammoth by 9 p.m. We stopped and took a picture of the mountains as we approached.
Jenny and I left Mammoth in her car headed for the geyser basin. We took side roads and saw a mother elk that had crossed the river from her two calves. We kept watching until they started calling to her and she crossed back over the river which was very swift. We wondered how she would get across.
She went to the least swift part and then turned her body sideways as she edged herself to the side where the calves were. Once she got over they came across the hill to her side and they were all reunited.
It was freezing cold. If it hadn’t been for the wind (I’m guessing 30-40 mph) it probably would have been okay. The sun was shining most of the time. I had on my thermal underwear, both the top and bottom. I had on my fingerless gloves that I bought in Argentina, my wool cap from Peru and my Arctic down lined coat with the hood pulled up and the part that goes across the mouth firmly velcroed in place.
The first picture of a geyser erupting is white dome at the Fire Lake area. We were just getting ready to leave when it blew. It was also in this area that we saw buffalo lying down with their young. You can distinguish the young because they are very red in color. The Yellowstone workers call them “Red Dogs.”
We ended up at Old Faithful. We wanted to check out the three lodging facilities there so we would know what we were talking about when we tried to sell it. There must have been many tours arriving at the same time at the Inn because when we went in we couldn’t even see what the place looked like for all the people. It soon cleared out.
We got a sandwich in the bar and enjoyed sitting, talking and observing the guests. We dropped a little money at the gift shop before going outside to see Old Faithful erupt. We toured the Lodge and the Snow Lodge before leaving for home. We got back to Mammoth by 9 p.m. We stopped and took a picture of the mountains as we approached.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
This is where I go to church.
My beautiful dorm! Ta.king down the flag
6-21 (Sunday)
My friend Jenny and I decided to go to the rodeo in Gardiner right after work. It had been bad weather with rain and thunder jsut before we left. We decided to try anyway. When we got out there it started raining again so we decided we didn't want to spend $7 to sit in the rain. We stopped by the grocery store so I could get some cereal to snack on in my room. We went to eat at one of the little cafes in town. It was nice to get away from the EDR and everything in Mammoth for a couple of hours.
Today was rainy and cold. The wind went right through me even though I had on my thermal underwear and my fleece. Someone said it might snow Wed but I think if it does it will be in the Canyon area and not where we are. Canyon has a much higher elevation.
Still no roommate and it is wonderful. Today and tomorrow are my days off plus I have a half day off Tues (just for this week) because there aren't enough phones and chairs for everyone since a new training class just finished and will be on the floor with us starting Wed. That probably won't last long because people are leaving all the time.
My friend Jenny and I decided to go to the rodeo in Gardiner right after work. It had been bad weather with rain and thunder jsut before we left. We decided to try anyway. When we got out there it started raining again so we decided we didn't want to spend $7 to sit in the rain. We stopped by the grocery store so I could get some cereal to snack on in my room. We went to eat at one of the little cafes in town. It was nice to get away from the EDR and everything in Mammoth for a couple of hours.
Today was rainy and cold. The wind went right through me even though I had on my thermal underwear and my fleece. Someone said it might snow Wed but I think if it does it will be in the Canyon area and not where we are. Canyon has a much higher elevation.
Still no roommate and it is wonderful. Today and tomorrow are my days off plus I have a half day off Tues (just for this week) because there aren't enough phones and chairs for everyone since a new training class just finished and will be on the floor with us starting Wed. That probably won't last long because people are leaving all the time.
Critters outside my dorm.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
6-16 (Tues)
Last night Karen, one of the girls who lives in my dorm, and also works in reservations threw a birthday party for herself and her friend Angel at Raven’s tonight. She invited me but I said I couldn’t go because it was at Gardiner and of course I don’t have a car. When Gale saw me at dinner tonight she came over and asked me if I would go to the party with her. I told her I would.
