Road Trip ’23 – The People

This was a maddening trip … lots of time in the car, lots of sight seeing, lots of just the two of us. But it would not have been possible without other people – people who helped plan, people who shared from experience, and people behind the scene. But there were also people that made the trip better, that made the experience more memorable.

At Glen Eyrie, there was a cute couple who were working the castle and showed us the room, an elderly couple. They were volunteers that shared anyone who volunteered like they did could come back and stay for free. Also at Glen Eyrie, the Navigators’ Retreat Center, we met a delightful college student that was also volunteering for the summer. He was from Guana and worked in the international ministry area. Not only receiving college credit, he was equipping himself to go back and work with international ministries. 

The retreat center is also a place that ministers to her volunteers. Prepares them for future ministries and shows appreciation for senior and retired peeps. What a place with heart.

At Rocky Mountain NP, we meet a volunteer park ranger. Another volunteer. This nation is full of people that give their time and service. They invest in places and ministries. Retreat centers. Parks. Etc.

This park ranger volunteer gave great suggestions and ideas. He shared about the Lillies blooming in Nymph Lake and how they bloom once a year and we caught the best week.  

So my lovely wife desires to work at Glen Eyrie (just next to Garden of the Gods)  and I can volunteer with the NPS.

People interaction make a difference.

At Yellowstone NPS, we had terrific service at Old Faithful Inn. The front desk, the food service, everywhere. 

At the Artist Point, we bumped into an unusual couple – one with a Liberty University t-shirt. We stopped and talked for awhile. They didn’t go to LU, but their money did (their sons) – and every parent knows what I mean.

Another interaction we had was with two young kids. First, one saw our car had a Virginia license and they were thrilled to get our state marked off their license plate bingo. Not a lot of VA cars out in Wyoming.

Another young girl approached my wife and wanted to follow us to our car. You see, my wife was wearing a WV hoodie, and this girl wanted to see a WV license plate. We were a little bit concerned this young lass was becoming a stalker, but we apologized and said the shirt was not our home state. She didn’t need VA, so she was a bit disappointed.

Another group of people was a FaceBook group of those who visit Yellowstone and Tetons NPs. Great advice (like getting on the NP website daily to check the traffic problems) – Great insight (like get out early pre-sunrise if you want to see animals when they normally come out) – Warnings (prepare for no cell phone reception) – Great experience reviews (like self-guided tour apps that work off download and satellite / not cell service) and more. These veterans of Yellowstone NP shared great stories – and photos. Use social media, use YouTube, use everything to prepare.

Lastly, a special and huge thanks to my church family as they allowed us to get away. 

Mostly though, a special ‘love you’ and thanks to my wife for not kicking me out of the car and leaving me in the middle of no where Wyoming. Would have been a long hike back to the Virginia foothills.

People – people made the difference. And there are good people out there … there are good people right here too. 

Maybe you can be one of those people for others. Will you?