How to Lose Weight and Keep it Off

December 31, 2019December 31, 2019Home Life, UncategorizedLeave a comment

In the new year many people will make New Year’s Resolutions, and lots of those will involve weight loss. Fitness and gyms see the most use in the month of January. My husband and I belong to a gym, and we have enjoyed a Saturday class there called Cardio Strength Training. A few months ago one of the instructors allowed me to interview her. I wanted to learn some tips for losing weight and keeping it off as we get older. As you will see from her answers these tips really apply to any age. Sherri Wright is certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) as a Behavior Change Specialist, a Personal Trainer certified through the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA), a Corrective Exercise Specialist (NASM), a Medical Exercise Specialist (Medical Exercise Training Institute), Group Fitness certified through the American Council on Exercise (ACE), and a certified Weight Loss Specialist (NASM). She has completed marathons, a Half Ironman Triathlon, and olympic distance triathlons, not to mention she is incredibly fit as you will see from my video at the end. So she knows what she is talking about! It was great talking with her, and I will summarize her tips and advice at the end of this post. I hope you find something helpful that you can use.

Cindy: I wondered if you could share with my readers some things you have learned about losing weight and keeping it off, especially for those of us over 50.

Sherri: So as you get older, and you’re not running and chasing your kids around anymore and you’re not doing the everyday activities that could naturally be movement, we have to be more intentional. More intentional about the calorie intake and realizing, “How much energy do I need at this age?” “How much energy am I putting out?” It’s probably not as much as when I was younger. So you have to come to a place where your going, “Here’s how many calories – I call it energy, managing your energy intake – do I really need for my lifestyle now?”

Cindy: So people aren’t as active when they get older.

Sherri: Yes, and when we were younger we started picking food that was easier to get to, more processed, which is full of sugar. And that’s one of my top things too is managing your insulin. …is what I call it. Because I feel like sugar is ….if you’re going to take anything out of your diet I would say definitely refined sugars. It causes your insulin to increase, which causes your body to store fat. And this starts this whole cycle.

Cindy: I’ve always heard your sugar level is supposed to stay fairly level with small ups and downs, not way up or way down.

Sherri: Right.

Cindy: And I’ve read that eating smaller meals throughout the day is a good way to keep your blood sugar level. But you’re saying we should give up refined sugar as well?

Sherri: Well, refined sugars are in things that are just not nutritionally dense. They are calories or energy that you take in that has no quality.

Cindy: What if you have a sweet tooth?

Sherri: Fruit (laughs). I mean if you’re asking me how to lose weight you have to be intentional. You can’t just think about it or say I’ll do that. I hear that a lot. So you have to…you know in the beginning you have to really be intentional about how you’re going to do that.

Cindy: So you’ve mentioned being more active and maintaining your sugar. What are some more tips?

Sherri: Definitely some sort of weight lifting. And I don’t mean going to the gym and start doing something you’ve never done in your life before, but I mean keeping your muscle mass for a lot of reasons – to keep metabolism going and refurbished, your body, your engine revved.

Cindy: Like in your class we do some weight lifting exercises but it’s fun because there’s the music and you don’t realize you’re working. It’s not on a machine. I’m so short the machines never fit me well. Sometimes the gym can be intimidating. But you’re saying it doesn’t have to be in the gym.

Sherri: It doesn’t have to be on a machine. You can use 5 pound or 10 pound weights, like we use in my class. Or it can be a medicine ball. But just keeping your muscle mass so you’re able to do the things you want to do and to keep your metabolism increased so when you take in the calories you’re efficient.

Cindy: So the more muscle mass you have, the more you’re going to burn calories even at rest. Because as we get older we lose muscle mass.

Sherri: Yes.

Cindy: So what’s another tip?

Sherri: Well from a behavioral standpoint I think creating habits of a healthy lifestyle. And some of that includes the people that you’re around a lot. If you’re around people who are on the same page and have the same goals you have more of a chance I think to continue like that. You know we all have friendships that are based on where we’re going to eat and what we’re going to drink and all that. And that’s fine, but…

Cindy: I’m a teacher, and we had a Goodie Table Day at school yesterday.

