Rainer Jenss and his family are currently in their third week of their year-long around-the-world journey. They're blogging about their trip for Traveler, and you can read about their stops so far here.
It may sound strange, but when putting together an itinerary for a twelve-month trip around the world, you want to factor in a little vacation time. That’s right, to paraphrase the Encarta World English Dictionary definition, we’ve planned some time throughout the year devoted to rest and recreation; a scheduled period during which regular activities are suspended. I told people before we left that I don’t consider what we are doing a yearlong holiday. After all, there’s home-schooling to be done, blogs to post, plenty of logistics to work through and lots of time in planes, trains, and automobiles. So as we completed only our third week on the road, we found ourselves in Wyoming, where we met up with our first group of friends who are joining us along the way - Carol’s college roommate and her family – for our big "summer vacation".
Our ultimate destination was the 7D Ranch in the Sunlight Basin, an hour’s drive or so northwest of the “Gateway to Yellowstone,” Cody, Wyoming. This dude ranch, which technically means a ranch that takes on (paying) visitors, probably provided us with as close of an authentic western experience as we could find for a family. Besides the horseback riding for both the adults and kids, it offered top-notch fly-fishing, skeet shooting, scenic hikes, and other various outdoor pursuits. It even included a "Wicki-Up" that simulates the Native American sweat lodge experience. Basically, guests had the choice of going into a small igloo-shaped enclosure filled with burning rocks which brings the temperature well into the mid-100 degree range. For the Indians, sitting inside it (for hours) represented a cleansing of the body and mind. For vacationers, it was a kind of test to see how long one could stand to be in an extremely hot and cramped sauna with several other dripping guests and staff members to boot. Still, there was something about this rather atypical "resort" activity that I found appropriate. It wasn’t contrived or set up solely to amuse tourists, rather it was an attempt to connect visitors with a sense of tradition unique to this part of the country.
But what made this, and so many other travel experiences we have so special were the people, wildlife, and natural elements that are distinctive to this area. Our fly-fishing guide, Nick, traveled out west from New Hampshire with his fiancé Dani to work on the ranch because he just plain loves to fish. They met at a guide school and both found jobs at 7D. They may not be native to the state, but are drawn to Wyoming’s way of life. The wildlife, although not always visible, is ever-present and an important component to the state’s stunning landscape. All you need to see is fresh grizzly scat along a trail, wolf tracks on a creek bed, or skeletal remains scattered around the hills to know that these indigenous predators are out there. And if you really want to see elk, moose, bear, wolves or bison, nearby Yellowstone National Park will give you an excellent opportunity to do so. But it’s the gift of fully experiencing the great outdoors all day that resonated most with me. When you fish here, you get in the water. Trail riding or hiking means you’re going to get hit with Wyoming’s infamous wind. Wildflowers paint the landscape with brilliant colors. The mountains of the Absaroka Range and trees of the Shoshone National Forest provide vistas that rival any postcard. It’s the opportunity to connect (or reconnect) with nature that’s perhaps Wyoming’s greatest offering, something we just don’t seem to get enough of anymore.
During the relatively short time since we left home, we had started to get into somewhat of a rhythm traveling together as a family. When we were together with friends and other vacationers the last several days, however, we reverted back to what would be considered a more "traditional" travel experience, which meant having daily activities planned and organized for us and being taken care of rather than having to be completely self-sufficient. The major difference this time though was that we were not going home when this vacation was over. Instead, we would pick up right where we left off the week earlier and continue our journey across the U.S., and the world. This time there’s no office to return to, or job to resume. As I realized this during the stay on the ranch, a completely new feeling came over me. Rather than being anxious about how fast the trip was going or dreading the return to "reality," I realized just how blessed I was to have this opportunity and I would treasure it each day moving forward.
Read More: Keep up with the Jensses by bookmarking their posts. And read Stefan and Tyler's version of their trip over at the NG Kids Global Bros blog.
Photo: Rainer Jenss
we just returned from a month long vacation where we went to Glacier, Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons (plus some other fun places around there) Check out our blog we did for the trip.
www.mcallenusavacation.com
I have to say all three of these parks are magical places. We saw wolves, bears, elk moose etc.... just amazing!
Your post hit the nail on the head. After a month in a tent my wife and I are much closer than we were before and I dream of going back some day.
Posted by: mike mcallen | August 07, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Great blog, Rainer, and gorgeous photo of our favorite wrangler! As you said, what really made this vacation so awesome was just being outside all day every day, which you definitely don't get living in New England. As I drove in the rain to pick up our dog today, I realized that the last time I had driven in rain was 15 days ago--when I was dropping my dog at the kennel before we left for Wyoming! I completely agree with your comment about the Wiki-Up not being there to amuse us, but to connect us, similar to the ranch's wolf talk (a current issue in Wyoming) and hearing stories from their Native American friend our last night (we are all watching Dances with Wolves tomorrow night -- for the 100th time, fyi!). As for getting back to "reality" vs. the ranch, I'll take the 7D any day!
Tracy
Posted by: Tracy | August 07, 2008 at 08:18 PM
Sorry I've been so hard to track down. Amy & were out in BC for her sisters wedding when you guys were rolling thru Michigan. Sounds like things are off to a rollicking start! Give Carol & the boys our best. We are still insanely Jealous of the Top Top Vips! Call me before you get to Cali so you dont miss anything really tasty.
Peace-
Dan
Posted by: Dan Riley | August 13, 2008 at 03:53 PM
Maximum Respect to the Jenss Family -- what a great voyage for you all.
Rainer, you truly know how to paint the full picture and express so well the emotions of your experiences in writing. I feel like I am right there with you -- keep it coming -- I am loving it.
All the best to you, as always.
"Some people call me Tim, but some people call me ..."
Posted by: The Enchanter | August 13, 2008 at 06:33 PM
Maximum Respect to the Jenss Family -- what a great voyage for you all.
Rainer, you truly know how to paint the full picture and express so well the emotions of your experiences in writing. I feel like I am right there with you -- keep it coming -- I am loving it.
All the best to you, as always.
"Some people call me Tim, but some people call me ..."
Posted by: The Enchanter | August 13, 2008 at 06:35 PM