We had more than an isolated thundershower yesterday. It rained most of the afternoon and we had .31 inches of rain by the time the day ended. The forecast was for more today, and it is so foggy outside we can barely see the hills surrounding our campground. It is also very cool - 45 degrees - which is a real contrast to last week when we had temperatures in the high 80's and even 90 degrees. Our high for yesterday was only 78. Having this "soupy" weather on work days is the way it is suppose to happen, with clearing and warm weather on our days off.
We once again completely sold out the rooms at the lodge last night. I would have to go back and review the entries for the similar period last year, but it seems like we are way ahead of the total number of guests, year to date, than last year. I will look at the figures. I do know that we have less time for casual conversation at work this year. It may also be the reason that it seems like there is a different attitude among the management staff - they are busy handling more issues this year. We still can't help thinking that something is different this year, like maybe the ownership of the lodge is getting ready to sell. After all, the surviving owner - Virginia - is 89 years old and probably ready to turn over the reigns to her children who probably don't want to deal with the lodge problems from a thousand miles away (San Diego). There are many improvements that are being ignored and that is usually a sign of changing ownership. I guess we will find out soon enough.
We're marching through July and the first of the two scheduled gun shows is taking place at the lodge. It ends today, and from what we can see it was a very successful show. The second show is scheduled in September which is timed to occur just before the big hunting season begins. Today we work with Donna and, as always, we enjoy those days that we are scheduled with her. There is never a dull moment as she is a very outgoing, talkative person, and is fun to be with. Now, we just need a sun break or two to make it a good day for our guests to enjoy...
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Precaution Day
We stayed close to home yesterday since Josie was up several times during the night on Thursday. We haven't figured out if it was something she ate, or just a 24 hour bug, but we felt we should not take a chance on her having a recurrence of her symptoms while out somewhere. So, we got a few things done around the fifth wheel and made a short trip to the store to get a few items and sat outside for a while until the wind started blowing and the clouds moved in. It was a relaxing day at home.
The really hot weather has gone and it is 54 outside as I write this. The high yesterday was only 80 degrees and is more like normal for this area. We keep holding our breath for the wildfires to not reappear this year. Last year, we lost a good portion of the beauty in this area to wildfires that started burning in August and lasted through September. So far, we have heard of only a single fire in southern Idaho which hasn't impacted us at all. If we continue to get cool temperatures with an occasional rain shower, we should be OK.
Another week starts today and the second day of the first 3 day gun show at the lodge is today. There will be two shows this summer and they always bring out the locals which only creates an increase in the lobby traffic for us. We always meet interesting people at these events and it makes for a change of pace in our front desk duties. We'll see how it goes...
The really hot weather has gone and it is 54 outside as I write this. The high yesterday was only 80 degrees and is more like normal for this area. We keep holding our breath for the wildfires to not reappear this year. Last year, we lost a good portion of the beauty in this area to wildfires that started burning in August and lasted through September. So far, we have heard of only a single fire in southern Idaho which hasn't impacted us at all. If we continue to get cool temperatures with an occasional rain shower, we should be OK.
Another week starts today and the second day of the first 3 day gun show at the lodge is today. There will be two shows this summer and they always bring out the locals which only creates an increase in the lobby traffic for us. We always meet interesting people at these events and it makes for a change of pace in our front desk duties. We'll see how it goes...
Friday, July 5, 2013
4TH of July
The more we thought about parking headaches in town for the festivities, the more we began leaning toward walking into town. That's what we did, and we walked a total of almost 4 miles for the day according to our pedometer readings.
