We have been coming to Yellowstone for 41 years. We used to teach biology and environmental science in a college in Baytown, Texas and during the summers we came here. The first 13 summers we had a 1969 red hippy Volkswagen van and then “graduated” to a 1989 Ford van. We put over 600,000 miles on the VW, not all on the same engine, but I lost count of the number of miles on the Ford. We had some great adventures in both vans, including a trip to Alaska in each one.
In the year 2000 we got lazy and bought a pickup truck and a 5th wheel trailer. We became what I had always hated, a microwave and shower on wheels. I have to admit the shower was really nice though. In 2008 we retired from teaching and started spending 6 months in Yellowstone instead of just 3. Last year we were home in Texas for 3 months and in Yellowstone, and a couple of other spots, for 9 months. I miss my friends and family in Texas but in the last several years I have lost 2 Texas friends who died, then another moved to Ft. Worth, and recently one moved to Missoula (which is not that far away).
I now find I have more friends in Yellowstone than near our house in Texas. It took many years to develop the friendships I have in Texas. But it didn’t take nearly as many years to find friends in Yellowstone. Why? Because Yellowstone is a natural “filter” for the people I share interests with. We all love the animals, the scenery, the flowers, the snow, the excitement of always being able to see something new, and capturing it all in a movie or still camera. If it weren’t for my Yellowstone friends we would be really lonely up here. But we aren’t because all we have to do is go to the park and find a bear or a kestrel or a fox or a badger and we are sure to find people we know.
If Yellowstone is a filter then the trail to Trout Lake is a micro-filter. I have met some of the nicest people ever up there, as well as many of my “regular” Yellowstone friends. There haven’t been any baby otters up there for 2 years now but some of my most unforgettable moments are at Trout Lake with a group of people watching the otters. Every single otter watcher is quiet and respectful. But the best part is when the otters do something particularly cute I always hear an “awwww” from the people. Not loud but very appreciative of what they are seeing. And if I look up long enough from my camera I can see a big smile on every face. What a real joy!
So here is a huge “Thank You” to Deby, Andrew, Simon, Jill, Phyllis, Dave, Connie, Jeff, Marcy, Don, Sherri, Jack, Jim C., Deb, Jim Y., Charleen, Warren, Chris, as well as all of our fly fishing friends, and the friends on “The Yellowstone Daily” and Facebook. I have never even met some of you but I still feel like you are friends. Yellowstone is fantastic and you guys make it even better!!!
I couldn’t agree more Judy! Thank you for being you and for being here in Yellowstone to share it with the rest of us who care like you do.