Yellowstone Adventure- 2026 The Load Out

The truck has had its oil changed and tires rotated. It is ready for me to put another five thousand miles on it, which is just about what I put on a vehicle when I work at Yellowstone. Having done this work trip for seven years, I have learned what items I need to pack. Being a tech nerd, I have created a checklist on my phone that I go through as I pack. I don't use luggage, but I use two large bins, as these are better for hauling pillows, blankets, and sheets. After the first year I worked in Yellowstone, I learned that the most important item to bring is a small fan. The dorms are only heated and not air-conditioned. The windows in the dorm room can be opened, but I never do, as the dust is terrible there, and it just coats the room. I have also learned to bring my own power bank and extension cords. I also bring several bottles of water, as bottled water costs an arm and a leg if you purchase it at the store I work in.

I plan on making the trip in three days, as I don't like traveling at night. That also gives me plenty of time to see some sights on the way and to stop by Wall Drug to visit my friends that I worked with in 2020. So my first stop will be the end of Iowa, then Rapid City, and finally Bozeman, Montana. From Bozeman, it is only a two-hour drive to human resources at West Yellowstone. Also, Bozeman has a lot more places to stay that have reasonable rates as compared to West Yellowstone. Once my HR check-in is completed, I get released to head into the park and report to Chanda, the grocery store manager.

Taken off the waiting list

    I got an email from Delaware North's HR asking if I would like to work this summer until the store closes.  I accepted the offer and we agreed that my contract would be from July 20th to October 19th 2026. October 19th is when the store officially closes.  I am looking forward to this contract, as I need to get out of Indiana's heat and humidity.  I also am looking forward to seeing my Yellowstone friends again.  My contract will be to work at the grocery store the Old Faithful General Store.  I will be once again working for Ron, who I have worked for the past 7 times I have been assigned to grocery.  From what I hear the store and the dorms have been undergoing some major renovations.  The renovations are on going with the dorms, but have been mostly completed in the store.

 

 

   From what I hear the dorm changes have been progressing slowly and several things that help make living there have not been completed yet.  The rooms have been updated with new furniture, new light fixtures, three prong electric outlets, and new twin mattresses.  I have asked and was assured that I should have a room to myself when I arrive, which makes me very happy.  I have said this before in another blog post, but I would rather stay and close the store that arrive in April to open the store.  There is just too much snow still around in April and May to be able to hike like I like to do on my day off.  I also like to see the park change from fall to winter and I am a cold weather person too.

    I will be heading out bright and early July 17th following my usual route with stops in Iowa, Rapid City, and Bozeman.  I will drive from Bozeman to Delaware North HR to begin my on boarding.  I have heard it through the grapevine that I will be required to attended alcohol training again.  I have taken the training in the past and passed with flying colors and I see no reason to have to sit through it again, but HR is calling the shots.

   I will attempt to blog once a week on my days off to keep those at home informed and entertained. 

A Special Trip to Explore

    Around April 18th I decided to take an extended trip to see the desert southwest. I have been wanting to see Cero Gordo in Death Valley, as well as many other places of interest.  I also used this trip to stop and see my friends Mark and Mary in Nacogdoches Texas and my old classmate Shane and his wife Robin in Mesa Arizona. I explained to Cathy about what I was going to be doing on this trip and she decided it was not her cup of tea. Also I was going to be driving the truck because of the sketchy roads I wanted to travel.  The truck did great as I drove 6,270 miles. From Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, and then back home.

    I promised the grand-kids I would visit Tombstone Arizona and the graves of several good guys and bad guys. I also wanted to visit Biosphere II and the London Bridge in Lake Havasu. I wanted to explore Soda Springs in the Mojave desert and drive up the 8,000 feet to see the ghost town of Cerro Gordo.  Along the way I saw many sites that I never expected to visit that were diamonds in the rough. One was the cave system in Arizona as the Kartchner Caverns State Park.  I could not believe how interesting this place was and I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves caves and bats. I also got to see the many historical sites around Barstow California and many that dealt with being a Rout 66 stop.

   I plan on going back in the future to explore more of Death Valley and the Mojave Desert area.  It was a trip I thoroughly enjoyed and will have great memories of.