The start of the celebration for us was breakfast, sponsored by the Jaycees of Jackson Hole. We were given one comp ticket at work and we paid $10 for a second ticket. The breakfast was being held in town between 7:30 and 10 AM. Our arrival was at around 9:15 which gave us plenty of time to eat before the start of the parade at 10:30. The breakfast was actually pretty good, although not worth $10. Here are a couple shots of the line and of Josie as she begins to eat her eggs, pancake, sausage, orange juice and coffee:
This year, we wanted to find a spot to watch the parade that was near the judges stand so we would see the performances by all the groups. It was rapidly filling up with chairs and we chose a location right behind the seats so we would be able to get good pictures. Here are shots of the growing crowd, looking east:
and then west:
There were buildings with second floor terraces that were also filling up with spectators:
and this one, where the announcers were keeping everyone informed about each of the parade entries:
The color guard came through and paused while we sang the National Anthem:
There were a total of 84 entries, or floats, and there were the usual collections of dogs:
horses:
including this small horse:
classic cars:
covered wagons:
and buses:
There were also lots of fire engines, rescue vehicles and the usual autos with the politicians and other local businesses. The one thing that was missing was marching bands. We guessed that maybe the schools weren't large enough or there weren't enough schools or there wasn't money in their budgets for instruments and uniforms.
The parade lasted for over an hour and we walked to the ice cream parlor on the town square and each had a cone while sitting in the park. We are always fascinated by the elk antler arches on each corner of the square that are very popular locations for photographs:
We were able to get a photo of another wildflower on our walk home that is common in town, called Goatsbeard:
These look much like dandelions, but are larger.
We spent the rest of the afternoon sitting outside and enjoying the beautiful weather until an isolated thunderstorm came through late in the afternoon. The fireworks began at 10 PM and we watched them through our rear window in the fifth wheel since we are only a couple blocks from the site where they were held. They were just OK, and only lasted for about 20 minutes.
It was a wonderful day and we were glad we walked to town to enjoy the festivities. It looks like another beautiful day today, but nothing is planned at this point. We'll let things develop as the day progresses...
The start of the celebration for us was breakfast, sponsored by the Jaycees of Jackson Hole. We were given one comp ticket at work and we paid $10 for a second ticket. The breakfast was being held in town between 7:30 and 10 AM. Our arrival was at around 9:15 which gave us plenty of time to eat before the start of the parade at 10:30. The breakfast was actually pretty good, although not worth $10. Here are a couple shots of the line and of Josie as she begins to eat her eggs, pancake, sausage, orange juice and coffee:
This year, we wanted to find a spot to watch the parade that was near the judges stand so we would see the performances by all the groups. It was rapidly filling up with chairs and we chose a location right behind the seats so we would be able to get good pictures. Here are shots of the growing crowd, looking east:
and then west:
There were buildings with second floor terraces that were also filling up with spectators:
and this one, where the announcers were keeping everyone informed about each of the parade entries:
The color guard came through and paused while we sang the National Anthem:
There were a total of 84 entries, or floats, and there were the usual collections of dogs:
horses:
including this small horse:
classic cars:
covered wagons:
and buses:
There were also lots of fire engines, rescue vehicles and the usual autos with the politicians and other local businesses. The one thing that was missing was marching bands. We guessed that maybe the schools weren't large enough or there weren't enough schools or there wasn't money in their budgets for instruments and uniforms.
The parade lasted for over an hour and we walked to the ice cream parlor on the town square and each had a cone while sitting in the park. We are always fascinated by the elk antler arches on each corner of the square that are very popular locations for photographs:
We were able to get a photo of another wildflower on our walk home that is common in town, called Goatsbeard:
These look much like dandelions, but are larger.
We spent the rest of the afternoon sitting outside and enjoying the beautiful weather until an isolated thunderstorm came through late in the afternoon. The fireworks began at 10 PM and we watched them through our rear window in the fifth wheel since we are only a couple blocks from the site where they were held. They were just OK, and only lasted for about 20 minutes.
It was a wonderful day and we were glad we walked to town to enjoy the festivities. It looks like another beautiful day today, but nothing is planned at this point. We'll let things develop as the day progresses...
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Earning Our Wages
We expected to be busy yesterday on our final shift for the week, but it was unbelievably busy. We had over 70 check-ins plus two buses making a total of 110 guests to check into the lodge. An average night is about 40 check-ins plus buses. There were times that we had people waiting in line to check-in and between about 5 PM and 7 PM, there was little let-up for us to even carry on a conversation among ourselves. There were all kinds of crazy people coming in. Some we couldn't understand because they barely spoke English, and one other came in that was so high on dope that he smelled like a skunk. He was wearing a suit jacket that still had the price tag dangling from it, shorts and flip-flops, and could barely speak coherent sentences. That one we had to refuse a room and send him on his way. We could almost write a book on the varied types that try to take rooms at the lodge.
