I don't know why, but I'm spending the summer in Yellowstone again.

[joeybee12]

This is my second year. Anyway, not much going on in my life right now, so the stuff is going into storage, and I'm moving to a small place right outside the park with my cats. I figure I might as well do it before Dumbo turns the park into a refinery!

[LSK]

1. got a job there?

[joeybee12]

2. Yes, a lousy job, but a job nontheless...

...I figure it's really almost a paid vacation, because the work itself isn't hard, and I'll have plenty of free time for exploring.

[LSK]

3. what is the job??

Details! I always thought spending the summer in a National Park would be tons of fun!

[joeybee12]

7. It's sort of fun...

...I mean, you get to be in the park and all that, but the company that runs the concessions hotels, restaurants, etc) really isn't a good company to work for. The BS level is pretty high, and they don't treat the employees well. The draw is being in the park and getting to do a lot of stuff you wouldn't be able to do otherwise.

[Debi]

4. Hey, I'll be in Bozeman, Montana the end of July

Where will you be @ the park?

(we try to run down every time we go 'out west')

[joeybee12]

5. I'll be working at Canyon...

...PM me when you get close to the time you'll be in the park. I have no clue yet as to my days off, but hopefully we can meet up at some point!!!!

[Debi]

6. Ooooh, that's only about 90 min. from the North Gate

Which is only about 90 min. from Bozeman! Great road trip!

[joeybee12]

9. I can't count the number of times I went up to Bozeman last

year, hauling some Eastern European kids who were working there for the summer so they could spend half a day at the Wal-Mart Super Center--they'd never seen anything like it!

[Debi]

12. I grew up there - didn't realize how beautiful it was

(and how much there was to do - FOR FREE)

until I moved to Iowa.

I can't tell you how many times we went to the Norris Hot Springs or Old Faithful or road tripped to the Lodge just for something to do.

Now I live in Iowa.

Not that I can't find things to do - but man, Montana was beautiful!

[joeybee12]

16. I know--there's tons to do...

...but the summer is so short you're always rushing to do stuff while you have the chance. Well, at least I am.

[Debi]

17. Oh, you're making me jealous

Except for the fact that it's probaly about 45 degrees in Yellowstone right now - that makes me not so jealous!

[joeybee12]

20. 45! If only!

Actually, I think Canyon is the coldest part of the park, at least of all the tourist spots. Last year it snowed in July, and then snowed again at the end of August!

[Debi]

28. Always snows in the summer

My husband doesn't believe me.

Some day he'll be there in the middle of a storm on the 4th of July!

[joeybee12]

30. Tell him to just ask me...

...I'll vouch for ya!

[Debi]

31. thanks

:thumbsup:

[joeybee12]

34. No problem!

I just noticed your photo--poor Christopher--he looks so young and handsome there!

[Debi]

35. One of my favorite movies

I'm a total sap.

He played such a nerd and yet was so strong and handsome and ..... whew is it getting hot in here?

;)

[joeybee12]

38. I actually saw him twice in real life...

...he just happened to be passing in a car. This was when I lived in Los Angeles. He really was gorgeous back then.

[bigwillq]

8. Wow, that's very cool!

Can I come along?

:) :hi:

[joeybee12]

11. Sure!

But just remember, it means giving up heading to any of the gay pride festivals over the summer--any big city is pretty far away!

[bigwillq]

15. I don't go to any of those festivals anymore.

I did a few times to the one in NYC but haven't been in years.
I'll gladly give that up to go to Yellowstone! :hi:

[joeybee12]

19. That weekend is probably the only time I still go out to bars...

...sure, they're crowded, but everyone is in a good mood. I don't go to the parades, though, because when you've seen one, you've seen them all!

:hi:

[bigwillq]

23. I don't like parades in general.

I just go to those ones to drink! :hi:

[joeybee12]

26. One parade I highly recommend is the Rose Parade...

...the floats really are amazing up close.:hi:

[bigwillq]

36. That would be cool to go to.

Or the Macy's turkey day one. I've been to neither of those.

[joeybee12]

37. When I went to the Rose Parade, we didn't need to get there real

early like they warn you to...most people try to hang around the stands, etc., but the parade route is so long you can show up literally when it starts, and find a place close up.

Arriving late and finding parking, though, is another thing!:hi:

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

39. It's too much hassle.

I've never gone, but I don't know any adults that have thought it was worth going to.

That and the NYE's Times Square Ball Drop. It clogs up the whole city and makes it annoying to get to any of the fun places to celebrate New Years.

Then, again I'm probably disenchanted with all this stuff because I live in NJ and hang out in NYC whenever I feel like it. The only big crowd things I go to in NYC are protests and the NYC gay pride parade. The pride parade is awesome and it's a big weekend of partying. Even my straight friends like because it's just a giant party. The cops are all cool and having a good time too. They don't care what you do, provided you're not doing a line directly in front of them or anything. These are the same cops that completely fucking suck during protests though.

[joeybee12]

43. I doubt I'd ever go to Times Square on New Year's Eve...I hear that

once you enter the area, the police won't let you leave--I'd fear needing a bathroom break!

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

44. Yeah, it's crazy just trying to get around...

because of all the people trying to get into Times Square. All of midtown gets fucked up. Yeah, the cops won't let you leave the area and by the time you get into a porta potty, it'll be after midnight. Plus, you're not even allowed to drink in the area.

