Peaks and Valleys . . . of Wyoming and Life

There are always peaks and valleys in life.  Our drive from Nebraska to Wyoming was awful.  A total valley.

I have never been more afraid.  These winds.  I can not understand why Chicago gets all the publicity for being windy.  Driving through the great plains is W.I.N.D.Y.  Somewhere between Nebraska and Casper, WY it all went terribly wrong.  We encountered wind gusts up to 45mph that ripped things to pieces.  Praise God nobody was injured during this . . .

Our tow vehicle should look like this.  Complete with bikes, Rocket Box for storage and paddle board.  Somewhere in northern Nebraska or southern Wyoming we saw the awning on the side of the RV flapping out in the wind again, which makes this dreadfully scary knocking sound when it swings out.  Mr. Fix-It pulled over and tried to repair what he could.  A few more miles down the road, we noticed the paddle board raising up in the wind.  Immediately, we pulled over.  Too late.  We watched the entire roof rack blowing away behind us in the rear camera.  It was like we were watching that horrible black and white scene from the Wizard of Oz where everything is swirling around in the sky.  I began praying for those traveling behind us.

We could only wonder what damage the impact of the Rocket Box and paddle board caused.  This was the view from the rear camera.  I felt sick.

This was the top of our car after the torment of the winds.  Notice the entire roof rack is gone!  It ripped everything off.

I tried to go out and help Mr. Fix-It.  I could barely stand against the wind, and don't even get me started on the dust.  It was not safe.  When something like this happens, your only choice is to drive.  It's almost more unsafe to sit on the narrow shoulder of the road in this huge rig.  After 20 minutes (but what seemed like hours) Mr. Fix-It had at least managed to get the roof rack and Rocket Box affixed back to the vehicle.

Mr. Fix-It's work in progress.

The paddle board suffered some career ending injuries.  At this point, we didn't trust the roof rack to hold the paddle board and the Rocket Box.  We drove the rest of the way to Casper, WY sandwiched between the paddle board and the seats in the RV.  I love to paddle board, and was so excited to be able to bring it along on our trip.  But seeing it beat up and encumbering our space inside the RV, I wanted to ditch it.  When I considered the potential danger it could've posed to those sharing the road with us, I felt nautious.  I'm thinking, whatever the cost, hauling this board is a risk I prefer not to take again.  Once we arrived at the campsite, my handyman husband headed to the hardware store to get some resin and fiberglass, and what seemed like a couple hundred tie-downs with cranks to further secure our toys.  He knows how much I enjoy paddling, and therefore spent long hours devising a plan for us to safely haul our belongings despite what these ridiculously harsh winds may deliver.  He stayed outside until after midnight repairing the hole in the paddle board and the damage to the fin.  Our vessel floats once again!

RV livin' in Casper, WY.  Yee-haw.

You can see the mountain peaks in the distance of our campground, but coming off the heels of our interstate debacle, our experience in Casper was something of a "valley" experience.  We were there on a Sunday, and Sundays are always downer days.  It's really really hard to find good churches to visit.  If we have a good Internet connection in a small town, we'll just do church online.  If we're in a decent sized city offering some good options, we'll do church brick-and-mortar style.  In Casper, we did church online which always leaves us feeling a bit lonely.  While it's great to be able to plug in, it also reminds us of the community we're missing at home.  We needed to get out and do something.  We opted for some shop therapy.  Enter . . . The Lou Taubert retail legacy . . .

The largest ranch outfitter store in the country -- Casper, WY.

I can't think of a single thing we could possibly use at this 55,000 square foot retail rodeo.  

But it was fun.

From Casper, we drove north to Cody.  Our valley quickly became a peak, literally and figuratively.  Cody is nestled in the most picturesque mountainous landscape.  Named after "Buffalo Bill" Cody, this tiny metropolis dazzled us with it's flair for all things western. 

Minutes after throwing the motor home in park, we explored the ice cold creek flowing from the mountains behind us.

First day of school.  4th, 2nd and Kindergarten.  Yes, CBR is shooting me.

We had to get around to it sooner or later.

We started school in Wyoming.

We even got new school uniforms to kick off the occasion!

Our school year commenced with an evening "Back to School Bash"  . . . Cody Stampede Rodeo style.  We were pumped!  Cody has a rodeo every single night from May to September.  The bull riders on the professional circuit have to earn a certain amount of money to qualify, so places like Cody attract aspiring talent from all over the west.  We dressed to impress, and tried our best to fit in with the locals.

CBR was certainly feeling the vibe.  He went 8 seconds on a 2,000 pound bull named "Hollywood".  If you slip the owner of this bull an Alexander Hamilton, you too can hop aboard for a photo opp.  I assure you, this was his mountain peak experience. 