Sherri: I know. That’s hard to resist. It’s really hard not to do that, but each choice that you make in a day is taking you either one step toward your goal or one step away from your goal. And you create your goal. Come up with what you want. What do you want? Do you want to be healthy? I’m not talking about being skinny. I’m saying healthy. And what is that for you at your height and your weight? For example, are you pre-diabetic?

Cindy: How do people stick to those goals? What are some ways people can stay consistent? Because if it’s day to day choices and you mess up…sometimes you just think, “Well, I messed up so I might as well just keep going down that path.”

Sherri: You have to realize when you start that it’s not going to be easy. It does take discipline. It won’t be easy, but once you done it for – I’m just going to use 4 weeks as a measurement – and you see “I feel better. I think better, I sleep better.” A lot of the positives that come along with it, and you think it’s not worth it to me to stop. And if you mess up you know that one choice is not going to make or break things. And you say, “Next time I’m going to make a better choice.”

Cindy: So any other tips you can think of? These are all so good for any age but especially for folks like me who are over 50.

Sherri: I think just realizing that in the old days people had to expend a lot of energy just to survive, so they needed food. But think about us. When we go through a drive-through how many calories do you think it takes to talk to that person in the window, get our food, and eat it? Maybe 8 calories. How many calories did we just put in our body? 1500. So we’ve just eaten all we need for the day. I think if we are just more mindful about how much energy do we need to live and anything above that is going to be stored as fat.

Cindy: As we get older – especially us women – we have hormone changes. They go all wacky, and when we hit menopause sometimes it is harder to sleep. I’ve always heard that if you consistently lose sleep you are more susceptible to gaining weight. What are some ways to combat that?

Sherri: A lot of the ladies that I train are over 50, and we have the same conversation about abdominal fat. Your estrogen levels are decreasing, and having extra fat on your body releases estrogen. So you have to be more intentional about keeping your blood sugar level, because of the fact that your body is naturally now going to want to store fat to produce the estrogen. And just knowing that and having an education and awareness that this is what my body is doing may help us not eat the empty sugar calories. Our body is fighting to stay young. Going back to the insulin…part of the reason you don’t sleep is if you eat a large amount of calories late at night your insulin since it is way up right before you go to bed is going to plummet in the night and that basically wakes you up.

Cindy: That is one of my weaknesses – late night snacking. It’s like I try to reward myself once I get everything done. And I might not even be hungry.

Sherri: Being aware is important. Think more about what you can eat and not as much about what you can’t eat. If you think, “My body needs lots of fruits and vegetables today, so I’m going to eat that apple first.” And then most likely you might not have the cravings for as much of the other things.

Cindy: A lot of my readers follow my blog because of the travel stories. And I know when you are on a trip it is hard to maintain a regular diet and exercise routine. You and I talked before about you showing us some exercises that people can do at home or in a hotel room. So if it’s OK with you I’m going to start that video……

Sherri’s Weight Loss Tips:

Be more active.
Cut out refined sugars.
Begin some sort of weight lifting.
Be intentional, set goals, be disciplined.
Create habits of a healthy lifestyle. Hang around like-minded people.
Be mindful of how many calories we really need.
Keep blood sugar level. Avoid unhealthy late night snacking.
Focus on the positives. Make choices that bring you closer to your goal.

Running for St. Jude

October 21, 2019December 3, 2019UncategorizedLeave a comment

The first Saturday of December every year for the past ten years or so I have participated in the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend. The last marathon I ran was the St. Jude full marathon in 2004. It took me over 5 hours, and I haven’t run a full marathon since then. But I have completed many of the other races held that weekend. Last year my husband and I ran the half marathon, and this year we will be doing the 10K. A 10k race is 6.1 miles and is doable by almost anyone with the proper training. It sounds far if you are a beginner, but you will be surprised at how much endurance you will build up in just a few weeks. At the end of this post I have provided a training plan for ten weeks to a 10K. It is geared for beginners, so if you are more experienced you can just add a little more distance and speed work. And if you would like to find out more about St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or help me raise money for them as a St. Jude Hero click here.

This is a sponsored post, but all opinions are my own.

But before you dive into a training plan let’s talk about shoes.