I like partying in NYC for New Years, but it's more of a grab some pizza, hit some bars, eventually end up at a 24 hour club (not really legal so the parties move around). Two years ago, I was at a 24 hour club and they put out a breakfast buffet at 7am. We left around 8am, ended up meeting some people on the street, partying on some roof top with them until noon. Then, I went back to my friend's apartment and we crashed out until around 7pm, got up and found the most obscure little Thai place on Hudson street. The food was awesome, so it was a fitting end to New Years.

[joeybee12]

46. That shounds a lot more fun than hanging out in Times Square....

..my father actually did it tons of years ago in his early 20's--he's 86 now, so you know that goes back a long time. Even back then he said it was so crowded you couldn't move, and you really couldn't see anything.

[MuseRider]

10. Are you going to have

your computer and a connection this time? I thought I was going to die last year during all the tennis without you to talk to!!!

Have fun, I always thought that would be a fun thing to do. If you have to work it might as well be in a beautiful place.

[joeybee12]

13. I'm older and smarter this year, and will bring my laptop...

...sure it's slow, but it's better than nothing!

And speaking of tennis, any bets on the French Open yet?

[MuseRider]

18. Not yet.

I have been so busy I have not even looked to see when it starts. I have not even had time to watch a match since the Australian. I wonder if Guga will be back, I miss him. I would really like to see Federer win this since he hasn't won this one (has he?). I think it would complete the Grand Slam for him. I just can't not pull for him. I am totally out of touch but will try to make certain I get some of the matches. Heck, I bought a TIVO for that reason!

[joeybee12]

22. No, Roger has not yet won the French...

...it's a tough one for the top players. I'd like to see him win it also. I think he could do well, and maybe Nadal might repeat.

As for the women, I hope Amelie wins so it can't be said she only won one--which is more than a lot of players, but she's playing so well right now she deserves to.

[MuseRider]

27. I love Amelie!

She has put up with a lot and held fast. I have a lot of respect for her both as a player and a person.

I forgot about Nadal! Where has he been? He was so fun to watch and seemed like such a nice young man. I just hope someone else dresses him, I got a little tired of watching him pick those pants out of his crack! LOL, he cracked me up. Those things had to chafe. I LOVED my tennis skirts and I am not a woman who wears girly skirty type things but when I was playing I loved them in the summer heat.

I am worried about Hingis being back. I never liked her and was relieved when she finally quit because it had gotten so painful to watch her. I suppose it is good to add "new" blood into the women's game but darned if the Russians haven't been doing that! Lots of new players and it is so fun to watch!

[joeybee12]

29. I think Nadal was out for a bit due to injuries...

...he's playing in the Monte Carlo open this week--both he and Roger are in the semis tomorrow.

Never cared for Martina either. Haven't seen that she's been in any tournaments for the past few weeks. She seemed to play a lot at the beginning of the year, though.

[MuseRider]

32. Do you know if Moya played?

He is another one I would like to see come back and Haas did awfully well in the Australian, another one. Hmmm, would be fun to see them all back and El Aynaoui, he was pretty cool too and had a nice game! (I am still waiting for my long time underdog Hrbaty to make it past the quarters) Speaking of awful clothes!

Sorry, I hijacked another one of your threads. I will stop because I am off to rehearsal anyway. Let me know when you go and have a wonderful time, such a lovely place, *sigh*.

[joeybee12]

33. I don't recall if Moya played...

..he didn't amke it to the quarters if he did, that I know.

Tommy Haas beat Andy in the quarters of a clay tournament last week. Maybe he'll keep on imporving all year.

[Droopy]

14. I wish I could be your neighbor

I love the west and I haven't been out that way in about 6 years.

[joeybee12]

24. Well, stop on by!

I think if I moved back east I'd really miss the wide open spaces.

[livetohike]

21. I'm jealous

:-). Have a wonderful time and hike a few trails for me. I haven't been there in a long time.

[joeybee12]

25. Thanks, I will.

:hi:

[Dangerously Amused]

40. I would be concerned if you were spending the summer in Redstone.

:o



Yeah, I know...


:spank:

[LSK]

41. Redstone is a really nice place

http://www.redstonecolorado.com/

:P

[Dangerously Amused]

42. Serendipity!

Here I was all trying to be a smartass, and I learned something really cool. That does look like a great place! Thanks.


:7

[Shine]

45. Well, I'm jealous. What an incredible place, soooo beautiful.

we went on a road trip there, from CA, five years ago and had a fantastic time. We met up with a bunch of family who had driven in from IL and we all camped out together for about a week. The buffalo.....wow. We even saw a grizzly...from far away. And the Grand Tetons, sooo magnificent!

I wish it weren't so far away so we could go more frequently.

Well, we don't have it so bad out here. Yosemite is only about 3 1/2 hrs away...practically our back yard. :D

:hi: Hope you have fun!

[Mrs.Matcom]

47. I'm jealous!

I love Yellowstone, been there a few times. I refer to it as "Nature's Disneyland".

[joeybee12]

48. Yikes! Don't say that!

I can just imagine Bush and his evil cohorts selling the place to Disney! Shudder!

[Strong Atheist]

49. I will be ther for a week in July. My favorite vacation place! nt.

[joeybee12]

50. July is a good month...

...the snow ends in June (I kid you not) and you don't have to worry about it again until August (again, I kid you not!)

[Arugula Latte]

51. Warn us if the caldera is about to blow, m'kay?

:scared: