W. Yellowstone

West Yellowstone

State: Montana
County: Gallatin
Population: 1200
Elevation: 6,663 feet
Time Zone: Mountain (MST)
Zip/Area code: 59758/408
Summer high/low: 78°F/41°F
Winter high/low: 24°F/1°F

Fun facts we've discovered so far:

Can snow at any moment, any time (including middle of summer).
Largest gateway to the park, catering to thousands upon thousands of visitors during the high season summer months every year.
There's 2 averagely small grocery stores as compared to 7 fly shops.
Because of the limited (but sufficient) selection of food items, all locals make lists for their big trip into the city of Bozeman (where gas is $0.30 cheaper per gallon) about once or twice a month.
The McDonald's here (one of 5 chains: Dairy Queen, KFC, Arbys, and Subway), is the nation's most expensive, serving value meals that are $2-$3 more expensive than most others. And also, we are told it's the highest paying service job at $12.50/hour... A wage that would fair very well out here! ALSO we discovered their free wifi that works perfectly from the truck in the parking lot... Thank you Mr. McDonald!
Everyone in town limits has a post office box – no mailboxes.
Most restaurants/shops close during the winter months.
Kevin and I are the youngest people working at Bud Lily's.
Bud Lily's is a legendary shop among fly fishermen, whose namesake was one of the forefathers of the sport. We already have seen tourists taking pictures of our sign, and buying the namesake t-shirts.
The water coming from our kitchen faucet is the cleanest, freshest tasting water I have ever had the pleasure of drinking.
Buffalo are more abundant than any other animal out here, and there are HOT PINK road signs to warn drivers.
There is a world class/world-renowned cross-country ski trail system in walking distance from downtown (olympic athletes train here).
Loads of famous people come through here on their way to camping, fishing, or any other outdoor activity. , the Tennessee Titans coach and family, Yvonne Choinard (spelling? The founder of Patagonia),
The Dairy Queen, which opened 2 days ago and is located right across the street from our store, apparently has the best business in town! Already we've seen crowds of people that have virtually come from nowhere lining the block to get their dipped cones.
More people (read: tourists) die from buffalo-related accidents than bear attacks every year.
A couple years ago, a tourist dad put his small boy on top of a buffalo in order to get a 'kodak' moment... The bull took off with the kid toppling over the backside, hitting the pavement, but fortunately surviving: these are the stories the locals get amused over!
The trash cans that are on every block are animal proof: which means their tourist proof as well, since they have a hard time determining how to open them. Before the town decided to put TRASH on the outside of the green metal structures, people thought they were mailboxes, and unknowingly trashed their souvenir postcards and letters.
The state of Montana does not have a sales tax (woo hoo!), but the town of West Yellowstone does, labeled a 'Resort Tax.' Even still, it's only 3% and we can get the local discount that pretty much covers it.


I'm sure there'll be many more fun facts to come. The town may be small, but there's lot's to learn of this little place – its history, importance, local businesses, and local legends.

We're both acclimating well, having settled into a work routine and having set up our cute little cabin. Since the season hasn't officially started (Memorial Day weekend being the beginning), we're still getting to enjoy the town without the hassle of (too many) visitors. As the weather improves (the past few days having been GLORIOUS), more of the towns people are out and about walking the sidewalks and enjoying the cool mountain air and crisp sunshine. But we're looking forward to seeing the town bustling with more people.

Kevin bought his Montana fishing license the other day for the season and since, he's been out every day on the waters. It's quite adorable really. Having an extra set of everything fly fishing (including waders, boots, rods, fleece pants, etc), I've been following along and learning. The first time I got in the freezing waters of the Madison, wading around and NOT getting wet, I was quite exhilarated and excited about the prospect of what we'll be doing this summer. Set against an absolutely breath-taking background, I look forward to relaxing, drinking a beer, and being in the river. I can say, I never thought I'd be in this lifestyle, but you never know how much you might enjoy something until you try! Kevin is an excellent and patient teacher, whom I'm pretty sure secretly relishes in the fact that he gets to school me on all things fish: oh Obi wan!

We also made a trip into Yellowstone last week, visiting Old Faithful and the Canyon. I was in awe of the landscape my own country has to offer, and thankful that I get to explore more of the area over the next few months! I'm an avid picture taker, even capturing a charging buffalo. He was going after a lady that was literally 3 feet away from him, out of her car, taking pictures herself (we were in the car, driving past). Luckily for the lady the bull relinquished, but succeeded in scaring not only her, but both of us as well! It's sad and stupid how some people can't wrap their brains around the wildness and danger of roaming (very large) animals. Our day trip was excellent though, and a great precursor to more adventures to come in the park!

That's life so far! More to come of our adventures, tourist watching, work stories, and else, etc, etc, etc...