Karen has three long tables reserved. Gale and I didn’t know it was for dinner. We ate at the EDR. They all had steak and it smelled really good. Of course everyone paid for their own. There were some people there I hadn’t met before.
I was a little anxious to get back so I could study. After having two days off I was a little nervous I wouldn’t remember anything.
I had to take a little nerve pill at breakfast before going into work.
I actually did much better today than I expected. I only had to call the supervisor about 3-4 times.
I had to take a little nerve pill at breakfast before going into work.
I actually did much better today than I expected. I only had to call the supervisor about 3-4 times. That’s an improvement. When I have my 15 minute break in the morning and in the afternoon I go out and walk or run.
I walked after dinner tonight and took my camera along. I took a few pictures. I decided to stop by the General Store and buy a little bottle of wine for $2. I took it up to the counter to pay and the woman asked for my ID. It wasn’t because she thought I was young but that’s their “policy.” It was so stupid but I didn’t get my wine. Maybe I’ll go back tomorrow with my ID!
Last night Karen, one of the girls who lives in my dorm, and also works in reservations threw a birthday party for herself and her friend Angel at Raven’s tonight. She invited me but I said I couldn’t go because it was at Gardiner and of course I don’t have a car. When Gale saw me at dinner tonight she came over and asked me if I would go to the party with her. I told her I would.
Karen has three long tables reserved. Gale and I didn’t know it was for dinner. We ate at the EDR. They all had steak and it smelled really good. Of course everyone paid for their own. There were some people there I hadn’t met before.
I was a little anxious to get back so I could study. After having two days off I was a little nervous I wouldn’t remember anything.
I had to take a little nerve pill at breakfast before going into work.
I actually did much better today than I expected. I only had to call the supervisor about 3-4 times.
I had to take a little nerve pill at breakfast before going into work.
I actually did much better today than I expected. I only had to call the supervisor about 3-4 times. That’s an improvement. When I have my 15 minute break in the morning and in the afternoon I go out and walk or run.
I walked after dinner tonight and took my camera along. I took a few pictures. I decided to stop by the General Store and buy a little bottle of wine for $2. I took it up to the counter to pay and the woman asked for my ID. It wasn’t because she thought I was young but that’s their “policy.” It was so stupid but I didn’t get my wine. Maybe I’ll go back tomorrow with my ID!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
6-14 (Sunday)
When I got to the EDR this morning there was a big buffalo blocking the way in. Thankfully there are two doors so I was able to go around to the other one and get in. Some of the people from the next reservations training class were in there eating breakfast. I hated thinking about what they are facing.
The EDR , , , oh, my gosh! We eat on plastic trays with dividing sections. We can get starch from the hot line (various types) or we have a choice of two kinds of soup. There is a place where we can make sandwiches with different lunch meats and there is a salad bar with all kinds of fruit, most is not fresh. There is lettuce, olives, cheeses, tomatoes, onions, tofu, etc. There is an area where you get soft drinks, tea, water or fruit juices. We always have dessert. When we get to the part of the line where we will get our food we have to show our ID card and give the server our ID number. After we have gotten what we want to eat we sit down at one of the long tables or at one of the single tables for four. When we have swallowed all the starch we want we take our tray to what I call the slop area. We throw our silverware into three separate containers, one for spoons, one for knives etc. We toss anything that is left in our glass into a sort of trough drain. There is a huge garbage container lined with a plastic bag. We turn our blue plastic tray upside down and bang it several times to get rid of any food into the can. Next to the garbage can is a plastic container where we stack our trays. That garbage can is so gross. It reminds me of the movie, Animal House!
On my way back to the dorm this morning I saw two huge jackrabbits in the parking lot. Boy, can they jump! Their feet are about a foot long.
In one of my recent blogs I said I saw big horn goats, my friend Wendy, pointed out to me that they were probably sheep and not goats. She is absolutely right, I misspoke/miswrote - they were sheep.
I went to church this morning at the little chapel. It was very homey. I walked with some of the married couples from my dorm.
