So This Is Summer...

 The snow is nearly gone, temperatures are rising and the mosquitoes are biting. Summer has finally arrived at Brooks Lake. The last two weeks have been both exciting and boring. My adventure took an unexpected turn when I developed appendicitis on the 26th of June. I had to have surgery, but not to worry it went smoothly and my recovery has been swift and painless as well. As scary as the whole ordeal was it was also a blessing. God used my illness to show me that I am not the only Christian at the lodge. My friend and coworker is a Christian as well. When I was curled up in pain in my bed, scared of what was wrong with me and feeling so alone, my friend Cortney offered to pray with me. I literally wept with joy and relief. I know I am here for a reason but it sure is nice to know I don't have to be here alone. I am so excited to spend time in fellowship with Cortney. I am also excited to see how the LORD will move in the lives of my coworkers who are not believers.

   
As I said earlier Summer has finally arrived and I am loving it. My friend Sofia and I had the day off yesterday so we decided to go hang out in Jackson Hole. We could not have picked a better day! The weather was beautiful. We came after the bulk of the 4th of July crowd had left so there weren't to many tourist. It was fun to walk through the beautiful western town. We browsed through shops, admiring things we could never afford. We visited several art galleries, all of which were filled with exquisite western art. The detail in the paintings, sculptures and carvings was amazing. We ate lunch at Pearl Street Meat & Fish Co. where we enjoyed  delicious grilled steak sandwiches. We walked around until we were so hot we had to stop for ice-cream. It was so nice to be hot! We ate our ice-cream in the middle of the town square. All-in-all it was a pretty great day. Oh and did I mention we also got our pictures taken with some pretty famous people! Happy Summer : )

Week 1 Day 5

I've been here for nearly a week now and I think I'm finally getting my bearings up here. My lungs are finally adjusting to the altitude change and my internal clock is getting used to my new schedule. I'm also getting to used to trudging through snow in the cold even though it June! It has stopped snowing so that's good, now we just need the five feet we have to melt so that it can be summer for the guests! I spent yesterday cleaning the Spa (which I will be taking advantage of : ) and shoveling snow. I also got to go to the Rodeo in DuBois last night with the crew. It's been a while since I've been but I still remembered most of the events. My favorites had to be the little girl barrel racing on a miniature pony and the Mutton Busting. My friends from London couldn't comprehend the idea of children riding sheep, even after they saw it! I had fun but I probably won't be going again until it gets warmer : )
    Today I've been cleaning and prepping for our first guests who arrive tomorrow! It a Disney Adventures group so we will have a full house...Wish me luck : D

Week 1 Day 3

                                       
Hi all! It's Amanda here, writing to you from beautiful (and snowy) Brooks Lake Lodge in DuBois, WY. I thought I should write a blog so that I can capture memories and experiences and share them with y'all. I hope you'll enjoy reading about my adventures as much as I enjoy having them.

The Stables

The Lodge

   I arrived here on Tuesday evening after a lovely 6 hr drive through Yellowstone National park from Bozeman, MT. I had to take an alternate road up to the lodge as the main road is covered in snow and is virtually nonexistent right now. I drove about a fourth of the way up and came across an SUV from the ranch parked in the road. I found it odd that they were waiting for me half way up the road but nonetheless I was relieved to have an escort. The Managers wife Julie emerged from the drivers side and came to greet me and quickly informed me that she had a car full of employee's she had recently picked up from the airport. She was not waiting to escort me as I had assumed but rather was waiting herself for help from the lodge because her SUV had broken down! Help soon came in the form of Adam (the manager) and some other ranch hands. They quickly assessed the situation and began to transfer luggage from the SUV to their van. Julie and her three passengers, Alex (Angler from Idaho), Amy (front desk from London), and Cat (bartender also from London) piled into their van and we were on our way. About 1/4 of a mile down the road we stopped to transfer myself and my things in to the van as my car could go no farther. We drove another 1/4 mile and stopped again to transfer all of our things into another van with crazy triangle snow wheels because the regular van could not make it up the remaining un-plowed road. While here we picked up Taylor (angler from Pennsylvania). Finally we made it to the ranch, which is currently covered in 4-6 feet of snow! Amy, Cat and I were then shown to our rooms in the lodge called "the stables". We unloaded our things and then made our way to the main lodge for dinner. We had grilled chicken, mixed veggies and salad and chocolate chip cookies for dessert. At dinner I met the chef and her daughter Jan (baker from AZ), Michael (chef), Courtney (server, Michigan), Ian (server, Maryland), Cortney (wrangler,TX), Cotty (front desk, Seattle WA), Skinner (head wrangler), Meg (wrangler, Indiana), and Tanner (angler). I spent the remainder of the evening exploring the lodge and getting settled. The next morning at 7am a bit flustered because my alarm didn't go off but happy that I woke up anyway. I quickly dressed and tromped through the snow to breakfast with Amy and Cat. We had pancakes and scrambled eggs. At breakfast I met Sofia, a wrangler, who had arrived late the night before from Sweden! After Breakfast I got to go through and organize the arts and crafts bins and the game cabinet. I am very excited for the summer now that I know all the fun things I'll get to do with the kiddo's! We had chili for lunch. I met my roommate Laura who is a wrangler from right here in DuBois. After lunch Amy, Cotty and I cleaned the Lodge until dinner. We had chicken casserole and broccoli. After supper We gathered on the front porch of the stables and soaked up the sun while we got to know each other. Sofia's roommate Charlotte (wrangler,Michigan) arrived along with Michelle( housekeeper, China). When it got cold we went inside to our lounge area and played pool. Overall it was a pretty good first day. This morning I went to breakfast. while their I met Olivia( housekeeper, China). I spent the day polishing silverware with Courtney and Ian while everyone else took a CPR/First aide course. I finished at 3 and am now relaxing until dinner, after which I have orientation. O yeah did I mention it's snowing! Has been since about 11am! Happy June!