Wow. A full night’s sleep and a jog in the morning REALLY improves my mood.
I am shit with no sleep. I am sad, melancholy, and irrational.
So anyway, sleep = good.
I need to recharge a few more nights so I will work on that.
I woke up on our last day in West Yellowstone at 5am and slid my sleep mask back on (the light in our room was insane) and then I woke up to J’s alarm at 6:30. Blessed sleep!! Another hour and half! So beautiful! How do I do that every morning? (I think it’s just thanks to Tylenol PM sadly)
I got my jogging clothes on and my heavy jacket (mistake!) and went for a 2 mile jog. It was warning of rain but I really should have ditched the jacket.
I saw Sam on my way back and the horses across the street came to the fence so we went over to say hi.
So cute.
The horses, not my red face.
We got the house packed up. Then, had to listen to J complain about the line getting into Yellowstone because we were an HOUR LATE. I think one of the phrases was something like “we aren’t going to enjoy it now” so then I obnoxiously jumped on that and said, KIDS WE CAN’T ENJOY ANYTHING TODAY BECAUSE IT’S SO LATE…
But Sam pointed out that we both REALLY enjoyed our jog in the morning. It’s a sanity jog. I need it. She needed it. We were happy campers.
So anyway, I think I got my point across. Although we did still have THERE WILL BE NO PARKING and yet again, I got to point out that no, there were 20 spaces and we were fine. Everywhere we went. Sheesh, the anxiousness of all of it.
I really tried not to point it out later. But oh well, we are who we are.
And we got to our house at the perfect time. JJ at dinner made a joke saying in the elder car, they were just imagining what J was saying during that line. And the kids and I confirmed it.
Anyway, the trip there was nice. G had his stomach hurting so we did a bathroom break. So Sam did a photoshoot.
We went to see the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.
It looks like a painting here! It was so crowded, at least 3 busses full of people but we got a group selfie.
We saw bison by the car! We have seen so many animals. I need to do a whole post on them. We also had lunch at Canyon Lodge.
We went to the Mud Volcano and saw the Dragon Mouth Spring, the volcano, and a few other things. It rained on us but lightly.
More mud stuff. So cool with hot springs and mini volcanoes everywhere. Crazy!
I wanted a pic of all the steam behind me but it didn’t work out exactly how I wanted.
We then continued out of the park. We had a 3 hour drive. On our way out of the south entrance, we saw our first BEAR!!!
We saw bear the last time in Yellowstone and were waiting… and it happened!
It was a huge crowd and we totally pulled off to rubberneck, and had someone yelling at all of us to get in our cars and give the bear some space.
Yes, yes… but still. SO COOL. This was actually OUTSIDE of Yellowstone.
We then died a little at the view of the Grand Tetons on our way out of Yellowstone. HOW LUCKY are we get to to stay 6 more nights here?
G and Sam were awed.
We had a lovely drive down to Teton Village. Driving through Jackson was so cool. G just kept repeating, this is SO AWESOME.
Sam has found multiple houses that she wants to retire to.
We did an Albertson’s stop – which I swear, corralling all those people… but we made it back to the cars alive and somehow fit in groceries with our luggage… and made it to the beautiful house!
This picture does not do it justice. Zillow says it’s 9,800 sq ft and worth $11 million. Although it says 7 bedrooms and I count 5 – although there is a “no doors” bedroom… so I’m confused.
Anyway.
The owner was still there trying to repair a light bulb. After 30m finally we encouraged Truck and J to go help and J was able to replace it with needle-nose pliers.
We got everyone situated into their rooms with minimal arguing. (The arguing is always “I don’t need this beautiful room – YOU take it!”) And then drove down to Spurs. G walked! He was done with the car.
The parking lot in Teton Village. I can’t wait to go up that tram!
I was going to walk but I had put on a sweater and it was 70 degrees still and I didn’t want to sweat!
Spurs was lovely. JJ and I got blood orange martinis.