One of the most important things you can do when it comes to running is to get the right shoes. I’ve seen so many people go to one of those big box stores and try to get advice from some kid who not only does not run himself but also doesn’t even know where the shoes are in the back of the store. Going to a general sporting goods store or buying shoes online will not actually save you the money you think it will. Most major brands of running shoes are price fixed, meaning they will not allow stores to sell their brands below a certain price. This is called MAP pricing (minimum advertised price). Getting the right running shoe for you is not like picking out black dress shoes. These are shoes you will be training in. They need to withstand heavy impact, keep you in proper running form, and not rub blisters or cause injury. The shock absorption on your shoe when walking is 1 ½ – 2 times your body impact force, but that doubles when running. When running it jumps to 2 ½ – 4 times your body impact. Your running shoes are sort of a big deal! My husband and I have purchased our running shoes from a local store called Breakaway for years. If you are in the Memphis area I highly recommend trusting them with your running needs. Tell them that you heard about them from Banjo and Layla. Here is why I recommend buying local: Barry Roberson, the owner, tells me that he sees his job not as selling but as matching people to the right products. He also knows running. He has been running since 1971 and selling shoes for almost as long as that. He also cares. He cares about running, and he cares about people. For the past several years he has organized a free training program for runners participating in the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend. He gets up at 3:00 A.M. every Saturday morning to set water out on the course and prepare for the early morning Saturday training runs. My husband and I have participated in these training opportunities a few times, and I can tell you from experience that he and his volunteers give just as much support and encouragement to those of us at the back of the pack as he does those in the front. Besides training, he encourages fundraising for St. Jude by providing fundraising prizes and incentives. He also donates shoes to schools in underprivileged areas in our city. In the past 5 – 6 years Breakaway runners have raised over one million dollars for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital here in Memphis!

Most large cities have a local running store. Employees at a local store care, because they know they will end up seeing you out on the trail and at races. They are runners just like you. They know how to ask the right questions and get the right shoe to keep you injury free. Barry is constantly giving free advice to runners on training and injuries. When it comes to shoes Barry says that it is important not to have unrealistic expectations. My mom tells me that when I was a little girl I said that my new shoes “make me run faster than I can.” Don’t we all wish there was such a shoe! But beware of unrealistic claims from advertisers. And be careful about thinking that some online survey will match you with the perfect shoe size and type. Barry says that Breakaway can ship shoes anywhere, but unless the person ordering has already been fitted somewhere else he needs an actual foot to make the right shoe match for a person. Breakaway also has a 30 day return policy. If the shoes don’t work out, the customer can bring in the used shoes within 30 days and make a trade. Barry says that the most expensive running shoes are not always the best ones. Usually mid-prized shoes are best. You can expect to pay around $150 – $170 for good quality running shoes. Out of curiosity I asked Barry about the barefoot running trend. He said that this trend came about from a popular book called Born to Run. In theory it makes sense, but there was no concrete and pavement back then when people first ran. And the toe shoes are no different. They were actually started as water shoes, but runners who use them have reported a high rate of stress fractures from having no shock absorption.

Running is one of the most economical and convenient forms of exercise. Running shoes and clothes are the only equipment you need, and you can run almost anywhere. Fitness Centers and gyms see the same thing all the time – especially in January. People think, “If I pay for exercise I’ll do it.” But then they quit. If people can just get over that initial discomfort of getting off the couch and get out there they will be fine. But getting a schedule and sticking to it is all it takes. Almost anyone can run. It just takes determination and patience. Many cities have running clubs and training groups for all levels. The Memphis Runner’s Track Club in our city puts on a series of races every Fall called the Road Race Series. One year my husband and I did all 10 races and were rewarded with a trophy for being “Road Warriors.” The series is made up of 2 5K’s, 2 5 milers, 2 10k’s, 2 10 milers, and 2 half marathons.Others have found running apps to be helpful. One example is Charge Running which has live, trainer led running classes. You can run with people from all over and get personal feedback from a trainer who uses the data from your phone to give you specific and personal coaching. I think this is a brilliant idea! Let me know how it goes for you if you try Charge Running. The price is very reasonable, and it works! Some of the nicest people you will ever meet are runners. And the running community is so diverse. I see all ages and body types out running. Believe it or not you do not have to be skinny and fit to run. When I did my first marathon it was when Oprah Winfrey had just completed the Chicago marathon. I told myself that if Oprah could do it I can do it. And I’ve done three!

