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Comment by Connie on May 10, 2009 at 3:15pm

I made it to West Yellowstone. Check in with YGS tomorrow. Met one person in the lobby who also checks in tomorrow. Tomorrow is apparently Tower check-in day. I am feeling a little under the weather with the drastic altitude change, so not doing much today. I had drank lots of water on the way here, but apparently it wasn't the whole answer.

Comment by CHRISTINA on May 4, 2009 at 11:48am

To Barb: Thanks for the info on Acadia. Yea a fan is always handy, and Mt. Rushmore can get pretty hot. Don't take a lot of stuff with you; keep everything to a minimum. After 10 years of doing this "adventure" lifestyle I've finally got it down to a science (or so I think). A lot of hauling stuff across country I never used finally taught me a good lesson. Christina

Comment by CHRISTINA on May 4, 2009 at 11:45am

Connie: I was a manager in the hotels, first front desk, then Asst. GM; what I meant was the fact that I got my room and board for free, as a manager. Plus I didn't have to cook. That is a real advantage, manager or not, working for the concessions. They provide your food unless you live in an RV and then there are food vouchers you can get. The other advantage is the comaraderie - when you live, eat, work together you tend to make friends quicker/easier, and recreate with those friends. With the government you're still on your own, although I have made some really good friends. So its a little different. The downside to hotel management is the stress of thousands of guests, and hundreds of employees, some of the latter there strictly to play and not to work, and you still have an operation to run. Its a hectic season, especially a place like Canyon with 600 rooms, 500 employees. I was on call (middle of the night) many many times; plus worked some overtime (no extra pay), which I don't do now that I work for the park service. They both have their pros and cons, and I enjoy (and not) aspects of both. Hope that helps. Enjoy Tower - its hectic there especially in the stores, but not near as much as say OFI, so you're in a good place. Any other questions, let me know. Christina

Comment by Stir on May 4, 2009 at 11:27am

Hello Connie! 40 years ago (1969) my buddy Dan and I worked in Yellowstone, he at Tower Falls and me at Mammoth. Tower was quite desolute in those days!

I'm coming back to the park this summer for the first time since 1969....we are having a reunion of some of the workers from that summer. I doesn't look like any Tower folks will make it, but I did manage to track down a few of them, working from a list that was given out at the end of that summer with everybodys address.

I have just retired, and I'm going to look things over, and maybe apply for work for 2010. I'm looking forward to my trip!

Enjoy your summer, its quite an opportunity!

Comment by Barb on May 4, 2009 at 11:01am

Thanks Christina. I had been through Yellowstone/Glacier/Mt Rushmore/Zion/Bryce/Smokey Mts/Blue Ridge Parkways as a tourist. Love it so applied, Mt. Rushmore with Xanterra will be my first gig, a job with a view! A fan hadn't even crossed my mind, than you so much for that. I lived in Maine a few years, visited Bar Harbor, Cadillac Mtn at Acadia, beautiful state and you must go to the docks for a bushel of clams or do a clam bake somewhere!

Comment by Connie on May 4, 2009 at 7:09am

Christina, Good to know about the fan. I had been wondering about that. Don't know what type of a dorm I will be in at tower, but better to have the fan than to not have it.
You mentioned advantages/disadvantages of working for tha hotels. I went with retail.. if you have time, please comment on adv vs dis of hotel...

Comment by CHRISTINA on May 4, 2009 at 4:48am

Hey Barb - I see you've worked both Yellowstone and Glacier by your photos. Me too; 4 summers in each; love them both, but am trying something different this year - Acadia (Maine). I will be working for the park service again; next year may go back to work for the hotels because there are some advantages to it (some disadvantages too). Friends all say I won't enjoy Acadia (never been) after being in Yellowstone and Glacier, but I'm up for a new challenge, and I hope what they're telling me is not what you're hearing about Mt. Rushmore - each place has its own draw and charm. I hope you enjoy it very much; was just there on my way home last fall; we enjoyed Custer State Park and the surrounding towns also. As a (former) hotel manager in the parks, and having friends in the dorms, coming in late presents a different tone sometimes; everyone else is settled in, but you will be fine I am sure. Since I've worked for Xanterra (3 summers) I'm going to guess that you won't have an orientation coming in so late, but you will get a handbook and don't hesitate to ask many questions. Bring a fan. It will get hot at some point, and those old buildings are not ventilated well. Have a wonderful summer.

Comment by Karen Michelle Dedman on May 3, 2009 at 9:21pm

I meant to ask where you were going to be working. I will be at M.P.L. My first time there. I am still packing. So little time, and lots to do before I fly away to beautiful Alaska.

Comment by Barb on May 3, 2009 at 8:27pm

I don't find many people on here working Mt Rushmore, except Sue and I know she enjoys it. I don't start till mid June through mid September and am wondering if I will still have orientation, how my roommate at the dorm will like someone coming in so late and is there any one particular item above all else that I should bring?

Comment by Brenda on March 27, 2009 at 3:36pm

I've heard good and bad, some love it there, me personally I didn't care for it

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