My First Drive In Movie

Last night, Marc and I took his parents over to Idaho for their last night in the Tetons. What a way to spend their last night with us but with drive-in movie at the Spud in Driggs, Idaho! It was also a great way to see Jurassic World. The newest dinosaur movie that has been getting a lot of attention lately. 

Taking the van over to watch the movie was a really cool experience as well. The bed has been completed and so we were able to lay down with some seasoned fries and watch the movie from our bed! Haha. We got there early to get a great spot. We parked next to his parents and were able to hang and chat til the movie started. Since we got there early, we were able to see a great Idaho sunset. And let me tell you, the sunset was awesome! So many pretty colors!

The movie itself was pretty good. I think the movie left me wanting more: more background information and more of a plot. But it was pretty nice to see the Jurassic Park dinos again on the big screen! And it was super cool to see a movie at a Drive-In for the first time!

TheChristyBel

Marc & I on top of the bed in the van.
Please note it is still not finished!

A Beautiful Idaho Sunset

Super Pumped for Jurassic World

Training to Lead Jellystone

Today, I went on my first training session to lead Jellystone trips (aka Yellowstone National Park tours). I was able to observe Jody. I really enjoy observing him. He is pretty comical and knows so much about guiding and the parks. Below are some of the places that he took his guests. It's great to shadow a tour to get ideas on how to lead your own. Although I have a pretty good idea of where most things are in Jellystone, I am pretty sure I need to refresh myself with the history. Even after grad school, theChristyBel still has homework! I better get studying, since my first trip to Yellowstone is in a few days! Wish me luck!

TheChristyBel

FireHole Falls on Firehole Canyon Drive

It Hailed at the Fountain Paint Pots

BeeHive Geyser Eruption Before Old Faithful!

Hot Spring at Firehole Lake Drive

Iron Springs

Found a Gem at Canyon Village

Mt. Washburn Fire Tower From Hayden Valley

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Last Day Training in GTNP

Osprey on Moose-Wilson Road, near Teton Village

As of yesterday, I had my walkthrough with my Laramie landlord, packed up the last of my things in Little Blue, and travelled back on the five and half hour drive back to the Tetons. I'll be camping or staying with friends until Marc comes back with the van to live out of for the summer, but I'll be busy with Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris. I am beyond pumped for this job this summer season!

Today I finished up my training to lead tours in the Grand Teton National Park with Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris. It feels incredibly awesome that your co-workers have the confidence in you to take the lead and lead tours on your own. After my training session in the morning shadowing one of the leading senior guides, he told me that he feels I am ready to go solo! How awesome is that!

Training has been great to learn from experienced guides about the hidden gems and places to find things or to go for a good story. I feel really informed about the park. But I am incredibly thankful to have had Teton Science Schools under my belt, because they helped teach me the knowledge of this place. With that, I only needed three training days before I was given the check off to go SOLO!

Its great to feel this high level of confidence in knowledge of this place and support and faith from your co-workers. I am beyond pumped to get these tours up and rolling this summer! So, if you're in the area and want a tour of Grand Teton National Park...you know who to call!

Wish me luck, I have my first tour tomorrow!

TheChristyBel

Reflective Photos From Schwabacher's Landing

Female Barrow's Goldeneye

Peek-A-Boo, I See You, 610!
Near Oxbow Bend!

My First Sighting of a Great Grey Owl!
Moose-Wilson Road

A Colorado Vacation

Summit Pose in Rocky Mountain National Park

For three days, my parents invited me to spend some time at their resort condo in Granby, Colorado before moving out of my Laramie Apartment and starting work with Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris. Granby is only about two and a half hours away south of Laramie, WY. It was a pretty decent scenic drive down, although I got caught in huge fog clouds and some rain. But when I got to Granby, I was greeted by my parents, a relaxing condo unit, a hot tub in the condo, and some opportunities to visit Rocky Mountain National Park and some hot springs! What a great mini-vacation! It was super nice to spend some more time with my parents before they travelled back to Delaware. They had only spent a few days with me in Laramie so having a few extra days with them was really nice before we had to split again. Here are some pictures from my trip south!

TheChristyBel

The Resort Condo Unit - Top Floor

Enjoying the Hot Springs in Sulphur Hot Springs

Moose in the Riparian Area of RMNP

Mom Saw Her First Moose Ever on This Trip!

Mom & Dad in One of the 19-Hot Spring Pools Open
Sulphur Hot Springs, CO

Training With Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris

Overlook at the Grand Teton Lodge Company
at Willow Flats

Well, I guess since I have been posting images on my Instagram (which you should follow @thechristybel), I will be moving back to Jackson Hole following the University of Wyoming (at least for now). I have found a seasonal summer job with Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris as a summer wildlife and tour guide. I am beyond super excited for this opportunity. I wanted to try something different from what I am used to (environmental education) and try out the eco-tourism path. I am spending my weekend here in Jackson in some training before I have to head back to Laramie for the LAST TIME! Training has been wonderful; despite the cold, cloudy and rainy weather conditions, it has been perfect for finding wildlife and refreshing my knowledge on the GYE and Jackson Hole. It's been great!

Day One of training consisted a lot of the normal 'Welcome to the Company' and paperwork logistics, but come afternoon, we were in the van being shown some of the secret spots to go to for wildlife, special moments, scenic photo areas, and the routes in which we can go. It was super fun and soooooo great being back in the park. I am really stoked for this because I'll be back in the park everyday, capturing and sharing moments with people.

Day Two and Three (today) are where I have in shadow-mode. I join tours with some really experienced guides where I can observe how they go about their tours, what they talk about, how they approach their groups, and what they decide to show or take our clients to. It's been awesome. I have been even allowed to chime in and talk as well (which is great practice for what I want to do) and give my guide opportunities to watch me for instant feedback. Yesterday (Day Two), I observed one of our guides, Dave, in two sunrise and sunset tours. It was great, we found and saw a lot of really awesome things to show our clients, and I was also able to chat and guide a smidge as well. It was great practice and a great way to see what I needed to work on before I start leading my own tours. The clients were also incredibly helpful too! They had great feedback and comments too (not to mention we got along great since the entire van was filled with people from back east - super close connections).

Below are some snapshots of some of the wonderful things we saw yesterday. More photos to come!

TheChristyBel

Morning With My Moose!

Mormon Row

Lunch Companion: A Red-Shafted Northern Flicker
One of My Favorite Birds

Stella's Marina

And The Icing to the Evening Cake:
Grizzly 610 (Daughter of 399) and Her Two New Cubs!
My Heart Exploded!