We are looking forward to today's activities, starting with a pancake breakfast in town this morning and followed by the 4th of July parade at 10 AM. The plan is to drive into town and park in our usual parking lot behind the Hansen Whitewater office location. The last time we parked there on our whitewater float trip we had a problem getting out as a result of having the big truck and very little room to maneuver out of the packed lot. This time, we will find a space near the exit so it doesn't matter how many vehicles come in behind us. I hope the plan works. We can watch the fireworks tonight from the back of our fifth wheel as the fairgrounds where the fireworks take place are a short distance from us in town.
The rest of our time off this week is not planned as yet. We have talked about another bike ride, or perhaps a hike, but a lot depends on the weather. It is still hot - high of 88 yesterday, and 90 the day before - so unless it cools down a bit, we will limit the amount of heavy physical activity. Taking a drive through any part of this beautiful country is always an option...
Last minute update - we will be walking to town...
We are looking forward to today's activities, starting with a pancake breakfast in town this morning and followed by the 4th of July parade at 10 AM. The plan is to drive into town and park in our usual parking lot behind the Hansen Whitewater office location. The last time we parked there on our whitewater float trip we had a problem getting out as a result of having the big truck and very little room to maneuver out of the packed lot. This time, we will find a space near the exit so it doesn't matter how many vehicles come in behind us. I hope the plan works. We can watch the fireworks tonight from the back of our fifth wheel as the fairgrounds where the fireworks take place are a short distance from us in town.
The rest of our time off this week is not planned as yet. We have talked about another bike ride, or perhaps a hike, but a lot depends on the weather. It is still hot - high of 88 yesterday, and 90 the day before - so unless it cools down a bit, we will limit the amount of heavy physical activity. Taking a drive through any part of this beautiful country is always an option...
Last minute update - we will be walking to town...
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Walk Routine
There are some locations that Josie just doesn't feel comfortable riding her bike just yet. One of those is around town where there is lots of traffic next to the bike lanes and I guess I understand that. So, instead of riding her bike to the stores, she gets exercise by walking. Yesterday, we both walked to the Sports Authority store at the edge of town to look for some casual shoes for me ( no luck) and that was about a 2.5 mile round trip walk for us. Josie followed that with another 2 mile round trip walk to Albertsons grocery store to buy lunch for us before going to work. With the temperature hitting 90 degrees yesterday, it was a bit warm but made for some great exercise.
We are in the calm before the storm at work as we approach the 4th of July weekend. The lodge is sold out for the weekend which also includes the Wyoming Gun Show that is held here each year. There is hardly a room available anywhere in town for the weekend and, believe it or not, some people still travel the holiday weekend without reservations. We feel sorry for some of those people since kids are involved and it's a shame that they have to waste so much time locating accommodations at the last minute. It's the same story every year.
One more day - today - and we get to enjoy a couple days off. Tomorrow will be taken up with the 4th celebration and we will kick that off with the pancake breakfast in town that precedes the parade. We will go early so that we get a good spot to watch the parade. It doesn't seem like it's been a year since we watched the parade on the 4th last year. We are hoping for the weather to continue clear and maybe even cool down a bit for the festivities...
We are in the calm before the storm at work as we approach the 4th of July weekend. The lodge is sold out for the weekend which also includes the Wyoming Gun Show that is held here each year. There is hardly a room available anywhere in town for the weekend and, believe it or not, some people still travel the holiday weekend without reservations. We feel sorry for some of those people since kids are involved and it's a shame that they have to waste so much time locating accommodations at the last minute. It's the same story every year.
One more day - today - and we get to enjoy a couple days off. Tomorrow will be taken up with the 4th celebration and we will kick that off with the pancake breakfast in town that precedes the parade. We will go early so that we get a good spot to watch the parade. It doesn't seem like it's been a year since we watched the parade on the 4th last year. We are hoping for the weather to continue clear and maybe even cool down a bit for the festivities...