J had an old fashioned. G had pineapple juice (that they forgot but he said it was the most high end pineapple juice he had ever tasted! haha)
Sam and Sharon had blueberry and huckleberry spritzes.
Gregg and Truck had stuff but they weren’t in the picture mode. haha.
We all had dessert. I had the chocolate flourless cake (GF and V, so I told myself it was okay) and ahhh I am working out in the morning!
We came home and collapsed. I got up at 4:30am and could not get back to sleep. I was already in bed when I remembered I forgot to take a PM and just said, eh. So that was the result but I stayed in bed until 615. Maybe I got a little more sleep but not much.
Did my Hinge Health stretches. Typing this up… It’s 47d but the sun is over the mountains and peeking through the clouds.
The last residents took the bear spray so Miracles ran some over and put it in the garage last night. I’m sort of nervous about going jogging with bear spray but also… Kristi, just go.
Maybe in 10 minutes… so comfy.
But now it’s 7:30 and I can hear my Mom and Gregg yelling at each other on the 3rd floor (and the house is asleep) and it’s STILL 47 degrees… It’s going to irritate me that they are talking loudly which – why do I let that bother me? I’m up! haha
Okay, dang it. I’m going.
It’s Father’s Day today so it’s a calm day.
I went out and it was so lovely.
I did a vlog. So happy with it.
Then, I came back with croissants for the Dad’s (well everyone) and I did a 10m strength workout. Kicked my butt.
I went upstairs and J wanted to go walking. I asked if he wanted me to go with him and well, it was noncommittal and I ended up going.
It was nice at first.
And then we hiked down the mountain and into the village and he wanted to find this particular coffee spot. Not the one I found. Not the 2nd one. But we walked in 3 circles to find this coffee place that was 100ft closer than the other ones and we couldn’t find it (it closed at 10am) and I swear, why does everything have to be so hard.
My 2miles in the morning was repeated and ended up being 3 miles because we walked an extra mile we didn’t have to and I didn’t bring water. Anyway. Sigh. It was frustrating. And then we talk around each other.
I took a shower. Ate. That helped.
Then JJ wanted to go shopping with me. But I was buying decorations for her bday the next day. And Gregg is always up to go with us but then asked us every 5m, “where are we going now” haha. At least he’s always game but I did warn him – multiple times – that we were going wherever I wanted to go! But still got all the questions about where we were going.
Le sigh. It was fine. We went to Party City (which was at Staples and horrific), then Target (yay! success!), then the liquor store, then Albertsons, and then my Mom wanted coffee (NOT from Starbucks!) and then we went home at it was 330.
They were playing Skull King, which was nice. J got his game time for Father’s Day.
The time to leave was already decided for dinner – Sam informed me. Not the time that I wanted because I wanted to go shopping – Kristi, it doesn’t matter.
I tried to let it wash over me. I need to have more grace for myself and then others when we all get a little testy.
We did get to Father’s Day dinner at Million Dollar Cowboy which was super cool. It was yummy. G said it was the best dinner so far.
Not sure if I would go that far but it was nice.
We got the standard arch photos!
I got another shirt. So I did get my shopping in!! See, it all works out.
Came home and got a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and a glass of trail mix. haha
I’m sitting out all alone on the porch. I enjoy it and also it makes me melancholy. I’m lonely and I’m peaceful. I’m resigned and I’m sad.
I’m drunk. But I’m listening to our neighbors play the guitar, laugh, and sing. And I want to be over there with them but I also like sitting on my porch and hearing their fun.
Where will I be in 20 years? 24 years I was here in Yellowstone with J, Angie, and Mikey. Angie and Mikey are no more. Yellowstone looks so different but still so much the same.
And I’m reading this back two days later and laughing at myself. Laughing? Sighing. Going to keep it here and move on to my next recap.
Although I feel like I should try writing poetry next time I’m drunk and bitching to myself.
