Fostering a new renaissance through creativity, authenticity, spirituality, and art
Polly Castor 
Bison are everywhere in Yellowstone. A herd of millions, now down to a few thousand, they are taking over this landscape with a right of way, walking in the roads, hanging out in the campsites, lumbering and chomping, taking their time…
We have some awesome friends. One of them is Ranger Katy. My youngest daughter and I got to know her seven years ago, when we were dropped off to camp for three weeks on a remote island in Lake Superior (which incidentally had the largest black bear population in the lower 48 states.) Katy … Read more
We woke up in our tent to snow in August. The temperature was in the 20’s. Where were the 106 degree temperatures of only a few days ago? While cold, it was still beautiful. We drove to the Old Faithful Inn for their delicious hot breakfast buffet, and then luxuriated in their 7 story, authentic … Read more
We did all the little hikes at the Canyon of the Yellowstone, including the 656 slippery steps to the base of the falls and back. (My daughter loved that; she scampered it 4.5 times = 3052 steps! See two photos of the steps below, one close up and the other from across the canyon.) The … Read more
We woke up in the Mammoth Hot Springs Campground and went to the National Park Lodge for an affordable hot breakfast; I had trout Benedict and my daughter had chocolate chip pancakes. We then visited the travertine terraces, which were built up over several thousand years of 170 degree flowing solution carrying two tons of … Read more
We came into Yellowstone through the Beartooth Pass from the north into the northeast entrance to the park. The Beartooth Pass has nine scenic switchbacks which quickly gain in elevation. At an overlook, chipmunks begged peanuts and we saw storm clouds gathering at the top of the pass. Once we got up there, we had … Read more
We continue driving west to Yellowstone, taking a scenic detour through western Wyoming over the Lovell Pass… We romped on a meadow at an overlook (can you find my daughter in the two photos under the dandelion?) and enjoyed a rainbow while picnicking under a roofed table in the rain at a rest area…
Wall Drug is what my extended family would call a “TT,” short for “tourist trap.” But Wall Drug isn’t just any TT, it’s a superlative example of one. Their advertisements span hundreds of miles in advance of arrival; we counted 81 different signs. They offer free ice water (not for nothing in 106 degree temperatures), … Read more
We had a lovely time at Badlands National Park, viewing it at sunset and sunrise on the edges of clear 106 degree days. We were also treated to a magnificent full moonrise, along with coy rabbits and interesting insects. Our first night in the tent was balmy and delightful. The evening and morning glow on … Read more
This page represents August 15, 2010 to August 25, 2010. See close-ups of recent entries below. Enjoy!
We are finally off on our westward adventure. As a kid, when we drove out west on similar trips, my dad would vehemently declare “Westward Ho!,” affectionately slapping my mother’s thigh for emphasis. So I duplicated that tradition for my daughter who was delighted to anticipate me, jumping out of the way so that I … Read more
I’m going on vacation, camping in Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons National Park, with my thirteen year old daughter. My husband and sixteen year old son are staying home, and the latter will start his homeschooling online classes without me. My daughter and I are taking three weeks to drive out west to … Read more
This is a wonderful book of how to make delicious food to dehydrate in your drier to be reconstituted and reheated for camping. This approach will not only be less expensive for our (fast approaching) camping trip out west, but quicker and easier while there, while definitely more delicious than store bought options. Many of … Read more
I’ve been moving my oldest back to college into her new off-campus housing. Below you can see her leaving our house in the van, being greeted by her sweet landlord who she knows from church, her finished room along with some of her books, as well as the hall downstairs and some of her friends. … Read more
August 27 is the right day but only 2/5 of us will be around then so we celebrated early. As usual, we made cookies instead of cake, an extra large one frosted by the honoree. My son’s approach to this task is applying as much frosting as he can, as you can see below. We … Read more
The tomatoes are coming in fast. They are so lovely and delicious. Here see them on the vine, picked in piles, in a salad with bermuda onion, cucumber and pesto, and being dried in the drier. Tomorrow we’ll try making “tomato leathers” (like fruit roll-ups) and will again make yummy roasted tomatoes (see here). What … Read more