Below is your ten weeks to a 10K Training Plan for Beginners. This schedule is only a guide. It is OK to make small changes to fit your work and family schedule. Also, the first three weeks are the same, so I have only shown 8 weeks. If you are already conditioned you could shorten it to an 8-week schedule. Some of the terms you may see in the schedule are also defined below.

Rest: On the schedule it is designated with an “R.” Rest is super important. This schedule suggests resting on Fridays before your weekend workouts and on Mondays after those workouts. You cannot train properly if your muscles are fatigued. Take rest days seriously.

Running workouts: As a beginner, don’t worry about how fast you run; just cover the distance–or approximately the distance suggested each day. Ideally, you should be able to run at a pace that allows you to carry on a conversation comfortably with any training partners. In this beginner plan you run three days of the week: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Cross-Training: On the schedule, this is identified simply as “CT.” Wednesdays and Sundays are cross-training days: swimming, cycling, walking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or other forms of aerobic training. But don’t cross-train too vigorously. Cross-training days should be easy days. You can also choose to do a very easy run on these days.

Long Runs: The longest runs are planned for Saturdays, since you probably have more time to do them on the weekends. If Saturdays don’t work for your long runs, feel free to do them on Sundays, cross-training on Saturdays. The pace should be slow. Don’t be afraid to take walking breaks. Just cover the distance.

Strength Training: Have you lifted weights before? If not, you may not want to start the same time you start a running program. Tuesdays and Thursdays are good days for strength training–after your run. Stretching also is important to keep your muscles loose. Make sure your muscles are warm before you stretch.

Walking: Walking is an excellent exercise that a lot of runners overlook in their training. In the training schedule below, walking workouts are not specified, but feel free to walk during your running workouts any time you feel tired or need a break. It is OK to walk!

NOTE: mi = mile and m = minute

Training Schedule

	M	T	W	TR	F	Sat	Sun
1	R	1.5-mile run	CT or R	1.5-mile run	R	2-mile run	25 – 30 minute run or CT
2	R	2-mile run	CT or R	2-mile run	R	2.5 mi run	25 – 30 m run or CT
3	R	2.5-mile run	CT or R	2-mile run	R	3.5-mi run	30 – 35 m run or CT
4	R	2.5-mile run	CT or R	2-mile run	R	3.5-mi run	35 min run or CT
5	R	3-mile run	CT or R	2.5-mile run	R	4-mile run	35 – 40 m run or CT
6	R	3-mile run	CT	2.5-mile run	R	4.5-mi run	35 – 40 m run or CT
7	R	3.5-mile run	CT	3-mile run	R	5-mile run	40 m run or CT
8	R	3-mile run	CT or R	2-mile run	R	R	10K Race

So get out there and buy some new running shoes and start your first steps! Let me know how you like this plan. I’d love to read your comments below.

It’s Fall Festival Time!

September 30, 2019October 18, 2019Travel & Adventure, UncategorizedLeave a comment

It’s Fall. Leaves changing, cooler weather, football, pumpkins, and lots of Fall festivals in towns all across the U.S. In The Memphis area where I live there is a festival in almost every town. I do love the Italian Festival in June, and there is always the famous Music Fest and Memphis in May. But since Fall is one of my favorite seasons I enjoy Fall festivals the best. Two of the biggest are the Cooper-Young Festival and the Germantown Festival. The Germantown Festival is one of the longest continuously run festivals in the area. My husband and I recently attended the 48th annual one this month, and I wanted to share some pictures with you.

The Germantown Festival is a free family fun weekend. with over 400 local and regional artists and craftsmen selling their unique treasures such as pottery, artwork, jewelry, metal, woodwork, hand-stitched clothing, paintings, and photography.

There is lots of food – everything from fair food like corn dogs, cotton candy, and funnel cakes to brats, barbecue, and even lobster. There is a Kids Zone with rides and activities for children, an auto show with new and classic cars, and live musical entertainment on a stage.

