I am still in disbelief that TheChristyBel has turned 27. I distinctly remember walking into Ashland Nature Center on my 23rd birthday with purple cupcakes from mom and sharing them with my co-workers. Mike Riska, the former executive director walks up to me to congratulate me for my birthday and asks, 'How old are you?' and I reply, '23!' and the comment stated next, 'Oh, well 7-more years until you're 30!' Thanks Mike!....But that conversation still rings into my head, because you know...4-years later, I am now 3-years until 30!!!! ahhhhhhhh! weird.
But anyways, no matter what age your turn on your birthday, you should celebrate it with incredible, memorable moments, wonderful people, and activities and things that make you happy. And well, that is what I did.
Since I had such a great time ringing in my birthday last year in the Tetons, I of course, had to do the same for this year. I mean, if I were home in Delaware, I would be going to HomeGrown with a few wonderful friends, indulging in a delicious Gourmet Grilled Cheese and a Honey Mint Tea. But alas, a Delaware Birthday tradition is somewhat difficult to grant when you are in the Forever West (300+ miles away). So I think I have discovered a new tradition, at least for now, celebrate the birthday in the Tetons! And well that is what I did!
At midnight, Marc presented me his birthday gift to me - I was beyond excited! We have been eyeing over a talented artist, Jeremy Collins. He does wonderful pen&ink drawings, cartoons, and work that encompass the GYE, Tetons, and Yellowstone...and well the great outdoors. There was drawing that he had done of a map of Yellowstone that was drawn in a Grizzly Bear. I remember seeing that and saying to Marc, 'Oh wouldn't it be cool if it were in a moose?!' Well...I guess he took that question to heart, because he presented me the drawing that Jeremy Collins' created and morphed it into my vision. What a wonderful gift?!?! I am going to cherish it forever.
Marc's Painting - Isn't He So Talented?!
The birthday was filled with loads of party favors, wonderful text messages and phone calls, Facebook notifications, and a lazy, relaxing morning at the Jackson Hole Farmer's Market and then another fun and relaxing afternoon at String Lake. I could not have asked for a better birthday weekend - it was full of endless amounts of happiness, fun, perfect weather, wonderful people, and of course, the Tetons! Enjoy the pictures from Saturday!
Party Favors Courtesy of Mom & Marc
Noise Makers Galore!
Mellow Snuggin'
Feeling the Love All The Way From the Rock N Roll Marathon in Philadelphia!
SnapChat Birthday Greetings From Brent!
SnapChat Birthday Greetings From JJ!
Marc Driving Us to String Lake
Can We Talk About Those Gorgeous Peaks in the Background
ChristyBel Hats, Inner Tubes, & Birthday Cone of Shame!
Smith and His Mode of Transportation Around String Lake.
No Better Way to Spend a Birthday at String Lake!
Birthday Selfie with Marc!
The weather was absolutely wonderful! That morning as we were walking to downtown in Jackson, I could FINALLY see the Tetons. They were absolutely beautiful. No clouds in the sky either! Had a bagel with lox and then went to K-mart to buy some inner tubes for some quality time at the lake.
Inner Tubes & Whiskey on a Sunny Birthday Day!
Always Nerding Out on Nature...Even on the B-day!
Had to go to the Tetons National Park sign and get a birthday picture! Selfies with three people is kind of challenging, but I think we made it work!
Two Of My Favorite Boys!
Marc Made Lamb for the Birthday!
And the Infamous Cake From Mom
Ok, side note: so...my mom decided to send me a cake for my birthday. Very nice and thoughtful of her, since I am missing her Purple-Icing Red-Velvet Cupcakes! But yes, she tried to keep it a secret and just told me that there was something in the mail being delivered to my apartment. Well the day I was supposed to get it, I get a phone call from UPS stating my package could not be delivered due to an incorrect address. Impossible. So I call them back, and they state, my address was wrong. So I asked them what address were they using? UPS replies back same number, same street, same apartment (however there is not one in existence) in Lakeville, CT. And so I reply....well that's why! There is no specific address since I am living in a completely different part of the country. They quickly change the address and stated it would get to me in two days.
Well I call mom telling her everything, and she felt so bad, she called and complained to the company. They automatically ship me out another 'surprise.' But said that it would not get to me until after the birthday. Turns out, I got the original surprise, which was a CAKE, right before I headed to Jackson. We'll see if I end up getting the replacement cake too! haha. But it was deliciously rich and chocolatey! Thanks Mom! xoxo.
Birthday Summit Pose. Obvi.
Happy Birthday TheChristyBel
Must Be Nice Celebrating 21 for the 6th Time! Photo Credit to Smith Benson!
