Yellowstone 2015 and Boyfriend Turns 30

In 8th grade science we watched a documentary about Yellowstone's supervolcano. Because I am me, I spent the next few months not sleeping and fretting about the safety of my loved ones. If the Yellowstone supervolcano erupted we were all going to die! We needed exit strategies, communication plans, safe-zones! Unfortunately, no one else seemed to care and it is very hard to create a Save the World manual (I will create a manual for anything) without at least a little bit of cooperation.

Luckily, I grew out of this phase. Not the worrying phase, just the worrying about supervolcanoworlddestruction phase. I still try to solve non-existent problems years in advance.

As I have stopped worrying about Yellowstone destroying me, after all there really is nothing I could do (trust me, I have run through all the scenarios) I have come to realize that it is one of the greatest places on Earth, if not the absolute greatest. It stands out for its geothermic activity, but that isn't even the best part. The wildlife experiences and the sheer beauty of the landscape make it a worthwhile venture, not to mention it is just a four hour drive from us.

Boyfriend and I did not die from the cold or extreme geothermic activity this weekend. We camped in a different location than last time and got to experience a whole new part of the park.

We got there late Friday night. The reports said to expect inclement weather (see previous whining), but we had no issues. Apparently, that wasn't the case for everyone. Boyfriend's sister was on her way over from Colorado and ended up having to camp out on the side of the road for the night so she wouldn't hydroplane and die.

By Saturday we had all arrived at Bridge Bay safely and were ready to see the park. We saw a lot of wildlife and the dark, ominous skies made for some gorgeous photos. It was so relaxing. I'm planning on relocating next summer so I can live in Yellowstone. Even if I have to hide out in the park and join a wolf pack.

It was a wonderful weekend and a great way (I'm speaking for him) to celebrate Boyfriend entering a new decade with the big 3-0.

Coyote

Bison

Orange Tent: Boyfriend's birthday present from me.
Given for selfish reasons, now we can go on LOTS OF CAMPING TRIPS!

Boyfriend making breakfast

Bison fording the river

Baby pronghorn, cutest ever

Baby bear ... cutest ever ...

Moose! One was male with tiny antlers

Bia and deer

Me!

Memorial Day Repeat

May is almost over! Things are good! I hate my diet on the days I stick to it, but I rarely stick to it so it isn't that bad! I have made improvements though. I don't have two dinners every night anymore and I haven't had wine for almost three weeks. I think that no matter what happens we can call this month a win. Or a loss. Depending on how you look at it ... because I really miss second dinner. And wine.

Anyway, Boyfriend and I are hoping to end this month with a bang. We have a trip planned for this weekend and are thinking about going SKYDIVING on Tuesday, if the weather permits it. For our trip...we are going to Yellowstone. Because Boyfriend is illogical and psychotic.

Last year, for Memorial Day weekend, we took a wonderful trip to Yellowstone National Park. It was my first time ever to Yellowstone, I had wanted to go for ages but never made it. It turned out to be one of the best trips I have ever had. Definitely, top five. We saw at least six bears, a baby moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, all of the wildlife on our lists with the exception of wolves and river otters.

Thrilled and overexcited, we decided we could go to Yellowstone EVERY Memorial Day FOREVER! Turns out, Yellowstone is a fickle friend. It is raining like crazy up there this year. I was more than ready to throw in the towel and head down south to Arches, we'd still be going to a national park and it would be warm. I could lay out in the hammock and read a book.

Unfortunately, Boyfriend is not ready to throw in the towel. He is still insisting that we go to Yellowstone for our vacation. Despite my most heartfelt whining, we are begrudgingly preparing for our Yellowstone trip. Where we will freeze, and die. I don't understand it. He is normally very mellow and easy-going, but he is digging his heels so that we can CAMP IN THE RAIN because, he "was just really looking forward to it."

But, I love him so we are going.

Even though it will be freezing, I'm looking forward to the break. We haven't had a vacation since his cousin's wedding in Pittsburgh last December. And, I feel like we are always going non-stop. Yes, we live together now and technically spend every night together, but a lot of our time is taken up with homework and half of the evenings I go to school straight from work. It will be good to unwind, even if we are stuck in the car and buried under blankets.

May Day! May Day!

Happy May, friends!

I can't believe we are almost half-way through this month. It has been flying by. School started up again, I really don't feel like I even got a break. My professor sent out three reading assignments and an essay for us to do before the first day of class. I complained, A LOT. I went to class yesterday expecting to hate it, like I hate most things. BUT! I love it. Mostly ... I love my professor. Sorry, Boyfriend.

Another big development this month has been our decision to go on a diet. Big commitment, right? We are going to Virginia Beach the first week of June and I "want to look nice." I was expecting to hate it, and I do! I have stopped having second dinner (my favorite kind of dinner) and stopped having wine every night.

I can't wait for this trip to be over. As soon as we get back I'm going to the Pie and ordering an ENTIRE PIZZA. 

We did make banana bread, because we buy bananas but never eat them, but we were devouring the whole loaf so Boyfriend took it to my mom and dad. Which, was nice since they wanted to try it  buuuut WTF.

Here is the recipe we used, we doubled it. We had A LOT of bananas going bad :/

RIP Banana Bread