Saturday, June 20, 2009
America the Beautiful - Part I - 2:18 AM
Perhaps the best thing about having the opportunity to study and later working in the United States is the chance to travel this vast country. Amongst the trips, the more stand out ones are NYC - where I've been countless times, even spending one summer working as quite literally the Maid in Manhattan, mastering the subway, and avoiding all street food and museums up until this February; Chicago - where I met Peishan, Peiyun, and Amanda and relished being in a real city again after being trapped in Lansing for a grand 5 weeks - yes I thought I would die; San Francisco where the glorious awaiting seafood is worth the steep uphill treks; and Orlando where it is always magical thanks to a very friendly Mouse and his friends. Like I've always said, city girl thru and thru.America has always been a fascinating place, not just because of the generous servings at the Cheesecake Factory that asserts this country's reputation as the most overweight, nor the Barneys Sample sale, but because each state, city, and town has so much to offer on their own. From the East to West, North to South, to the middle of nowhere, you will be constantly surprised at what you may find. From the idyllic coasts of Maine to the mountain ranges in Colorado, the pristine beaches of Florida to the majestic Grand Canyon in Arizona, the impressive cityscape of Manhattan to the even more inspiring architecture in Las Vegas, you are never lacking options. You find people who look different, dress different, speak in different accents, eat different things, but I guess thats why we call it the United States of America.
Today, I add on my list of most memorable travels - Wyoming. Uh huh. You hear me. We booked our flights to Jackson Hole without knowing anything, not even the exact geographic location of Wyoming (somewhere further north, kind of in the middle, ulu ulu one la), frankly not even caring. But if Peiyun and the Travel Channel were to be trusted, then I know I will have to go to Wyoming, because that's where Grand Teton Park and Yellowstone National Park are.
If i have to describe Yellowstone and the Tetons in a single word, spectacular might have to be it. Spectacular, and maybe even more.
A mere 4 hour plane ride away stood rolling hills (cue: Sound of Music), majestic snow capped peaks, brilliant reflective lakes, and an abundance of wildlife. I never knew that air could smell so good. In other words, I always knew the grass was always greener on the other side, but never THIS green.
It rained that afternoon we arrived, but it didn't stop us from attempting a hike on the Jenny Lake trail.
**Note to self: Need to get a better camera on my next tripWe made our way to Buffalo Valley Ranch, with a couple of rotisserie chickens purchased from the grocery store in Jackson Hole for dinner, awoke the next morning to fresh air, and opened the door to a couple of new horses in a fenced clearing some 150 feet away.
Buffalo Valley Ranch - Tripadvisor proves itself yet again.
The brown horse closest to forefront of picture is new and perhaps eager to test out its new surroundings (either that or it was trying to break free, I'm not sure), and wouldn't stop running around and neighing. If I were to name it, no doubt it will be SassyWe booked a 2 hour horseback riding session and it remains the highlight of the trip, to me at least.
Partly because of him.
Denim is never made equal - Matt our 21 year old college-going wrangler who is cute AND down to earth. I now wholeheartedly believe that animals exist to make humans better beings. (and of course to carry us up the fricking mountain).But also because of them. Horses, not people. Just kidding!
L-R: Ruoyi on Bacon, Ruoxi on Flint, Me on Brandy, Lily on Maderick
Poor Yanru was on Classy who decided to suddenly develop a mind of her own during this 2 hour trip and caused Yanru some frustration, veered away to eat grass just as we were getting ready for the picture. It is NOT easy to line up the horses to take picture.We bid goodbye to Buffalo Valley Ranch, and headed off in search for lunch which happens to be a pizza courtesy of a recommendation by Matt.
Fantastic picturebook view from the Pizza Parlor by Leeks Marina. For that view, they can serve me a 2 day old sandwich and I probably won't even care.
After a fantastic start, we headed into Yellowstone Park, where we could not wait to spot some grizzlies! And we were not disappointed!
That's next!
Labels: Yellowstone