But being the dog lover that I am my favorite part is the Weenie Dog Race called “The Running of the Weenies.”

It is the cutest thing. There are lots of people with weenie dogs everywhere, and they have a Best Dressed Contest before the race when people embarrass their dogs by dressing them in creative costumes then parading them before the judges. And then the race. Owners line up holding their wiggly pups, while another person the dog loves is at the finish line cheering them on and encouraging them to run to them. It is hilarious. Half the dogs get sidetracked, and some even turn around and run back to the start! So cute.

So I want to hear from you. Comment below and tell me about your favorite festival where you live.

Banjo and Layla Nominated for the Sunshine Blogger Award!

August 25, 2019September 22, 2019Uncategorized6 Comments

I am excited to announce that I have been nominated by Cindy at Trip to Tale Travels for the Sunshine Blogger Award. Thank you so much Cindy! (You have a great name, by the way.) The Sunshine Blogger Award is for new bloggers who people find interesting, creative, and inspiring. It recognizes bloggers who bring positivity and creative content to the community of blogging. Those nominated are to answer 11 questions and then nominate 11 other bloggers. I am so grateful to be included in this honor.

This blog is a new adventure for me and something I have wanted to do for a long time. I’m a teacher, and I love to write and tell stories. I have also always loved taking pictures and creating beauty with art. My hope is that my blog will inspire others to find the beauty and joy in the things they love too. No matter what are circumstances are, there is always something we can be grateful for.

Again, a huge thank you to Cindy at Trip to Travels for reading my blog and thinking of Banjo and Layla when making your nominations. Here are my answers to the 11 questions that Cindy at Trip to Travels has asked me:

Why did you start your blog?

I have always wanted to start an online business to supplement my teaching income, but I never really knew what to do. I stumbled upon an awesome online course on how to start a blog and the rest is history. I love to write and tell stories, and I love taking pictures – especially when traveling. I want to work from home one day, so this was a great fit for me. I am excited to share some of the joys I find in life with others and maybe help someone along the way. There is so much negative on the internet. I think it is important to share the little things that make me happy – things like singing, travel, family, my dogs, and great food!

What is one thing your readers should know about you?

I am a full-time middle school teacher and am doing the best I can to try to juggle both teaching with excellence and overcome the learning curve of starting a new blog. Please stick with me, and I promise you will see more and better content and more of a social media presence once the beginning of the school year busyness calms down a little. Also, you can rest assured that I always aim to blog with integrity and respect for my readers.

What is your favorite “hometown” dish to eat?

Other than home cooking, Memphis is known for barbecue. They even have a World Famous Barbecue Contest at the Memphis in May Festival every year. My favorite barbecue restaurants are The Rendezvous and The Commissary. But I love all things Italian. There are several authentic Italian restaurants in town. My favorite pizza place is a tiny spot in Collierville, TN called “Ciao Baby.”

What has been your favorite travel adventure?

This is a tough one. When I was single I lived in Germany for four years, so I got to travel all over Europe. I loved living in Germany, and when visitors would come I loved taking them to the traditional walled city of Rothenburg. One of my favorite countries is Italy. I could just eat and drink my way through the entire country (see my favorite food above). I worked with a youth organization in Germany, and one of the coolest places we took kids in the summer was a series of five scenic villages in Italy called Cinque Terre. I love animals, so I also loved the African safari I went on at the tale end of a mission trip. With my husband I think our favorite vacation so far has been Yellowstone. You can check out my six day trip report with pictures and video here.

What are your 5 must see or do items for your hometown or surrounding area?

(1) Shelby Farms Park in Memphis (Cordova), TN – One of the largest urban parks in the United States. Beautiful running, walking, and biking trails, paddle boats, kayaks, horses, disc golf course, zip line, ampitheater, dog park. It is awesome!

(2) The Memphis Zoo – One of the best zoos in the country, hands down.

(3) There is lots to do downtown by the Mississippi River – Rock and Soul Museum, Beale Street, the ducks at the Peabody Hotel.

(4) Anything music – Elvis Presley‘s Home, Live music at Lafayette Music Room or B.B. King’s, free summer concerts at the Levitt Shell, outdoor concerts at Live at the Garden; if you like gospel check out my church Hope Church Memphis – Grammy award winners on the music team. There is always music somewhere in Memphis every weekend – rock, soul, jazz, country, you name it.

