Lots Of Surprises

One of the coolest things I've discovered about Yellowstone in my research thus far?  There are native pelicans there.

You don't really think of pelicans as an inland bird, and yet there they are. 

I booked a couple of touring excursions for us while we are there -- they apparently fill up really quickly, too, and I wanted to be sure we got these.  One is a driving/walking tour of the Firehole Basin -- we'll get to see all the geysers, hot terraces, and bubbling mud pits one family could possibly dream of on this, and do so with someone who has a working knowledge of geology which is evenbetter.

The second is one I booked for myself at Mr. ReddHedd's urging:  it's a way-too-early in the morning photography "safari," which they try to keep to small numbers with an instructor who goes along to help you improve. 

Between now and then, the plan is that I'll have gotten myself a decent DSLR camera and worked on taking photos with it.  Am still looking at pros and cons of several models, but am having lots of fun with it at the moment without even having gotten a camera.

If anyone has suggestions, pros or cons, about a camera for a beginner who wants to do some nature photos, perhaps a few landscapes, maybe some decent macros, and just plain have some creative fun along the way?  Please let me know.

But today?  I have to run over to the Steptoe & Johnson old office building and spend several hours inventorying furniture that is being donated to St. Mary's (The Peanut's elementary school). 


The law firm has recently moved to a brand new building, and they have generously offered some gently used furniture to the school -- we may be able to get a new desk for every teacher if we are really lucky, and some gorgeous and sturdy library shelves to replace the rickety old ones they have now.

A local moving company -- Evans Transfer in Shinnston -- has offered to move the furniture over for us for free.  Bless them.

But the move is happening on Thursday and, between now and then, we need to know exactly what we can have, what we want of it, how much of each and sizes thereof, and all the logistics in between.  I've been trying to help with some of those, which has meant a lot of time on the phone and more than a few trips back and forth to look at furniture and figure out nitpicky details.

I just want the furniture to get to the school -- but to do that this inventory has to get done, and so off I go today.

I'll be counting desks and chairs and assorted tables and carts, but my mind will be on the soon-to-be-seen beauty of Yellowstone and the surrounding Grand Teton wonders. 

Hope everyone else has a wonderful Sunday...


(Photo via AR Nature Gal.  Love her other pix of Yellowstone, too.)