It's Almost Over!

My intership is coming to a close. It's definitely bittersweet. On the one hand, I'm doing what I love and hopefully will do for a job (with much better pay of course.) On the other, I'm ready to get back home and see Mal and all my loved ones and do other fun things.

My last week in the backcountry was used to finish up the projects that I have started, with the final being putting the roof on the other cabin. I'm glad I was able to complete all my projects bc its better to say what I accomplished not just what I did. On my final day in the BC we got out the kayaks and just relaxed and played around, practice wet-exits (what to do if you kayak flips and how to get back in).

Since my return from the BC I have been working a lot around the station. I've also been trying to get all my things together and clean up. I have a few checkout procedures to go through as well. I was able to meet with the head-bossman and go over my resume and he gave me some good insights. They have express that they would like for me to work here and that has been encouraging. I guess today was my last full day on the job bc tom. I'm skippin out early to pick up Bill at the airport.

This has definitely been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I have been able to experience and see so many things in such a short period of time. And I was able to confirm that this is for sure the best career path for me.

I appreciate all the support from yall and all the encouraging comments along the way. The only thing that could have made this experience better was if I had more friends and family here to share it with.

I am blessed to have been able to serve with this internship, and I'm blessed to have so many loved ones to return home to.

This was a great adventure.....and it sure did end with a SPLASH!!!!!

Love Yall!

Last Work Period

I have officially started the last work period of my internship (booooo!) Yesterday I worked around the station doing odd jobs, and today I did a ride-a-long with a LE Ranger. It was cool, we pulled some people over and had an elk jam. I tried to ask question and learn as much as possible, it was good experience. Tomorrow I head into the backcountry for the last time (tears falling). I am trying to finish up the projects that I have started. I will be working straight through until my last day of Sept. 7th. Bill is gonna come out here and ride back with me which will be nice. I have already packed up some of my things at the trailer and I have scheduled a time to meet with the boss to help develop a good NPS resume. I will try to call or post something if I happen to come out of the BC early. I miss yall and I will be home soon!

BYE!

Pics of the Bros

I took a ton of pics over our trip together but I think the western theme is my fav. It was taken on the first night we were all together, and it was Josh's idea and we all supported it.

After Josh and I picked up Jake, we headed to Jackson where we took the western pic and then we went to one of the better rest. in town and had some elk and bison. It was real good. We then drove back to the trailer and tried to rest up for the next day of campin in the backcountry. We got up and I fixed a hearty breakfast of french toast so that the boys would be ready for the hike in. On the 8 mile hike into the cabin we ran into a family of grouse that Josh and Jake got a kick out of. I think they also enjoyed seeing there first thermal springs too. We had some great views of the mts. and the lake on our way down. Once we arrived at the cabin we had lunch and chilled out on the porch. After lunch we headed over to the rustic geyser to watch it erupt, which we did three times. After that we took a dip in the lake, which I believe was a few degrees colder than I remember due to the snow last week. We swam anyway, but it was shorter than anticipated. During the evening we relaxed on the porch and I stomped Lloyd in a game of Rummy, although I guess I shouldnt brag too much bc it was his first time playin. I cooked them a good backcountry meal and we rested up for our BIG hike out the next day.

The hike out was awesome. It was my favorite hike of the summer so far. We started early with the hope of catching a glimpse of some wildlife, and it payed off. We saw two nice moose about 20min in, then we saw some deer and a lot of marmots. We also found several nice elk antlers and skulls. The hike was extremely long, over 17 miles, but I'm proud to say that everyone made it without any major issue. The major issues didnt come until the next morning when we tried to get out of bed and realized neither our legs or backs wanted to cooperate. After our hike I thought that we could use a good soak, so I toke them to the Huckleberry Hot Springs to try and relax. That plan backfired a little when the hot water burned their blisters and made them worse....oops! We soaked anyway and then got in the river. It was a nice way to end the day. I cooked them some Wade's food back at the trailer and we hit the sack in prep for our early morning.

THe next morning, after another hearty breakfast, we headed out for MT and our rafting trip. We saw tons of wildlife on the way north, including hundreds of buffalo, some of which were extremely close. I think they got a big kick out of seeing all of the buffalo. When we got to MT it was hot and sunny, perfect for rafting. The river felt awesome and it was rockin and rollin pretty well. We all took a swim in a calm spot, although I had to give Josh a little "encouragement" if you know what i mean. It was a blast and the views were great. After our vigorous rafting, we needed refueling, which we did at a local dive named Helen's Corral, home of the 1/2 lb buffalo burger, which we followed with ice cream. We then started the long drive back home to the trailer. I stopped at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone just so they could see it, and I think they appreciated the view but not all the people.

