Insulating the Van

On a somewhat rainy day, Marc and I took some time to clean out the van and for Marc to install the insulation for the van. Here are some pictures from his project!

TheChristyBel

Baby Birds' First Bike Ride

While doing laundry at my friend, Smith's, I came out of the laundry room and two little children came up to me with excitement. They wanted to share a really cool find: they found a bird's nest! The bird's nest was a really awesome find. Four little baby robins were found huddled together in their nest; and to top of the awesomeness and uniqueness, their nest was in a bike basket! It was really something to see. I think I was just as excited as the children were. Time to leave them alone so Momma Robin can come back and feed them some worms!

TheChristyBel

Cheers to Another Teton Year

Here's to another year in the Tetons!

Incredibly Thankful for Life . Love . Happiness . & Being Outside 

Marc & I at the Jackson Lake Dam & Reservoir

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

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!