Is anyone interested in driving my car out here and then flying home? OR does anyone have an idea how I could get it here? All suggestions are welcome.
This afternoon I walked up the hill behind our dorm and then over to the corrals. There is an old cemetery near the corrals that was interesting. Some of the grave markers date back to the late 1800’s. Many of them are children.
When I got to the EDR this morning there was a big buffalo blocking the way in. Thankfully there are two doors so I was able to go around to the other one and get in. Some of the people from the next reservations training class were in there eating breakfast. I hated thinking about what they are facing.
The EDR , , , oh, my gosh! We eat on plastic trays with dividing sections. We can get starch from the hot line (various types) or we have a choice of two kinds of soup. There is a place where we can make sandwiches with different lunch meats and there is a salad bar with all kinds of fruit, most is not fresh. There is lettuce, olives, cheeses, tomatoes, onions, tofu, etc. There is an area where you get soft drinks, tea, water or fruit juices. We always have dessert. When we get to the part of the line where we will get our food we have to show our ID card and give the server our ID number. After we have gotten what we want to eat we sit down at one of the long tables or at one of the single tables for four. When we have swallowed all the starch we want we take our tray to what I call the slop area. We throw our silverware into three separate containers, one for spoons, one for knives etc. We toss anything that is left in our glass into a sort of trough drain. There is a huge garbage container lined with a plastic bag. We turn our blue plastic tray upside down and bang it several times to get rid of any food into the can. Next to the garbage can is a plastic container where we stack our trays. That garbage can is so gross. It reminds me of the movie, Animal House!
On my way back to the dorm this morning I saw two huge jackrabbits in the parking lot. Boy, can they jump! Their feet are about a foot long.
In one of my recent blogs I said I saw big horn goats, my friend Wendy, pointed out to me that they were probably sheep and not goats. She is absolutely right, I misspoke/miswrote - they were sheep.
I went to church this morning at the little chapel. It was very homey. I walked with some of the married couples from my dorm.
Is anyone interested in driving my car out here and then flying home? OR does anyone have an idea how I could get it here? All suggestions are welcome.
This afternoon I walked up the hill behind our dorm and then over to the corrals. There is an old cemetery near the corrals that was interesting. Some of the grave markers date back to the late 1800’s. Many of them are children.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
6-12 (Fri)
Today I put one guy on hold while I waited for a supervisor to help me with something. He didn’t know that I could hear him even though he couldn’t hear me. First he started talking to his kids about the roaches in the room. Then he started singing, “I’m on hold, oh I spend my life on hold. Why do I have to get put on hold?” It was so funny. When I came back on the line he was very nice and never knew that I heard him singing.
Today I put one guy on hold while I waited for a supervisor to help me with something. He didn’t know that I could hear him even though he couldn’t hear me. First he started talking to his kids about the roaches in the room. Then he started singing, “I’m on hold, oh I spend my life on hold. Why do I have to get put on hold?” It was so funny. When I came back on the line he was very nice and never knew that I heard him singing.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
6-11 (Thurs)
I was on the phones by myself all day today. I did a lot better than I thought I would. I only had to call the supervisor 106 times for help. I hope to only call her 98 times tomorrow.. Just kidding. I did have a Chinese girl from California call me around 11:30. She kept changing her mind and wanting all these different dates and rooms. She said her cell phone was running down because we were on the phone two hours. I know it was 1:30 when I went to lunch and they had finished serving. There was a little salad stuff still out so I ate that.
I ate with the “sisters” from my dorm tonight. I mentioned the “fungus” on my leg and that I needed to get medicine at the pharmacy in Gardiner. They immediately said they would take me as soon as we finished with our dinner. They are the only ones who have offered.
When we went into town tonight we saw some mountain goats high up on a cliff. That was exciting.
