Babysitting Talia

While finishing my Wilderness First Responder recertification at Teton Science Schools, Kevin Krasnow, one of my former TSS faculty members, asked if I could babysit Talia one night. Of course I said yes! She is beyond one of my favorite little humans to hang out with! Here are some snapshots of our hangout session! She's adorable! Love her to bits!

Making Silly Faces

More Silly Faces

'Moose Ears'

Precious!

Saying Goodbye to JHWS

Pictures of my last two tours with Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris!

I have really enjoyed being a tour guide! I have learned a lot about working with people, practiced my teaching abilities, made some great friendships and networking, was blessed to share my passion for the natural world with others, and of course, being able to see some wonderful places and animals pretty much everyday for a whole summer. Thanks JHWS for letting me be part of a great team! Don't worry, I'll be back to the Tetons! 

TheChristyBel

A Family From New York City

My Last & Final Family with JHWS!
Best Group to End My Season With!

One of My Last Teton Goodbyes

Marc leaves for the east on Monday (tomorrow), while I finish up work with Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris this upcoming Thursday. Before I head back east next Monday (the 17th), I'll take my recert for my Wilderness First Responder at Teton Science Schools. 

It is really coming full circle for me about my Teton and West adventure; it was about 2-years ago (on Monday the 17th), at least it will be, that I made my journey out west to start this graduate school adventure. It was two years ago this week that I took my certification for my WFR and started to explore the Grand Tetons. 

Over the past two years, I originally set out for this Forever West adventure to upgrade my schooling, challenge myself in my passions, mind, and body, and to allow myself to grow up without certain clutches and security blankets that I held onto (that in reality haunted me and prevented me from being true to myself). 

Two years later, I have challenged my mind, body, and soul to absorb information in two areas (education and science), rekindled old passions (art and hiking), strengthened my abilities to teach others, lost confidence in myself but then gained in back, learned a lot about myself, determined areas of self I need to work on, lost friendships, gained new ones, found love, and most importantly was able to live for MYSELF in a new part of the country (by myself - to start) where I did not think I could. Two years later I say farewell and thank you to a place I was nervous about immersing myself in. Two years later, I give my appreciation and gratitude to this place for allowing me to live and really define for myself who is theChristyBel.

TheChristyBel

Saying Farewell to the Wedding Tree

Wedding Tree Sunset

One of My Last Summit Poses in the Grand Tetons

One of My Last Teton Tours

An Osprey
Fun Fact: It Pooped Right After I Took This Shot. Classy.

So, Marc and I have decided to move back east. Our plans are still under investigation and contemplation, but we have decided that we should check out what other places have in store for us. This is not at all a farewell to the Tetons, as we will be back, but this is just a so long for awhile.

As I have told Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris of my leaving and the next few posts are going to be some of my last wildlife-filled posts for some time until I find more in new places.

Today was one of my last Grand Teton tours - a sunrise and sunset back-to-back. Here are some of the highlights from them today! Enjoy!

TheChristyBel

Bull Elk - Wapiti - White Butt Out in the Sage Flats

Least Chipmunk

Huge Bison Patties - Hungry?

Uinta Ground Squirrel at Mormon Row

Mountain BlueBird, Male

Wine in a Can?

So I have heard of and seen wine in a box...but have you ever heard of wine in a can? 

Apparently this is a thing. Weird. Tasted weird too!

Thanks, Ben! haha.

TheChristyBel

Inspiring Young Minds

I really do love this job I have this summer. Sure it is mega long hours, a lot of driving, and occasionally some challenging guests or situations, but then...I get some really awesome guests with some really awesome children that want to learn about what they are seeing on these tours. That is when I step back and think, 'This is what I went to school for. This is what I love the most.'

Today, I had some children on my tour that were some pretty awesome scientists in the works! Totally engaged and wanted to learn more about what JellyStone has to offer. I love how they totally wanted to try out my heat gun and look through some field guides as we were looking at things! Not to mention, they asked a lot of really good questions. Also, I thought it would be fun to do the Junior Ranger program and they absolutely loved it!

