Memory: Visiting Grandma and Grandpa Stones in Yellowstone

My Grandma and Grandpa Stones had such exciting lives because they got to live and work in Yellowstone National Park. Every summer we would drive up to Montana to visit them at their fabulous time share in the park. I remember feeling so fancy and rich at the idea of staying in a cabin in the forest; it felt like a fairy tale. It was thrilling staying at this time share because it felt like a hotel and  I had never stayed at a hotel; the excitement overwhelmed me. 

At night we would climb onto the roof to look at the stars. Dad would point down to the nature below us and tell us stories. Stories about the tortoise and the hare racing around the lake below us. He pointed out where the hare would stop to take a nap allowing the tortoise to catch up.  He pointed out where the hare stopped to steal vegetables again allowing the tortoise to pass him. The intensity and anxiety increased as he pointed out the finish line and I could see the ribbon crossing that line waiting to be broken by the victor.  I could imagine the forest animals cheering on the racers and apprehensively waiting to see the winner. I was sitting high in the sky, on a roof, watching these scenes play out before my eyes and could barely breath due to the anticipation and excitement. I will not tell you the ending of the story although I will say that the animals cheered, I screeched with glee and the night felt happy and complete. 

During the day we would tour the park visiting Old Faithful, geysers and colorful holes full of poison and lava. We would go to the visitor center and see Grandma and Grandpa working.  They would take us outside and show us the waterfalls, telling us stories and facts and solidifying in my mind that they were, in fact, some of the smartest coolest people I knew.  

One of our favorite parts of the park were the animals. Although we came almost yearly the thrill of seeing these the exotic animals outside of a zoo was too much. One time in particular I will never forget. We were driving down a main road when we approached a herd of buffalo on the shoulder. Wanting to watch them closely we all huddled in the back window and watched as we passed the herd. Then, to our excitement and horror, a huge buffalo started running behind the car. It was chasing us. It was going to hit us and rip the van apart with its horns. We screeched, we screamed, we watched with open eyes of terror as this wild beast grew closer."Drive faster Dad!" Just as we started seeing our lives fly before our eyes the buffalo stopped, he grew smaller as we continued down the road. We all exhaled in a giddy relief, telling our parents in loud and booming decimals of the story which they had also just experienced. 

 I will always remember the wonderful memories of Yellowstone National Park  and the glee of seeing my grandparents and I will never forget the evil buffalo who chased our car. I will never regain the years that fear and terror took of my life that day.  Although this terrifying experience scarred me for life, I have and I will continue to go to Yellowstone National Park. If not for the buffalo's for the memories!