Out There with Lea & Larry: Fond Yellowstone thoughts

Having fond thoughts of our time in the Yellowstone, Montana area and want to share these additional photos. We made so many wonderful friends including guests, workampers, owners/managers/family members of YHR and locals such as the folks at Parade Rest, Campfire Lodge, and The Happy Hour. For them, it's just another season under their belts but for us, it's an experience we won't soon forget!

As the season wound down....

We converged on Happy Hour Grill for one final "Crabby Wednesday" and roasted marshmallows a final time around the campfire with fellow-travelers, Bob and Ellen. We took in a live production - "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" - at the local playhouse and cruised through the little shops in West Yellowstone. Liz and Randy took us on a YNP hike to Lone Star Geyser - impressive 15-20 minute eruption and a bonus rainbow! We took in the fall colors along roads now very familiar to us and even experienced the first snow of the season! We grilled the last of our Schwan's salmon and made a hodge-podge dinner - that Sarah can cook (remembering rhubarb pie)! We made waffles covered with sweet local huckleberry syrup again in the Beaver Den. Albert - I think he put a whole stick of butter on one waffle! One thing is for certain... we like to eat!

I love my bracelets, Bekky!

All the while, we went about the work to put the park in hibernation for the winter - cabins cleaned a final time and plumbing winterized, rental boats pulled and stored, last rounds of mowing and weed-eating, inventorying the store, cleaning supplies, and garage equipment, and even some much-needed maintenance on our own stuff (bikes and RV). We moved from "The Hill" into the Premium campsites closer to the water and with our large back window, enjoyed beautiful views of the lake our last couple of weeks in YHR.

We were invited to a wonderful end-of-season dinner at the Dumke's beautiful lake home. And, we enjoyed homemade spaghetti made by Margie and J.C. on our last night in the park - sharing laughter and stories about our Montana experiences. Such is the way friendships are made...

And then... it's on the road again for us. Maps in hand...