(5) I love the Collierville Historic Town Square in my town, a suburb of Memphis called Collierville. It has been listed on several “Best Town Squares in the U.S.” list and is a true hidden gem.

What is the craziest thing you have ever done?

I think that teaching middle schoolers all day is pretty crazy – I’m just sayin! I was pretty crazy in my 30’s. I was in a water ski club in South Carolina, and we put on water ski shows for fun. I have always been athletic, although you might not be able to tell by looking at me now. The opening act was a barefoot line, and I was the only girl in the barefoot line. The boat had to travel very fast to hold up the big heavy guys, so I was flying! And with no skis! I was also in the ballet line, did tricks in a doubles act, and was in the middle row on a three high pyramid on the water. But later in my 30’s I moved to Germany without having ever been to Europe before and not knowing the language. That was pretty crazy.

What is your life motto and how has it served you?

One is “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” This is a quote from the late missionary Jim Elliot. I try to invest my time, money, and life into making a difference that will last. Decisions that I make are filtered through this value.

What is the one practical piece of advice you would have for other bloggers?

Be yourself. I will be honest, I have been discouraged many times as I have tried to overcome the technology learning curve. Everything is so new to me, and I would compare myself to others with more social media followers or more traffic to their blogs and lose confidence. I have also gained weight in my 50’s and was embarrassed to be on video, but my husband reminded me that I just need to be me – that others will relate to me being real and authentic. So I am trying to do that – to just be me and accept that it is what it is. Be you. Set small goals and stay motivated, even when things don’t move as quickly as you want.

Who is your idol in your blogging niche and why?

I am really too new to the blogging world to have a particular idol yet, but I owe my new blog to Pete and Heather Reese whose 5 Day Start a Money Making Blog Crash Course got me started. I eventually signed up for more extensive training from them after this initial 5 day course, and I learned so much. The great thing about their courses is that you have access to the material for two years and also have access to the VIP Facebook Group where class members can ask questions and get advice.

What is the one thing about blogging, that you have learned so far, that has helped you the most?

I have learned that it is worth it to take the time to watch tutorials or research how to do something if you are not sure. Sometimes trying to figure something out on your own takes longer and can be extremely frustrating. Also, it is OK to ask for help. I have gotten a lot of help from Pete and Heather Reese‘s VIP Facebook page for those who have taken their courses. I also frequently ask people I know locally who have web design expertise questions when I run into a problem.

Hands down….what is your favorite food and where do you go to get it?

I know this is not very sophisticated, but I love a really good pizza – I mean the brick oven kind with authentic crust and not greasy. The place in my town I mentioned earlier, Ciao Baby, imports their tomatoes from Italy, makes their own cheese, and has all fresh ingredients. There are probably other places like that around, but I think pizza is usually better at small family owned places rather than chain restaurants.

I had fun answering these questions, and I hope you enjoyed reading a little bit about me. I am so grateful to be nominated for this award!

This post may contain affiliate links, and I may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.

The Rules

Thank the blogger who nominated you and link to their blog.
Answer the 11 questions the blogger asked you.
Nominate 11 new bloggers to receive the award and ask them 11 questions.
List these rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post and on your blog.

My nominees:

Josh at Us Living Life

Lexi at The One Lex Traveled

Rebecca at Rebecca Talley

Nikki at She Saves She Travels

Jessie at The Rambling Raccoon

Erika at Simply Low Cal

Tara at Life’s A Hike

Rachel at Capturing Your Confidence

Meghan at Full House Frenzy

Cathy at Make Magic and Memories

Denise at The Versatile Scribe

Why did you start your blog?
What is one thing your readers would be surprised to know about you?
What is your favorite restaurant in your hometown?
What has been your favorite travel adventure?
What are your top five things visitors to your hometown or surrounding area should see or experience?
What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
What is your life motto and how has it served you?
What is the 1 practical piece of advice you would have for other bloggers?
What is on your travel bucket list?
What is your most embarrassing moment? Nah, just kidding. 🙂 What do you know now, that you wish you knew when you first started your blog?
What new things can we expect from your blog in the future?

