April 2016 – Galloping Horse Blog

Wonderland

YNP Sign

Yellowstone was being called “Wonderland” before it became our first National Park in 1872. And I am filled with wonder the more I learn about its history, its spectacular geysers, and the entire Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Yellowstone takes up over 3,000 square miles in the northwest corner of Wyoming. We are so blessed that this entire area has been preserved—certainly not without lots of controversies and challenges—but nonetheless it is still protected.

Yellowstone is as wondrous as it is complex, and I look forward to learning even more. This summer will be the 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service and it’s going to be busy! Talk about having to hit the ground running!

So much to learn . . . to take in. Reading as much as possible now so I’m better prepared for all I’m still to learn once up there . . . The history. The geology, including over 10,000 hydrothermal features and more than 300 geysers. Learning how their “plumbing” works and the difference between geysers, hot springs, fumaroles and mud pots. I stayed in the historic Old Faithful Inn about three years ago and found the entire Upper Geyser Basin and other areas so amazing.

Geyser 2 Geyser Basin Geyser

Thermophiles . . .

Bison

Grizzlies

Elk . . .

Elk 2 Elk

Bald Eagles

Ospreys Osprey . . . oh my.

And then there’s the Wolves! I’ve been so mesmerized by wolves my entire life and now I’m going to have opportunities to watch them for real—not in books, pictures, videos or movies. I do believe that is my main joy, love and excitement about spending the summer actually living in Yellowstone . . . to see wolves for myself! And since the Wolves were restored to Yellowstone in 1995, studies are showing a greater biodiversity throughout the Ecosystem.

Wolves

I start May 3rd and the entire rest of the month is all about learning as much as possible before my tours begin in June and all the folks start arriving. Getting myself prepared has been such a labor of love. And then to have an opportunity to inspire others about nature and wilderness areas. Perhaps showing someone their first Wolf, Bald Eagle or Osprey, high mountain Wildflower or the Old Faithful geyser.

It will be different. Leaving my low-desert home for the mountains of Wyoming over 7,000 feet up in a dorm room. And I love cooking and will only be eating in the Employee Dining Room for five months. But, then, as Neale Donald Walsh puts it, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” So I’m off on my next Big Adventure, looking forward to the many things I’ll be learning, new experiences I’ll be having, and the people from all over the world and walks of life with whom I’ll be sharing this “Wonderland.”

lower falls

Perhaps my Big Adventure will inspire others to try something new in their own lives. To finally do that something they’ve always dreamed of doing but were maybe too scared to try. I’m going beyond my comfort zone because I want to see and do more things in this wonderful life!

In this Wonderland! sunrise

My Next Big Adventure!

Melinda

How appropriate that I should receive this wonderful caricature from my niece, Brianna, today. It marks the fact that I’m leaving in one week for Yellowstone—off to work for the summer doing tours in our first National Park! I’m excited and a little terrified at the same time. I’ve been feverishly “boning up”—reading all the books I can find on the birds, wildflowers, mammals and geology of Yellowstone, along with the thick “Yellowstone Resources and Issues” received from them. I think this little piece of artwork from my very talented niece is so appropriate for my next Big Adventure. Thank you Brianna!

YNP Touring Car

High Dive!

Living in Hawaii as a kid was great fun, with some awesome adventures—my favorite place from around the world as an “Army Brat.” We lived on Schofield Barracks where there was a huge Olympic-size swimming pool with amazing tall diving boards.

I suppose it was while in a class, we were given an assignment to climb the diving boards and jump off. I remember climbing all the way up there, but then I just couldn’t get the courage to jump off! I don’t remember how long I stayed up there trying to get up my nerve, I only know I finally climbed back down . . . all the way back down!

Richardson Pool, Schofield Barracks, Oahu, Hawaii

I wonder if my climbing back down off that high dive was the start of my commitment to not ever give up—to never chicken out—again! Oh, it might take me hours—or days!—but I finally find somewhere inside the gumption to push through the fear—whether it’s rappelling off a cliff, parasailing, or just sharing something about myself that’s really scary. I knew somewhere inside I had it—that courage. My go-to response seems to have often been, “I can’t! I’m too scared! What if . . .” But at some point I’d dredge up that courage and go for it. I’m a big scaredy-cat, but eventually pull out my Superwoman costume from somewhere!

Invariably, once I’d do it, I’d think, “Wow! That was fun!” or “That wasn’t so hard.” And, “Why did it take me so long?!” The not doing of it was worse than the doing. It seems Hawaii gave this “Army Brat” yet another adventure . . . Bring on Superwoman!

Parasailing

Overcoming what seemed like a week of trying to gather up the courage, I finally did it! My sister Marian and I were down in Acapulco, Mexico. Our beautiful room was up on the 11th floor and, when we went out to take in the view from the balcony, there they were down on the beach.

Beach

“Oh, gosh! I want to do that!” But it seemed so very scary.

Everyday I’d watch them and everyday I’d want to try it. I just couldn’t.

“Yes you can,” I’d say to myself. “No! I can’t! What if I fall. I’m too scared!”

But the very last day I was there, I knew if I were to ever do this it had to be now! Marian’s return flight had already left that morning. But I was determined. I wasn’t going to let my fear continue to keep me paralyzed. I was going to do this!

So I took myself—and my camera—down there and paid my money. I am going to do this! They asked me if I was sure I wanted to take my camera and, “Yes! Absolutely!” I had to be able to prove it . . . to myself!

parasailing

It was a blast! And I had the pictures to prove it!

Acapulco