TheChristyBel

Trumpeter Swans

Elk Calf

Fountain Geyser - Pretty Steamy on This Rainy Yellowstone Day

Black Marmots

Today, I had an interview with pretty much my dream job! I do not want to say much about it (do not want to jinx this opportunity). But what I can say is that it was definitely incredibly positive and went really well! I think I asked some really good questions about the job and organization, as well as answered their questions with honesty and accuracy with theChristyBel-ness! Super excited! More information to come as it comes in!

But, to celebrate such a wonderful moment of the summer, Marc and I went on a celebratory Gondola ride at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Let me just say that I am constantly nerding out on wildlife wherever we go - totally still in tour guide mode even when I am not working. As we were heading up the mountain in the Gondola, we look down and discovered Marmots! Ok, sure, marmots are the groundhog of the Tetons and can be not too exciting to most people. But these marmots were BLACK! I have never seen black ones! It was super cool! And not to mention, there were three of them! Heart was definitely exploding!

TheChristyBel

NatGeo or Jellystone?

I think I am going through a high on the Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris tours rollercoaster. There are days when you see pretty much nothing too exciting and then there are days when you have see pretty much the whole kitchen sink. Similar to yesterday, my tour and I were blessed with some pretty cool sightings in Yellowstone! Check 'em out!

TheChristyBel

Some Erupting Geysers on Firehole Lake Drive

Beautiful, Clear Views of Silex Spring

A Grizzly Bear and Her Cub Out in Hayden Valley

A Grizzly Getting Too Close to Some Bison
It Looked Like it Was Going to Get NatGeo Out There! The Bison Were Definitely Aware of the Griz.
And Definitely Ready to React If Something Were to Go Down!

A Very Lucky Yellowstone and Grand Teton Tour

Today, I gave a tour to a family from Ohio (coincidentally, the father of this tour was originally from Delaware!). Let me just say this was one special tour; not because there was a Delaware connection, but the wife claims to be 'lucky' or 'has things happen.' At first, I was like...'yea, sure...' but to my surprise, our tour was filled with so many surprise and treats for all of us to enjoy! Check out some of the things we saw!!!! 

TheChristyBel

Killdeer at West Thumb Geyser Basin

Barrows Goldeneye Flock

Male Bison Checking Females to See if They are in Heat
A Little Disgusting, But It's Bison Breeding Season Right Now!

Firehole Lake Drive Erupting Geysers

Then On the Way Home Through Grand Teton National Park
A Grizzly Bear!!!!! Grizzly 610 Actually! (Her 2 Cubs Were Hidden Amongst the Tall Grasses)

Then By Moose on the Snake River - 2 Bull Moose!
Here's One of the Handsome Fellas We Saw!

Have You Met Roxie?!

For the past couple of days, Marc and I have been camping in the front driveway of our friend's parents' driveway, Sarah. This family is pretty awesome. Whenever we come home from work or hang with her and her family, we get to hang out with the raddest gal pup anyone could ask for! Have you met Roxie-Girl?!? She is so wonderful! She hops up into the van and totally loves to cuddle!

The Only Way to Start Your Morning - With a Roxie!

A Blue Moon Goodbye

This evening was a rough evening for my family and I. After a long day of working in Yellowstone, I came home to some news from my aunt. Earlier this evening, I discovered that my Aunt Isabel passed away. This is really heartbreaking for the family. Even though, Aunt Isabel had been going through some previous health conditions and battles, I feel incredibly sad I was not able to visit with her as often as some of my other relatives. Being in Wyoming, or even back in Delaware, my residing locations are always a ways away from other family members which make visiting them really hard and very, very sporadic. When tragedy faces itself in our family, it makes me feel much farther away from them. 

However, Aunt Isabel left this world during a time of beauty. As I read the e-mail from my aunt bringing the sad news, I look up into the Teton sky and see one of the largest, most beautiful Blue Moons. She sure does know how to make a memory and give us a beautiful gift to help guide us through this difficult time.