I was on the phones by myself all day today. I did a lot better than I thought I would. I only had to call the supervisor 106 times for help. I hope to only call her 98 times tomorrow.. Just kidding. I did have a Chinese girl from California call me around 11:30. She kept changing her mind and wanting all these different dates and rooms. She said her cell phone was running down because we were on the phone two hours. I know it was 1:30 when I went to lunch and they had finished serving. There was a little salad stuff still out so I ate that.
I ate with the “sisters” from my dorm tonight. I mentioned the “fungus” on my leg and that I needed to get medicine at the pharmacy in Gardiner. They immediately said they would take me as soon as we finished with our dinner. They are the only ones who have offered.
When we went into town tonight we saw some mountain goats high up on a cliff. That was exciting.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Outside my dorm last night.
6-10 (Wed)
Some new people must have move in next door and above me. tI could hear the guy above clomping all over his room. It sounded like two girls next door and they were talking real loud and yelling out the window from about 11:30 to 12:00. I was afraid to put in ear plugs for fear I wouldn’t hear my alarm in the morning. If they continue I’m going to report them. Wouldn’t you know I wouldn’t sleep well the night before my first “real” day of work?
When I went to work today I asked if I could observe for awhile. The boss said I could. Before noon I started taking calls on my own and then when I came back from lunch I was at my own station. I was surprised at how well I did. I didn’t really have anything too complicated but it was a good way to start.
It was bright and sunny today but the wind was really cold.
6-9 (Tues)
I had ½ day on the phones yesterday and now I have a day off. I went to the clinic this morning and asked if I could change my appointment from next Monday to this afternoon. They gave me an appointment for 4:00.
Jenny and I went on the Lava Creek Hike. The pictures on this page are of the wildflowers and rivers we saw. We hiked for three and a half hours. I kept telling her I had to be back by 4:00 for my appointment. When we were almost back at our place one of the park employees in a truck gave us a ride to the dorms. We were gone so long we missed lunch. I had some cereal in my room so I didn’t starve. We left Jenny’s car at the trailhead so she will have to get a ride back after dinner to pick it up.
When I got back to my room I saw the van dropping off a bunch of new people with all their luggage. I thought “Oh no, here comes my roommate.” But it was not to be, I dogged another bullet.
I went to the clinic this afternoon because I had something gross on my leg. I was worried it might be melanoma but the doctor said it’s a fungus. I felt much better hearing that. Now to try to find a ride into Gardiner to get the medicine.
After dinner tonight I met some of the new people that that came in today. Two couples are in my dorm and they are going to be doing reservations. I felt sorry for them when they told me that.
I had ½ day on the phones yesterday and now I have a day off. I went to the clinic this morning and asked if I could change my appointment from next Monday to this afternoon. They gave me an appointment for 4:00.
Jenny and I went on the Lava Creek Hike. The pictures on this page are of the wildflowers and rivers we saw. We hiked for three and a half hours. I kept telling her I had to be back by 4:00 for my appointment. When we were almost back at our place one of the park employees in a truck gave us a ride to the dorms. We were gone so long we missed lunch. I had some cereal in my room so I didn’t starve. We left Jenny’s car at the trailhead so she will have to get a ride back after dinner to pick it up.
When I got back to my room I saw the van dropping off a bunch of new people with all their luggage. I thought “Oh no, here comes my roommate.” But it was not to be, I dogged another bullet.
I went to the clinic this afternoon because I had something gross on my leg. I was worried it might be melanoma but the doctor said it’s a fungus. I felt much better hearing that. Now to try to find a ride into Gardiner to get the medicine.
After dinner tonight I met some of the new people that that came in today. Two couples are in my dorm and they are going to be doing reservations. I felt sorry for them when they told me that.
Notice the bridge high above the river.
Notice the low white patch near the middle of the screen. We hiked from before when this picture was taken to that area -where we live.
Notice the low white patch near the middle of the screen. We hiked from before when this picture was taken to that area -where we live.
