Our adventure began in West Yellowstone, Montana, where it was an unseasonable 85°+. After a wonderful dinner meeting new friends and reaquainting with old friends, we had a good solid rest before heading into the park early the next morning. Driving into the west entrance of the huge park, stopping at the wonderful sights of Gibbon Falls (the first of many beautiful waterfalls we would see), Norris Geyser Basin, and the Artist's Paint Pots, which we took at their word, we stopped for a while to hike around, sketch and paint. These bizarre little blurbling mounds were interesting and fun to watch in the strikingly barren landscape. After a couple of hours enjoying them, we continued on our way toward Mammoth Hot Springs.

Heading away from the canyon we were treated to a serene view of Yellowstone Lake while eating our lunch upon its shore, then continued around the lake, winding our way up to the Old Faithful Inn, an incredible rustic log-cabin lodge that immediately put you into the Old West. The cavernous entry area, five stories tall, with a lookout's cabin way up in the top of the Great Room and a clock on the chimney that is two stories tall was truly jaw-dropping. The staff has to go to the third floor and walk out on a catwalk, high above the hearth, to wind the clock! The rooms were tiny and rustic. The floors creaked and groaned as one walked and we felt like we were the gold-rushers of a hundred years ago. Right outside the Inn were more geysers than you could shake a stick at. Immediately to the right, not 100 steps away, was Old Faithful herself, with a countdown board, walkway and benches lined with tourists awaiting her next performance. An incredible and unreal sight to be sure, but only one of dozens that would present themselves over the coming days.
On one glorious hike, we were treated to six previously elusive geysers going off, seemingly just for our enjoyment. One by one, down the trail, they would blurble up and blast away just as we approached. (Has to be some sort of record...) We continued our journey, examining the microcosms and strange life forms that chose to live within, sidestepping bison and elk as we made our way past sights including Castle Geyser, Anemone Geyser, Firehole Geyser, Spasmodic Geyser, Crested Pool, Scalloped Spring, Chimney Geyser, Teakettle Spring, Beehive Geyser, Grotto and Riverside Geysers, and finally the Morning Glory pool and the Grand Prismatic Springs.

We continued on our adventure by driving out of Yellowstone and into the Grand Tetons Park. Fall colors were abounding during the whole workshop, lending their energy to the images that we were experiencing --and would soon be creating. The majestic peaks continued for miles alongside us as we ventured farther south. Turning off the main road toward the mountain range, we were treated to the last rays of the setting Sun as they bathed the flanks of Mount Moran. We stopped for a while to gaze reverently at the inspiring play before us and then continued on the side road along the range until reaching our final destination of Jackson Hole - a fun little city, although extremely tourist driven. We spent a number of hours at the Wildlife Art Museum, taking in the many works displayed there. Good times were had at the local Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, soaking up the old west atmosphere, complete with saddles instead of barstools. We played tourists for three days, one morning awakening to snow on the roofs of our little log cabins. The evening of the second day in Jackson our fellow workshop attendees were whisked off to the local theater to see Space Cowboys, the theme of this workshop and a fitting punctuation to a most successful time of gathering, creation and growth. (Here we are, space artists in cowboy country, the film is still playing in our last stop, Jackson, Wyoming, we've gotten everyone to the Cowboy Bar, we go to the theater and wait for someone to notice that Tommy Lee Jones wears a Million Dollar Cowboy Bar t-shirt in the film.... Suddenly, it all came together.) As the days and good times in Jackson passed, we said our goodbyes one by one to our friends as our workshop officially came to a close.

In the days following, the first winter storm began to bear down on the little town of Jackson. One last time before our flight departed, we ventured back north to capture the evolving scene that had been green and gold only yesterday.

Thank you, one and all.

Joy Day