I had the most wonderful birthday weekend! Awesome people in an awesome place. Here's to being 27!
I am pretty lucky that I only have a class on Thursday mornings and NO CLASSES on Fridays. So with my birthday landing on a weekend, I was able to make my weekend a 3.5-day birthday! Right after Jaimie Henthorn's performance in the Visual Arts building, I already had Little Blue packed and off to Jackson I went.
The drive from Laramie to maybe, Rock Springs was really sunny and pretty flat with some rolling hills in the distance. However, as I got closer to Pinedale, the clouds started getting darker and thicker. By the time I got to Jackson, it was lightning storming and really dark (around 9pm MST when I arrived). However, despite the crazy weather, I was greeted with smiles and hugs from Marc and Smith when I arrived to their house. It was so nice to be back, let me tell you, 2-weeks seemed like an eternity!
The next morning, Marc and I decided to go to Yellowstone National Park for the day. Since I could not go on any major hikes, the next best thing was to visit my favorite national park! So, we packed up Little Blue with some snacks and food for the day, filled her up with gas, stopped by the library to pick up some CDs to jam to on the drive up, and off we went!
On Our Way to Yellowstone! Fall Has Definitely
First stop was the Mud Volcano Area. This part of Yellowstone is one of my favorites. There is a part of the mud volcano area where the hydrothermal feature is coming out of a cave. So all the steam coming out looks like a dragon's breathing out smoke and the water rippling out is a lapping tongue! It's so cool - not to mention the roar! I've provided a photo for all to enjoy!
Dragon's Breath
Mud volcano was awesome too! It's like a soupy-goop of mud that has been melted and being chemically eroded away from the surrounding rock from the hydrothermal feature. I have provided a video!
Mud Volcano
Churning Volcano - In a Time-Lapse
After stopping for lunch at Fishing Bridge, Marc and I picked up two Yellowstone Junior Ranger packets. This was a fun idea to get us to act like children, fill out these booklets, and hopefully get inducted into the Junior Ranger Program.
Next, we travelled through Hayden Valley, past Canyon Village, kept going north to along Specimen Ridge and then westward to Mammoth Hot Springs. Ahhhhh! I was so darn excited! Since last time I was up here was in April when there was still snow!
Oh Man - About to Hike All Around This!
Look at the Deposition From the Travertine!
I'm in Geology Love!
Gorgeous Day Overlooking the Mammoth Hot Springs and Surroundings!
Really Cool Geology Folding!
Travertine Terraces!
A Happy Birthday ChristyBel
So Cool!
As You Can See I Could Not Stop Taking Pictures!
Seeing the Mammoth Hot Springs was such a great way to kick off the 27th Birthday! I was like a little kid in a candy store just wanting to hike over the boardwalks. I am sure Marc enjoyed seeing me nerd out over the geology and just being back in Yellowstone.
Hanging in Yellowstone!
Examining the Travertine Up Close!
Panoramic - Can You See Marc Waving on the Right?
PhotoBombing Some Elk.
After finishing the Junior Ranger Handbook, you must attend at least one guided ranger talk or program. So we decided to participate in the tour of Fort Yellowstone in Mammoth. This was a really cool tour - our guide told us the story of Fort Yellowstone and how this area was the first headquarters for the national parks, in particular, Yellowstone. Seeing all the original buildings being kept in their original conditions, but being used today was really cool. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable about the history not just in Fort Yellowstone, but about the park in general. Not only did her knowledge highlight her tour, but her passion and love for Yellowstone was quite evident. I love it when guides and rangers put their passions and emotions into their talks. I get so engaged - and can totally nerd out and relate!
Elk Have Taken Over Mammoth Hot Springs
Not only did we get a tour of Fort Yellowstone, but got to see elk take over Mammoth Hot Springs. Fall is the prime-time to see elk go crazy...since it is their mating season, the Rutt, all the males are calling with bugles and grunts trying to round up all their ladies. However, if you get too close, they will charge. And sadly, we did see that happen while in Yellowstone. Cars and individual visitors are getting too close and Marc and I witnessed a bull elk charge a tourist and a few cars.
This just goes to show that visitors need to learn about proximity and respect for wildlife - not just in the national parks, but wherever humans are crossing into wildlife areas. Animals are living, breathing, individuals too that have feelings, attitudes, and will retaliate if threatened or think they are in danger.
On a happier note, after the tour, Marc and I got our booklets checked, signed, and we were sworn into the Yellowstone Junior Ranger Program! How cool! We even got patches!
Being Sworn In With Patches and the Junior Ranger Oath!
Best Trip to Yellowstone and a Great Start Off to theChristyBel Birthday Weekend!
