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!