Yellowstone National Park

This past weekend Nat and I attended the Convent General KYCH national meeting in Jackson Hole, WY. I have never attended this meeting, though I am a Past Prior and have a vote, but we thought it would make a wonderful trip. And it was a most memorable trip. We flew out Thursday afternoon and after a layover in Denver arrived in Jackson about 9 PM. The Snow King Resort is where we stayed. We had a lovely condo overlooking snow king mountain. We had some dinner at the hotel and saw some people from around the country that we had meet before.

The next morning was beautiful. The weather was perfect for our entire stay. Our tour of Yellowstone National Park the the Grand Tetons left the resort a little after 7 AM. We had a box breakfast to eat on our journey. As we left Jackson you could see how large the mountains were. An awesome site. Our tour guide/bus driver was really interesting. He enjoyed his job and sharing the history and stories of the area. As we entered the park we saw a moose grazing under the snow capped Tetons. As we entered Yellowstone our guide told us about the fires in Yellowstone and how they are important to the natural cycle. We would latter learn the real power of fire. The bus would stop every so often so we could see the main attractions. We saw "old faithful" and many other geysers. There was hot boiling mud and the smell of sulphur rising form deep beneath the earth. Below is picture of a rainbow at the bottom of one of the two waterfalls we saw.

It is impossible to put in words the majestic and magnificent sights of nature we saw. The pictures below are of me and Nat in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, with the waterfall in the back.

Our box lunches were on the bus and around 1 PM we were dropped of at "old faithful inn" to eat our prepared lunches and see the geyser erupt. After that it was back on the bus and on the curvy hilly narrow roads. Our last "official" site seeing stop was the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. WOW! How truly amazing. The colors, the waterfall, all God's handywork. Our tour was coming to an end, or so we thought. We stopped to see some grazing buffalo, I was amazed at how many people had never seen a buffalo. What happened next may go down in the history of bus tours. Since after leaving the Grand Canyon our return trip would take about 3 hours, the bus stopped at the Yellowstone Inn so we could refresh ourselves. While we were refreshing ourselves the tour guide and the other tour guide (there was two buses with a total of about 75 people) found out from the park rangers that the fire had closed the road we needed to travel home.

There we were hundreds of miles away from our hotel. and no road to get us home. We had been on the bus since 7 that morning and most of the people were getting tired and ready to leave. The head of the Convent General made the decision to get back by way of Cody, WY. It would take at least 6 hours, but it was the closest route. Our bus traveled a narrow, winding, cliffhanging road for the next two hours. The scenery was out of sight. We got to see more of Yellowstone than any other bus tour. The rock formations and colors were indescribable. We pulled into Cody and there was an argument about where to eat. Most wanted fast food so we could get going faster. But our leader wanted a nice dinner and told the driver to drop us off at Irma's, a good restaurant. One couple stayed on the bus out of spite. I worried that Irma's wouldn't be able to accommodate thirty one people at once. The other bus was going to Burger King. We got to Irma's and what a surprise. The place was big, they had plenty of room for us. Irma was Buffalo Bill Cody's sister and she founded the restaurant. It was the best meal I had on the trip, chicken fried steak was yummy.

During dinner our driver learned the road he was going to take was closing at 10 PM and reopening at 1 AM. We wouldn't make it by 10. The other bus was ready to leave, but our dinners were just starting to come from the kitchen. Nat suggested that maybe the fire was away from the road and we could go back that way. He called the park rangers, and indeed the road through Yellowstone was now open. That would save us 2 or 3 hours. So we all had a good meal and didn't rush to much. The other bus left about 30 minutes before us. We then got to see Yellowstone National Park by moonlight. The bus pulled in Snow King Resort at midnight. Our driver did a remarkable job. That is a 17 hour bus tour of Yellowstone.

The next day most people were tired, but the meeting started at 9 AM. I skipped breakfast at 7 as did many others. The meeting only lasted two hours. Then I joined Nat to walk around Jackson, do some shopping and have lunch. We visited the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, and ate at the Cadillac Grille. Good food. I skipped out on the installation of the new officers Sat afternoon to spend time exploring the town with Nat.

That evening was the Grand Banquet. Just the normal masonic banquet, but it was over by 8 PM which is rare. We saw many friends from around the country and met many new ones.

We left the resort at 5 AM to go to the airport and fly home.

What a wonderful trip. One we will not forget.

Grand Lodge of Iowa

I am late in writing this, but here goes. Last week the Grand Lodge of Iowa meet in their 165 annual communication. I have been going to Grand Lodge for many many years. Three times I have served as a Grand Lodge Officer and have seem many different people and events take place.
Thursday was the Grand Lodge School. This was the first year since I became proficient that I did not help in a school...it was kinda nice to just sit and watch. I have two thoughts about Grand Lodge School. First, the ritual is utmost important to masonry as is performing it well. That said the numbers attending seem to be getting less and less and few of the "craft" attend. The custodians do a wonderful job holding schools around the state. I do like the memorial service, though I have not been able to attend the last two years as I have a committee meeting at the same time. I look for the Grand Lodge School to eventually be gone, but I hope the memorial service stays.
Thursday evening was the Grand Master's Banquet. I was my pleasure to represent the Sir Knights of Iowa as their Grand Commander. Brother Bob, the Grand Master of Prince Hall Masons in Iowa was at my table, always a interesting man to talk with. I provided some entertainment for the table as the wife of the teacher of the year gave me a bad time about my bow tie. So I untied and retied it in less than 40 seconds, without a mirror. She and the others at the table were amazed.
Friday was the opening of Grand Lodge. Four Grand Commandery Officers presented the American and Iowa flags. They did a good job. I had the pleasure of being received as Grand Commander by the Grand Master. Not a lot different took place, just tired butt syndrome.
Friday night was the all Masonic Banquet and installation of the incoming grand officers. I really question why we have banquets. For $30-$40 one can go out and have a very nice dinner, guess it is just tradition.
Saturday was really the most important day. Voting on the legislation. There was a lot of proposed amendments, but most of them were withdrawn before voting.
Nat and I journeyed home Saturday afternoon, tired, and worn out.
I wish the best for our new Grand Master and the Grand Officers as they travel for Iowa Masonry.

Grand Commander's Reception

Saturday evening was one that Nat and I will remember for a long time. It is humbling and even surprising that 140 people would drive to Des Moines and take time out of their busy lives to share a meal and some fun with us. Thank You to all that attended.

This wonderful evening was made possible by the hard work and talents of many many individuals. I will not name them here, but simply say a heartfelt Thanks.

Natalie and Me

Being Knighted a Jedi Knight

Sir Knights and their ladies enjoying the evening

For more pics go to: http://picasaweb.google.com/jaycoles/GrandCommanderSReception?feat=email# Thanks to Jay for taking and posting the pictures.