Several crazy/wonderful things have happened on this journey. One being that we finally made it to the top of the Empire State building in NYC...and we finally saw Niagara Falls. Our lives did not need to do that...but...hey, it's happened...and it was part of the delight of this journey.
Another of those boyhood dreams realized is staying tonight in the very old Old Faithful Inn...which this year is 104yo. We marveled over the fact that the Inn is only 18 months older than Judy's Mom...who, as most know, is now 102 years and 6 months old.
This place has all the patina of age...and creaks and groans with the wind. We were fortunate to get a room just off the lobby balcony on the second level. It is ancient...and who knows who all has stayed in Room 127.
Because this is one of the "Grand Lodges of the National Parks" and is on the National Historic Register, there is a very careful renovation happening that will take several years to complete...as great pains are being taken to upgrade...but not take away from the century old charm of the place. We enjoy staying in these kinds of places...and thus...one more dream come true.
The ground floor lobby is huge...with four working fireplaces in one, which goes eight stories up to the roof. Everything at the Inn radiates from this space.
All around the second to fourth levels are balconies with reading alcoves, writing desks, and groupings of chairs for conversation...as there is no conversation space in the rooms...those are for sleeping and bathing. :-) Judy caught me from the lobby floor on the way to our room.
Our room is so ancient that it does not have electric plugs in it...just one in the bathroom. And...no shower...just this clawfoot tub. Ancient faucets...great old marble around the sink...well, we are almost back 100 years ago.
There is also a huge veranda with tables and chairs and benches from which to see Old Faithful Geyser spout off every 90 minutes, or so. Out around the geyser, at a safe distance, because of the boiling water spewing forth, are benches...and they are crowded every time she blows. Here you see me working on keeping up with some of the birthday and anniversary cards I like to send out from time to tome (R & M...I was working on your card).
Awhile ago we also took a two mile walk around the geyser basin close to the inn. Absolutely amazing to see, hear and smell all the fissures that were coming from the earth in this huge caldura area. Doing a 360 you could see steam coming up everywhere. As has been happening every day, this walk among the uniqueness of creation has enlarged our hearts with God's creativity, greatness and goodness. Over and over again one of us has said, "Thank You, God, for eyes to see in vivid color."
Back at the Inn as the sun was setting this evening, and we were reading just outside our room, some kids dashed past squealing with delight yelling, "It's snowing!!!" Indeed, it was. Here is the setting sun glowing through falling snow. It seemed a perfect benediction to a more than remarkable day. Indeed...we close out this night...in awe.
It would be great fun to come back here...and to the Teton National Park to the south with friends some day. Any takers...?!?
Love the bathtub pic!
Posted by: shannou | May 31, 2007 at 11:52 AM