Yep, it's real.

What a bunch of outlaws.

Our seats were directly over the bull chutes, and overlooking the mountains peaks.
Everywhere you looked, it was a "peak" experience.

The rodeo whetted our appetite for riding, so we headed out first thing the next morning for Bill Cody Ranch.  We were all anxious to ride through the beautiful mountain scenery.  We got sidetracked talking to the owners of the ranch, and missed our trail ride.  It was a great mishap, because we got to go alone with our guide.  It was our own little private ride.  Our guide was this friendly young guy, Jonathan.  Turns out, he's from South Carolina and just graduated from Clemson.  We had the best time talking and learning about him.  He shared the whole story with us about his faith, and how he'd prayed over the decision to come to Wyoming.  He talked about how hard it was to leave his home, but that he'd already been able to share the truth of Jesus in his life with several people by working as a ranch hand.  To be horseback, on those mountains, with my children, discussing God's providence with this stranger, was a mountain peak experience on the mountain peaks.

LAR riding Mouse and our guide, Jonathan.  Mouse had once fallen off the edge of a cliff while tied to a tree!  Mouse was just hanging there!  They had to cut the line, and he tumbled all the way down.  Tough horse.

You should be able to see two mountain ranges behind the one pictured, but because of forest fires in Montana, the smoke clouded our visibility.

Us.

Now that school has begun, our days look a little different.  If we're going to be out exploring, we'll do a little school in the morning & then we'll go out in the afternoon or vice versa.  You can't visit Cody, Wyoming without touring the Bill Cody Historical Center.  So, we planned to get a little school done in the am, and then go to the museum.  Our school studies have obviously included US Geography.  This particular morning we'd been discussing the largest state by land area (Alaska), and the smallest state (Rhode Island).  We'd also talked about different species of birds, mammals, etc., abundant in Wyoming.  We'd spent the morning before the museum talking about the Peregrine Falcon.  Unknowingly, we arrived at The Bill Cody Historical Center just as they were hosting a live bird  exhibit featuring a Peregrine Falcon.  How timely.  This historical center is way cool.  We learned a lot about Buffalo Bill, scouting buffalo, the plains Indians, world records for big game hunting, and firearms.  This museum houses the most comprehensive collection of firearms in the world.  I have never seen so many guns.  They displayed these huge shotguns with swords attached.  I guess if the shotgun spray didn't kill your target, hopefully it'd be wounded enough for you to run up and stab it without having to switch weapons???  CBR pulled me all the way to the 2nd floor of this exhibit just freaking out with excitement to show me a particular gun.  This thing was so tiny it was fit for a Barbie Doll.  CBR named it the Rhode Island gun.  And I thought he wasn't paying attention earlier during school.  If you're a gun enthusiast, this is a must see.  

This Peregrine Falcon has an injured right wing, confining him to captivity.

At 52 degrees upon arrival at the Bill Cody Historical Center, our crew was shivering - but we HAD to see what this Bill Cody look-a-like was doing.  We ate beans and cinnamon bread with this guy.  He showed us how all the covered wagons of the pioneer days were outfitted with supplies, and how they'd cook over open fires with the actual equipment of the late 1800's.  It was neat, but our inner thermostats have been conditioned to South Carolina heat & this cold spell was too harsh for our blood.  We went inside.

Doesn't the guy cooking look just like this statue?

The museum had an entire section dedicated to world record hunted . . . everything.  The biggest of all sorts of animals arranged in spooky stances by some artistic taxidermist.  This exhibit was fascinating, but what's more fun for me, is when I can talk my kids into posing with enthusiasm in front of dead things.  What on earth happened to CBR's eyes in this picture?

We left Cody, and headed west to Yellowstone National Park.  I had never been, and was particularly excited to see for myself all the hoopla over Old Faithful.  But, as I mentioned before, I love to paddle board, and I'm a sucker for pretty water in pretty places.  Just a few miles outside of Cody, I persuaded my personal driver to stop on the side of the road so I could paddle some enticing water.

The view from the house.  If you had a house on wheels, you'd have stopped too.

Look closely out my window above, and you'll discover the same as I.  My charming personal driver had snatched my paddle board before me.  It was my idea, already!

We ended up staying on the side of the road for a couple of hours.  It was a gorgeous place to paddle - crystal clear water - just a lot of smoke from neighboring forest fires clouding the view of my mountain peak experience.

CER paddling.  I'm STILL waiting.

The kids built another dugout on the beach area.  They designed this one with a carport.

 

Finally, I got my ride on the board . . . 

After I had my turn on the water, we were off for Yellowstone.  

The other two were asleep.