Monday, June 08, 2009
6-8 (Mon)
We had training for the first part of the morning and then we went into the phone room and listened like we did yesterday. After lunch the trainer came by and told the person we were listening to to let us take the calls. The woman that I had been watching told me that I did great. I knew better. I wouldn’t have had the confidence if she hadn’t been sitting right there.
All the young people from my training class are already on the phones by themselves. One guy in my class, Spencer, had his head down most of the time and was acting totally bored. Yet when the trainer called on him he knew everything. He must have a photographic memory - when we went into some of the rooms for a look he would know the price of each one. He is incredible. When the trainer gave us a task he would be finished with his before I even got started.
Tomorrow I have the day off and then I go on the phones by myself. I don’t have any trouble talking to the people it’s trying to think while they continue to yap. One call I took today the woman must have asked me about every tour in the park. Then she relayed everything to her sister. I must have been on the phone with her for 45 minutes and then she didn’t book anything.
Some young guy that lives right above me in my dorm told me he’s going to come to my room tonight and get me to come upstairs where they play games. I told him I wasn’t coming unless they play “spin the bottle.”
The guy from LA is really rubbing it in my face about the Magic not winning any games.
It was very cold when I was walking home from dinner tonight. It looks like it might rain or snow again. If the weather is nice tomorrow Jenny and I are going on a hike.
The 11 pounds I lost before coming here are returning. This isn’t a place where you can keep your weight off.
It's mainly the computer. It isn't windows based. It's DOS. You don't do anything w/a mouse. Mostly you are using the F keys. F-7 can mean more than one thing. then you have F-13 through F-24, Try to figure out where that is on your keyboard!
Yes Jenny is also in reservations. She is VERY independent and marches to her own drum.
We had training for the first part of the morning and then we went into the phone room and listened like we did yesterday. After lunch the trainer came by and told the person we were listening to to let us take the calls. The woman that I had been watching told me that I did great. I knew better. I wouldn’t have had the confidence if she hadn’t been sitting right there.
All the young people from my training class are already on the phones by themselves. One guy in my class, Spencer, had his head down most of the time and was acting totally bored. Yet when the trainer called on him he knew everything. He must have a photographic memory - when we went into some of the rooms for a look he would know the price of each one. He is incredible. When the trainer gave us a task he would be finished with his before I even got started.
Tomorrow I have the day off and then I go on the phones by myself. I don’t have any trouble talking to the people it’s trying to think while they continue to yap. One call I took today the woman must have asked me about every tour in the park. Then she relayed everything to her sister. I must have been on the phone with her for 45 minutes and then she didn’t book anything.
Some young guy that lives right above me in my dorm told me he’s going to come to my room tonight and get me to come upstairs where they play games. I told him I wasn’t coming unless they play “spin the bottle.”
The guy from LA is really rubbing it in my face about the Magic not winning any games.
It was very cold when I was walking home from dinner tonight. It looks like it might rain or snow again. If the weather is nice tomorrow Jenny and I are going on a hike.
The 11 pounds I lost before coming here are returning. This isn’t a place where you can keep your weight off.
It's mainly the computer. It isn't windows based. It's DOS. You don't do anything w/a mouse. Mostly you are using the F keys. F-7 can mean more than one thing. then you have F-13 through F-24, Try to figure out where that is on your keyboard!
Yes Jenny is also in reservations. She is VERY independent and marches to her own drum.
Sunday, June 07, 2009
6-7 (Sunday)
It’s back to getting up at 5:30. When I got up I peeped outside in hopes that we had gotten a lot of snow overnight. The cars had some on them but not a lot.
Today was another training day. I did much better today than I have in the past. As we looked out the window it began snowing again. This time is covered the ground and the trees. It was so beautiful. I wish I had had my camera. They closed many of the roads and passes in the park.
