The Cowboy State

I was lucky enough to get a chance to go visit my friends and family in Wyoming... for free! My company needed someone to take some water samples in Sheridan, and since they knew I was from Wyoming, they asked if I would like to do it. SIGN-ME-UP! When I landed in Sheridan, it was snowing... keep in mind this is almost May! My plan was to drive over the mountain to Worland that afternoon. However, my uncle had just gone over the mountain and told me not to attempt the drive. It was slick, icy, windy, and there were boulders falling on the highway. So I waited it out until morning to go over. The roads were fine and the drive was BEAUTIFUL! That is the part of Wyoming I miss the most. The mountains, the fresh air, the quietness. Once in Worland, I checked in to the Hotel a la Grandma Mary. I couldn't help but smile. She turned my bed down for me, had toothpaste and mouthwash on the bathroom counter for me, and a robe laying on my bed. How cute is that? I feel really fortunate to have gotten to go on this trip. Since my parents don't live in Wyoming anymore, I was never really sure when and if I would make it back. And as my grandparents get older, I know that every chance to see them is worth a million dollars. They have always been a huge part of my life and I miss not living close to them. My poor grandma is having a hard time. She is losing (or has lost :) ) her memory. She is struggling to recover from a major back surgery she had over a year ago, and the doctors found fluid on her brain. She has a shunt that runs from her cranium to her stomach, and needless to say, she is very sore. They are hoping that draining this fluid will help her memory, but if not, it's probably just old age knocking on the door. My grandpa is a trooper. Actually, he is probably the strongest man I have ever seen. He is calm. He listens to her. He encourages her. He has hope. He loves her. He told me that it is his job to take care of her. I told him she is so lucky to have him, and he said it goes both ways. All in all, my trip was wonderful and I am so glad I was able to make it happen. Here is a picture of my grandparents (5 yrs ago), and a few pictures of the mountain and of me collecting the water samples.