Day - 20 Musings at Snow Lodge
Whenever beds are in the picture, it seems that early mornings aren’t. As I stated in my previous post, we’re staying at the Snow Lodge in Yellowstone. “How?” you may ask considering our strict budget and scrooge-like tightfistedness. Well, it was no doing of our own. It was a blessing from a kind benefactor. You know who you are so I won’t reveal your identity. From now on, let’s just call this person Papa Blackjack. He saw fit to not only grant us a two-night stay in this quality establishment but also sponsored a dinner for us. What a guy! In all seriousness, though, thanks Mr. J– oops! I mean, Papa Blackjack.
By now in our travels, I think we’re a little over national-parked. Thus, I blame that factor for us not being overly impressed here today. I’m sure Yellowstone is truly awe-inspiring but for us, today, it didn’t evoke much response. We toured some of the hot springs/geysers (not really sure of the difference), and that was entertaining because we hadn’t seen anything like them before here. By the way, Old Faithful was pretty cool. I mean, it was scalding, sure, but I consider that another notch in my National Parker belt to have witnessed an eruption from this famous geyser.
We would have ventured to other locales but the weather turned cold, rainy, then stormy. We just didn’t have the slightest inclination to combat it. I guess that can be expected after nearly three weeks on the road.
So I did what any English major should do on a stormy day; I curled up on a soft sofa, next to a warm fireplace, with a good book, and listened to the rhythm of the rain while I drifted away. Let’s just say that between yesterday’s drive and this afternoon, I made mincemeat of Eragon. Onto the next book in the series: Eldest.
After finishing the book, I took a moment to have a fireside chat FDR-style with a couple who shivered their way inside the door. They cozied up to the flames and let the heat erase the bone-deep memories of the dreary weather outdoors. We inquired about each other’s travels and shared experiences from the road. Then, as if on cue, a lady sits down at the piano to tickle the ivories playing rolling classical numbers as well as snatches of Claire de Lune. I really enjoyed that moment.
With no televisions, this hotel doesn’t offer a lot of entertainment (as evidenced by the boys hitting the hay before 10pm). The Snow Lodge, on the contrary, seems to be fostering some sort of community by investing in clusters of chairs and sofas versus tv’s. Maybe they’re taking a page out of Messiah’s book. Whatever they’re doing, I like it. This whole lodge has a rugged hospitality about it. It’s all logs and lampposts with clean spaces and hot showers.
Tomorrow holds in store another epic drive. I think the longest of the trip. Yipee! (If you could only hear the dryness in my voice as the monotones fill the air begrudgingly…) On the up side, at least we’ll have plenty of hours and miles to chalk up more road kill and pullovers (Heaven forbid that we aren’t one of the pullovers…or the road kill for that matter!)
- JD and the boys