After lunch the training class went into the room where all the phone people sit. We each sat down beside one of the experienced people. The woman I sat next to, Lois, is from eastern TN. She told me she was so scared when she first started that she didn’t sleep at all the night before. Then when she got on the phone her hands were shaking so hard she could hardly type. She kept trying to reassure me as has everyone else.
By this afternoon the sun was out and all the snow was gone. After dinner I took a walk around our area. I bundled up with my hat and earmuffs. They wind is still very cold.
It’s back to getting up at 5:30. When I got up I peeped outside in hopes that we had gotten a lot of snow overnight. The cars had some on them but not a lot.
Today was another training day. I did much better today than I have in the past. As we looked out the window it began snowing again. This time is covered the ground and the trees. It was so beautiful. I wish I had had my camera. They closed many of the roads and passes in the park.
After lunch the training class went into the room where all the phone people sit. We each sat down beside one of the experienced people. The woman I sat next to, Lois, is from eastern TN. She told me she was so scared when she first started that she didn’t sleep at all the night before. Then when she got on the phone her hands were shaking so hard she could hardly type. She kept trying to reassure me as has everyone else.
By this afternoon the sun was out and all the snow was gone. After dinner I took a walk around our area. I bundled up with my hat and earmuffs. They wind is still very cold.
Saturday, June 06, 2009
6-6 (Fri)
After breakfast I went over to reservations to practice for about an hour and a half. Lu, one of the supervisors came in and talked to me. She is the nicest person. I know she will help me in any way she can. I had a question for her about one of the things we are supposed to do. She didn’t know the answer so she said she was going to go ask one of the other supervisors. She came back and said none of them knew! That made me feel a lot better. She said it isn’t anything I will have to worry about.
I walked over to the post office to see if my medicine has arrived. If it has they don’t have it or at least they don’t know where it is.
I got back to my dorm by 11:00 in time to meet Jenny. We took off in her car to go animal spotting and hiking. We wanted to explore before we went to a cowboy cookout at 4:45 at the Roosevelt Lodge.
Along our way we saw three bears and a moose. We also met up with a couple and their 18 year old so
n from France that are traveling around the world. They shipped their self customized Land Rover in a container from France to Perth, Australia. Then they flew over there and toured around. So far they have been on the road for 10 months. After they did Australia they again shipped the car in a container to LA. They are touring around the western part of the US then will go to Canada and Alaska. Next they will drive down through Mexico and Central America until they get to South America. They will again ship their car to Africa before returning to France. There they are going to drop off their son who is studying to be in the circus (they have his unicycle strapped to the back of the Land Rover) in France and continue on with their travels. If you are interested in seeing any of their pictures especially of what they did to the Land Rover you can go to their website, It’s all in French so you probably won’t be able to read it but you can look. The site is tourdumonde.charlet.free.fr
Jenny and I didn’t get to hike because it started raining. We spent some time in a gift shop instead! It stopped for awhile and we walked down to the Tower Falls which were beautiful.
Tiny cabins at Roosevelt with NO running watweBy then it was time to head over to the Roosevelt Corrals for our covered wagon ride to the cowboy cookout. This was for employees only. It won’t be open to the public until tomorrow night. Employees from all over the park came. We rode in a covered wagon with the group we work with so I was in with the reservation people. For the public it is $60 a head. It is one of the most popular activities in the park and we all understood because it was so much fun. We took nine wagons out to the cookout site in Pleasant Valley. They had a big fire going and made cowboy coffee over it. There was a singer singing cowboy songs and then we ate steak, baked beans, cold slaw, potato salad, apple crisp and watermelon.
On the way back to the corral we saw two buffalo head butting. They say it really gets rough near Sept when they are ready to mate.
One of the girls from reservations was telling me that that she was charged by an elk today when she came out of the employee dining room. She ran back inside when someone yelled to her to “look out.” They are ready to drop their calves now and aren’t in the best of moods.