Day 2 of Our Wild West Adventure (Part 2 of a 6 Part Series)

July 20, 2019September 9, 2019Travel & Adventure, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Cindy Baker

On Day 2 we drove from Billings to Red Lodge to Cook City then into Yellowstone National Park via the Northeast entrance. Yellowstone park is huge! It covers three states (Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho) and has five entrances.

Insider Tip: We had to pay a $35 fee to enter the park, but it was good for 7 days. You just have to show your receipt and driver’s license at the gate each time to enter the park through any entrance.

As a teacher, I thought this display was so interesting.

We traveled from the Northeast Entrance to Tower-Roosevelt to Mammoth Hot Springs, both of which are in Wyoming. Hotels and campgrounds fill up quickly, so make sure you have secured lodging in or near the park before planning your trip. Also, we learned that we could not get anywhere quickly in the park. Plan a minimum of 40 minutes travel time between junctions or visitor service areas on the Grand Loop Road.

The speed limit in Yellowstone is 45 mph except where posted slower, but it was crowded when we were there (July 4 holiday week) and people frequently pull over to the side of the road or slow down to view or photograph wildlife. One of my biggest regrets is not having a good camera with a zoom lens. All of the shots in this blog post were taken with my i-phone, and so many times the animals were just too far away for me to really get a good photo with my phone. From all of the research and ratings I have read this is the sort of camera I would get:

On this trip my husband actually did all of the driving, and I would look for animals and have him stop or pull over frequently so I could take a picture, but he said he didn’t mind. The views were so spectacular that driving was actually pleasant. Be prepared for a lot of driving in order to see the park. Even though we were just there a week, we still felt like we got to see what we wanted to see in that amount of time. The best thing to do is to visit early in the day to avoid crowds. Park entrance gates are open 24-hours. Wildlife are most active at sunrise and sunset, so arriving early gives you the best chance to observe animals.

Another thing we learned is that cell phone service is very limited (almost none) in the park and surrounding areas. During peak hours the cellular network is very slow and your provider may not roam on networks in Yellowstone. Wi-Fi is available at the Mammoth Hotel, the Old Faithful Snow lodge, Lake Lodge cafeteria, and the Canyon and Grant Lodges for a fee. The Visitor Center in Mammoth Hot Springs has free Wi-Fi. Data speeds are very limited outside of that area through. Very frustrating if you are a blogger!

Elk were everywhere around the Mammoth Hot Springs Visitor Center.

Our first tourist stop in the park was Mammoth Hot Springs, which is made up of all of these rock terraces shaped by water over time. The water concentration and vents change quickly and constantly. Water follows the path of least resistance, whether it is above or under the ground, so it is almost like rocks are forming before your eyes. There are wooden boardwalks that we walked on throughout the rock and water features, making it easy to see everything without having to walk in the mud or hot earth.

This waterfall is near Mammoth Hot Springs.

From there we went back out of the park through the West Entrance to West Yellowstone, MT. We stayed about 5 minutes from the west entrance at West Yellowstone Bed and Breakfast (https://www.westyellowstonebandb.com), where Deborah was a wonderful hostess.

West Yellowstone, Montana is a cool little town. West Yellowstone was incorporated in 1966 but has existed as a gateway community to Yellowstone National Park since the early 1900s. Although it is a small community with a population of approximately 1300 people, visitation to West Yellowstone tops 4 million people per year. The winters can be extreme, so there are fewer visitors in the colder months. When we were there in July the weather was perfect! Low humidity, mid 70’s in temperature, clean air. Having had allergies all my life and especially during pollen season in Memphis, I was so excited to be able to breathe through both sides of my nose for once! There are several restaurants, gift shops, and ice cream or taco trucks.

The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center http://www.grizzlydiscoveryctr.org is pretty cool to walk through. There is sort of a mini zoo at the end with real wolves and bears. There is also the Yellowstone Historic Center in an old train depot with some history exhibits if that’s your thing. See my Day 5 report for some pics and video of an awesome Fourth of July parade right down the center of town. Tomorrow we will go see Old Faithful! Stay tuned for my Day 3 post.

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Watch here for a short video of Day 2 here:

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