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Lawn Work
As mentioned before, we are responsible for maintaining our own lawn area around our site. We have been mowing the grass and watering the entire area just about every day. We once again mowed the lawn yesterday and have been averaging about once a week for that chore. It really doesn't take much time and effort to maintain, and it has paid off so far. I took a couple shots of the nice green lawn:
I also took a shot of the campground, as it is completely filled every day:
It sure is nice to see the clear, blue skies each morning.
We have talked about another bike ride, but have pretty much decided to save those for our days off since we don't want to misjudge times and be late for work some day. The work week seems to go fast anyway, so it isn't that much time between physical activities.
It was a relatively slow night last night and we are between busy times at the lodge. Of course, this weekend is the 4th of July holiday, so it will get super busy once again by the time tomorrow afternoon rolls around. We plan to go to the pancake breakfast in town before the parade on Thursday. This year, we have the day off, so we will be able to take advantage of the local festivities of the holiday. If the weather holds out, it should be a great time...
I also took a shot of the campground, as it is completely filled every day:
It sure is nice to see the clear, blue skies each morning.
We have talked about another bike ride, but have pretty much decided to save those for our days off since we don't want to misjudge times and be late for work some day. The work week seems to go fast anyway, so it isn't that much time between physical activities.
It was a relatively slow night last night and we are between busy times at the lodge. Of course, this weekend is the 4th of July holiday, so it will get super busy once again by the time tomorrow afternoon rolls around. We plan to go to the pancake breakfast in town before the parade on Thursday. This year, we have the day off, so we will be able to take advantage of the local festivities of the holiday. If the weather holds out, it should be a great time...
Monday, July 1, 2013
Around the Home
The temperatures, like much of the west these days, were soaring and it was really too warm to ride bikes or hike anywhere. It reached over 90 degrees here yesterday and that is hot for this area. Josie had laundry to do and I wanted to install the new Cateye bike computer that we got for the bicycle, so we used the morning to complete those activities.
I did a lot of research and comparison of bike computers and decided on the Cateye Strada Wireless computer, which combined some good features with low cost. The only negatives while reading the reviews were related to installation. The reviews were right-on regarding the difficulty in interpreting the instructions. I was able to get it installed, but it is not working at this point so I need to troubleshoot the problem and try to get it working this morning. Josie, in the meantime, was doing the laundry at a different facility hoping to save time by using larger machines. She met with her own frustration as the machines at this facility used more coins and didn't wash or dry with the same efficiency as the machines that we have at our laundry facility on site at the lodge. So, our activities in the morning didn't go as planned, or as hoped.
I did a couple fish fillets on the grill before going to work and caught this Paraglider coming down from the mountain behind our RV spot:
This was a familiar sight last summer and it has started up again. We will be seeing these paragliders for the rest of the season.
One thing that Josie and I have noticed this year is the difference, for some reason, in the attitudes of some of the guests. There appears to be more "grumpy" guests than last year, and more guests are complaining about little things that we didn't notice last year. There will always be some folks that you can't please, no matter what you do, but there seems to be more of those now. We hope it's just a passing trend, as we enjoy our jobs and like to see people enjoying their vacations...
I did a lot of research and comparison of bike computers and decided on the Cateye Strada Wireless computer, which combined some good features with low cost. The only negatives while reading the reviews were related to installation. The reviews were right-on regarding the difficulty in interpreting the instructions. I was able to get it installed, but it is not working at this point so I need to troubleshoot the problem and try to get it working this morning. Josie, in the meantime, was doing the laundry at a different facility hoping to save time by using larger machines. She met with her own frustration as the machines at this facility used more coins and didn't wash or dry with the same efficiency as the machines that we have at our laundry facility on site at the lodge. So, our activities in the morning didn't go as planned, or as hoped.
I did a couple fish fillets on the grill before going to work and caught this Paraglider coming down from the mountain behind our RV spot:
This was a familiar sight last summer and it has started up again. We will be seeing these paragliders for the rest of the season.
One thing that Josie and I have noticed this year is the difference, for some reason, in the attitudes of some of the guests. There appears to be more "grumpy" guests than last year, and more guests are complaining about little things that we didn't notice last year. There will always be some folks that you can't please, no matter what you do, but there seems to be more of those now. We hope it's just a passing trend, as we enjoy our jobs and like to see people enjoying their vacations...
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