We capped the vacation with a swim underneath Moose Falls, which was a blast. It was so much fun that I went back to tonight. Turn up the volume because I have a message for everyone in the video.

Thanks Josh and Jake for the great vacation, I hope you guys had as much fun as I did.

Everyone: I miss you all and I will be home to see yall real soon, just 2 more weeks of work and I'm finished.....can you believe its almost over already? Its ok, cause I'm startin to miss everyone....especially my woman!

Love yall and talk to yall soon!

BYE

Costner Brothers Yellowstone Trip

The Costner brothers Yellowstone trip was a huge success. We had a blast (I'm assuming that I speak for everyone). We had some great meals together to catch up with one another, and we also had some fun adventures. We went to the backcountry and camped in a ranger cabin and watched geysers erupt. We hiked over 26 miles in a two day period (might not have been their favorite at the time) and we went swimming in all kinds of water (freezing cold, boiling hot, and just right!) We topped it off with a trip to MT to tame the might rapids of the Yellowstone River. It was a blast. It wasnt a relaxing vacation, but those are dull, we wanted excitement! We were all dragging this morning due to lack of sleep and overexertion, but that is the way I like to spend my time off. I will post pics as soon as possible, I got some good ones.

I want to thank my brothers for all that they did and for treating me so well, it was the trip of a lifetime and I hope it was the first of many more trips together. I hope you guys had as much fun as I did.

BYE

Out of BC for the Night

Hey Everyone!

I just got out of the BC for the night, have to get one more load of material and head back in the morning. They actually asked me to come out to serve as head of security for Obama on his visit tomorrow. Just kidding, I am actually glad that I will be in the woods because I think it is gonna be crazy here with the Pres. and the free weekend too. Anyway, today and yesterday were very tough. I had to carry two loads of material, each weighing around 800lbs, up the channel. Then we had to paddle them all the way across the lake and unload them at the other cabin. Writing it down it doesnt sound that bad, but trust me, it was. But I'm still having a blast and I'm ready for my bros to get here. When I come out L-train will already be here, then we go pick up Jake the next day. I dont want to give all the plans away, but their trip will involve some good hiking, camping a a beautiful BC cabin, and a wet and wild adventure in MT. I also have a few more tricks in mind. Well, its time for dinner. I have to sleep fast so I can get up and head out in the morning. Hope all is well with everyone and I'll talk to yall soon.

BYE

Headed to the Backcountry

Hey everyone. I know that I have been doing a poor job at updating everyone. I am in the final month of my internship and I am going strong. I have been in the backcountry a lot, and Mal came to visit, and now I am headed back in. When I arrive back from the BC my brothers will be here. I have a very busy schedule, just like I like it...unfortunately my blogging is taking a hit. I assure you that I have hundreds of unseen pics, and stories, that yall will get to see and hear but it may be a while. I am headed into the backcountry from Aug. 12th thru Aug. 17th. If I come out early I will try to post something.

Love yall and miss yall.

BYE

Greetings!

Sorry for the lack of postings. For those of you who did not know, after my week in the Backcountry, Mallorie came to visit for a week. We had soooo much fun and did/saw so many cool things. We saw all the sights of Yellowstone including; bears (4), buffalo by the hundreds, countless elk, pronghorn, deer, eagles as well as Old Faithful, Grand Canyon, Mammoth, Roosevelt, Tower, the Hayden Valley, and also parts of the Absaroka mountian range in MT. It was awesome. We also did a lot of hiking, camped in a backcountry cabin, climbed the tallest peak in the south district, saw numerous geysers errupt, went swimming in a cold mountain lake, went swimming in a hot thermal pool, and then went swimming in a cold mountain stream. We went whitewater rafting, horseback riding, watched a gunfight reinactment in Jackson, and went to our first rodeo. I have pictures of everything and I will try to post them tom. I was originally scheduled to head to the BC tom, but that got moved to Weds, so I will try to post again tom.

I hope everyone is doing well and I will talk to yall soon.

Bye!