Another young girl on our wagon told us she lives in and grew up in Gardiner, 5 miles from the north entrance. Her family hunts and kills all the meat they eat: deer, elk, buffalo and some other kinds. She said in high school they would have to stop the football games many times because buffalo would wander onto the field. They would have to have a time out until security could move them off the field. She also said when a kid got detention the punishment would be to spend an hour shoveling buffalo dung off the football field.
Another young girl on our wagon told us she lives in and grew up in Gardiner, 5 miles from the north entrance. Her family hunts and kills all the meat they eat: deer, elk, buffalo and some other kinds. She said in high school they would have to stop the football games many times because buffalo would wander onto the field. They would have to have a time out until security could move them off the field. She also said when a kid got detention the punishment would be to spend an hour shoveling buffalo dung off the football field.
It got really cold when we were at the cookout. Thankfully I was wearing a sweater, my fleece and over all that my Arctic jacket. Plus I had on gloves, earmuffs and a hat.
When I got back to my dorm I stood in a hot shower for a long time trying to warm up.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
6-4 (Thurs)
After breakfast I went to the training room and practiced some before class started. Today was a little rough. Yesterday was better. It seems like I have one good day and then one that isn’t so good.
Tomorrow is my day off. I asked one of the boss ladies if I could come in and practice some in the morning. She told me I could.
It rained most of the day today but by dinner time it had stopped and I walked down the road to see if I could see the baby owls. There are two of them and they are huge. The mother has been trying to coax them out of the nest. They have walked out on a branch but haven’t gotten up their nerve to flap their wings and leave security yet. I didn’t see them tonight so maybe they were in the nest trying to stay warm and dry or maybe they have made the big flight.
It is supposed to turn cold tonight. Tomorrow night the trainees in reservations are going on an old fashioned cowboy cookout at Roosevelt Lodge. We are going to ride to the cookout in a covered wagon. There is a chance of snow. Apparently it is snowing in Billings right now.
I really don’t know what is happening in the outside world because we have no radio or TV. I usually don’t know what day it is.
After breakfast I went to the training room and practiced some before class started. Today was a little rough. Yesterday was better. It seems like I have one good day and then one that isn’t so good.
Tomorrow is my day off. I asked one of the boss ladies if I could come in and practice some in the morning. She told me I could.
It rained most of the day today but by dinner time it had stopped and I walked down the road to see if I could see the baby owls. There are two of them and they are huge. The mother has been trying to coax them out of the nest. They have walked out on a branch but haven’t gotten up their nerve to flap their wings and leave security yet. I didn’t see them tonight so maybe they were in the nest trying to stay warm and dry or maybe they have made the big flight.
It is supposed to turn cold tonight. Tomorrow night the trainees in reservations are going on an old fashioned cowboy cookout at Roosevelt Lodge. We are going to ride to the cookout in a covered wagon. There is a chance of snow. Apparently it is snowing in Billings right now.
I really don’t know what is happening in the outside world because we have no radio or TV. I usually don’t know what day it is.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
6-3 (Wed)
I went in to work at 7:30 so I could practice for an hour before class started. Lu Ann one 0f the big bosses came in and encouraged me she was so nice. When I was at breakfast it was all I could do to keep from crying.
I went in to work at 7:30 so I could practice for an hour before class started. Lu Ann one 0f the big bosses came in and encouraged me she was so nice. When I was at breakfast it was all I could do to keep from crying.
Before we could get on the computers the electric went off so no one could work. We went in a conference room and read things out of the manual. I actually did a little better today. Annie, our trainer, kept complimenting me. I didn’t do great but a little better. I feel a lot better than I did yesterday.
Jenny and I went back to our dorms then met for dinner at 5:15. We started on the Beaver Pond hike at 5:45 and didn’t finish until almost 9:00. She has bear spray so we took that along. Thankfully we didn’t have to use it. The hike was beautiful from start to finish. Jenny know the names of all the plants, birds and ducks.
One of the beaver ponds
wildflowers on the Beaver Pond hike
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