Gilbert and I talked about taking a trip to Yellowstone National Park. This was a place we both had a desire to visit, and neither of us had been there. So, in January, 2016 I called the park service to make a reservation for the upcoming summer. The ranger told me that normally people book reservations a year in advance, but he just happened to have a cancellation at Lake Yellowstone, inside the Park.
It was the end of May, 2016 when we ventured off to see Yellowstone National Park. When we arrived at the airport and went to pick up our [new bright red Mustang] rental car the person at the counter noticed that my driver’s license had expired the day before, on my birthday – oops! That meant Gilbert would need to (or got to) do all of the driving, but if you know Gilbert, you know he loves nice cars and enjoyed that!
The hotel was absolutely beautiful, and the view of the lake from the hotel was stunning! Buffalo really do roam everywhere in the park and so do Elk. One day we took a bus tour and saw a mama bear with her cub too! We had someone take our picture with our wonderful tour guide, and he in turn took our picture at the Continental Divide; elevation 8262. Another day we took a beautiful scenic route to see the Grand Tetons. We also stopped to shop and have lunch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
While we were there, we visited almost all the gift shops in the park and in one of them we saw the coolest “walking stick”. Gilbert let me know he didn’t need a “cane”, but the burled wood was so naturally beautiful, I encouraged him to buy it. Now everywhere we go people comment on his unique stick and Gilbert always lets them know he bought it in Yellowstone when he didn’t need it. Then he says, “Now I need it”. It was a great souvenir choice.
Touring Yellow Stone was fun and it was a very happy and memorable trip for both of us! Then after we returned home, we were at the Ventura Harbor shopping one day and saw a barrel of walking stick almost as cool as the one he bought in Yellowstone; same company, less money, but it lacked all the memories.
Carol