Yellowstone truly is breathtaking.  It was a gorgeous day, so we were traveling with the windows open.  We had planned to stay at one of the few campgrounds inside Yellowstone that could accommodate our big rig, and could offer full hook-ups.  (This means we'd get Electric, Water, and Sewer)  Just as we were getting ready to pull into the campground . . . 

Oh yeah, my personal driver has a new driving hat.  Isn't he dashing?

I know we're at Yellowstone.  I know I have so much for which to be thankful.  But.  I feel a "valley" coming on.  I am weary.  Turns out, I'm terrible at homeschooling, I'm fully aware of my dependency on cell/Internet service, and we have neither.  Fishing Bridge campground feels like we're a bunch of cows crammed into a feed lot, and gas just jumped 60 cents a gallon.  I don't like any of the school curricula I've chosen, I'm fussy with everyone I see, and it this point I'd like to pack my stuff and go.  By myself.

Furthermore, this is my bedroom.  Also, a closet for five people.  And an office.

 Now might be a good time to press the point about our space limitations.  Have I mentioned that I can shut my bedroom door and place things on the bathroom counter without ever getting out from underneath the covers of my bed?  Have I mentioned that our "table" wobbles every time you touch it.  You can't eat there or everything will spill.  We can't use it for a school desk; pencils will roll right off the table.  We have a severe crack in one windshield, and a rock just hit the good windshield yesterday.  Ordering a windshield, and organizing a place for delivery and a repair man for that takes some orchestrating.  Our inverter also blew up our Crock Pot.  

One child, who may or may not be pictured in the above photo, has developed a bed-wetting problem.  We can't fit bedding in our washer/dryer combo unit.  We've been using more and more laundromats.  Naturally, we can't launder the mattress pad, so after I clean it, it hangs on our mirrors.  Real classy.

Then.  Then, I get sick and spend an entire morning at a walk-in clinic in Montana trying to get some medicine to keep me from vomiting.  

Yes, I'm in beautiful Yellowstone National Park.  And I'm in an emotional valley.

Thankfully, the greatest things surrounding valleys are peaks.

God is teaching me a lesson on FOCUS.  Peaks and valleys can both be beautiful.

 I am learning that this . . . "world is so complex and overstimulating that you can easily lose your sense of direction.  Doing countless unnecessary activities will dissipate your energy.  When you spend time with God, He restores your sense of direction.

As you look to Him for guidance, you're enabled to do less but accomplish more."

-- an excerpt from Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young

The valleys are no fun, but they do force me to lean into God.  He's pulled me from the pit of despair, and shown me some peaks.

Why bother with my bad curricula?  Yellowstone's Park Ranger Programs provide an awesome science class.

We saw tons of bison, a coyote, and elk - gorgeous creatures.

One afternoon, the kids were building a tipi right in front of the motor home.  The next morning we looked up, and there was a bison walking right through the tipi!  Crazy.

Paddling the Yellowstone River.

Enjoying the journey, and not just the destination.  Yellowstone Lake.

Today's science topic was "Keystone species within the Yellowstone ecosystem."

Teacher's pet.  The Park Ranger let CER help him carry the wolf carcass and other expired things back to the lodge for him.

Old Faithful's tapering spew.

Just as Old Faithful was beginning to erupt, CBR looked behind at me wide-eyed.  He was smiling, of course, and showcasing his dimples.  He softly whispered "wow."  I hope I never stop hearing his sweet voice say that in my mind.

Geysers everywhere.  A spectacular display of colors.

The water was too cold for me, but the girls wanted to float down some rapids.  This nice gentleman and his son agreed to keep an eye on them, while I waited downstream.  

They jumped in with their clothes on.  They loved it!

One day, we took a trip down to the Grand Tetons.  What a park!  Tons of moose, and lakes formed from glaciers.  A feast for the eyes.  

(Though we did notice quite a bit of smoke here from forest fires in Idaho.)

Jenny Lake in the Grand Tetons.

See the moose?  Did you know they can stay underwater for a full minute while diving for aquatic plants?

Taking the Junior Ranger oath.

Playing in the Snake River. 

Headed to church -- West Yellowstone, MT.

 Early into our stay in Yellowstone, we switched campgrounds.  We opted to stay at a wonderful place outside the park in West Yellowstone, MT.  Our neighbors were traveling with seven children.  Wowza.

Playing in the neighborhood.

This is the kid's new love.  We have a shower in the motor home, but they LOVE bagging up all their shower supplies and using the showers at the campgrounds.  Some places are really tidy, and some are just disgusting.  They don't seem to notice a difference.  They're delighted by the whole idea.

Whether we're at home in the lowcountry, or on the road surrounded by peaks, somehow we'll experience both.  In the meantime, we'll sit back and trust that wherever/however we are is where we're meant.

Peaks or valleys.  In the end, it's all worth it.