RIP Aunt Isabel (1945 - 2015)

Blue Moon

RIP Aunt Isabel

The Brink of the Lower Falls

I just came back from a hiking tour in Yellowstone. These tours are pretty nice, since I get to take my guests on some trails that are longer than the average boardwalk or take them to some areas that I normally do not take my guests to during normal Yellowstone tours. Today, I took the couple I had (from Philadelphia!) to the Brink of the Lower Falls! It is definitely a different perspective than seeing it from across the Yellowstone River on the other side of the rim. Enjoy!

theChristyBel

Looking Down from the Mouth of the Lower Falls at the Brink

I am in LOVE with that YELLOW-Stone!

Beautiful Clear Waters!

Grand Teton Wildlife of the Day

Some photos of my morning tour in Grand Teton National Park. Enjoy!

Perfect Mirroring at Schwabacher's Landing

Pronglettes!

My First Sora!!!!!! Life-Bird!

Mr. Beaver Amongst the Tall Grasses

Amazing Families and Tours

Today, I had a private tour from a family from Florida. This family was an all-around awesome group of people to show around Yellowstone. They were down for whatever came there way, incredibly engaging and welcoming of conversation in and out of the van, and not to mention their four-adopted little girls from China were just the cutest and totally loving! I felt like one of the family! Thanks for a great day in Jellystone!

TheChristyBel

Seeing Lower Falls in Yellowstone

Hikes Help Clear Your Head

I had been working and leading tours for about nine-ten days straight. I think being sick with that terrible cold really got the best of me to the point where I was not at the top of my game. Today, I was finally given a day of rest to 1) sleep in of course, 2) get some errands done, and 3) do something for me. So, today, I was able to sleep in past 8am (which is something I never get to do), I bought a new phone (finally upgraded!), and then go on a hike with my friend, Jamie.

Jamie ended up taking me to Ski Lake in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. I had never been there, so she said it would be a good 2-3 hour hike to get out of town and clear my head of all things. She was totally right. The hike was awesome! At parts challenging and totally made me realize I need to get out more (a little out of shape), but when we got to the lake, it was just glorious views!

Look at this Beautiful Lake!

As we sat on the lake edge, we could hear Pika chirps and meeps. So, we decided to explore over to the other side of the lake in search of them. Along the way, we totally found some fossils! How cool is that?!?? So we totally switched focus and found some fossils to take home in our packs. There was one rock that I wanted, but it was literally the size of my torso. Too big to carry home, but I did get a whole bunch other ones to cover my desk with! 

Crikey! We got shells in the mountains!

So stinking cool! Usually I find these in the store!

Today's hike with Jamie was pretty awesome. I am really glad and incredibly appreciative of taking me and letting me come on this hike. She's a great person to hike with and it was awesome to nerd out and look for these fossils. It was definitely a good brain break, way to clear my head, and to not think about working. :)

TheChristyBel

Geo-Nerding Out!

A Moment Captured of My Day

Today I had a day off to recover from a two-week cold. However, having a cold during the summer is not really fun. Because all I really wanted to do on a day off is be outside. So, in that case, I was getting some rest and relaxation for this cold, not tucked in bed, but out on the river. I am not sure if that is at all wise for cold recovery, but I have not had many days off to go and explore the outside. So, I will take any chance I get to do it. It was a great day soaking up the sun's warm rays (although I am sure I definitely got some sunburn on my back). The price I pay for not being inside getting better. Oops.

TheChristyBel

A Moment of Our Snake River Day From Sarah Wemple :)

Grand Views in Yellowstone

A Hot Spring Hydrothermal Feature at the Fairy Falls Trailhead
Midway Geyser Basin

I had a Yellowstone National Park tour today. This family was from England and wanted to see the uniqueness and beauty that this park had to offer. In that case, not only did I give them a traditional Jellystone tour, but gave them some views that they would not forget. It is really awesome seeing people experience this national park for the first time and seeing a place as unique as this. They definitely were blown away with the colors from Grand Prismatic and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

TheChristyBel

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone at Artists Point (Lower Falls)

A Grand View at Grand Prismatic
Midway Geyser Basin