Workampers in Yellowstone

It worked out we had time to go through Yellowstone. Since we'd be ending up in Jackson, we decided to go via West Yellowstone, then down through the park to Lake Village for a photo tour before going to Jackson. We have friends working in West Yellowstone. One couple - Tom and Nancy - had already left. Paul and Joan were still working and through an email the night before, we found out they'd be working. We could stop by the Yellowstone Outlet where Joan worked and Paul could come from another branch around the corner.

They both love this job because they can get somewhat duded up. Another favorite employer was  Corrington Enterprises in Skagway, AK where Joan got even more dressed up with a fancy hat and Paul dressed as a stampeder. Here and in Skagway, they get asked to pose for photos with tourists. Paul, especially, loves to joke and clown with the tourists and make their visit fun.

Joan is a talented lady. If you notice to her right, a head, made up and decorated that head sporting a hat. Below is a look-alike next to Paul. Paul jokingly asks, "Can you tell which is the dummy?" Paul is known as Buffaloman and wouldn't you know, we spotted a painted buffalo near the Chamber of Commerce, just around the corner. Down the street in a shop are beautifully painted gourds for sale that Joan paints.

We only had a short visit, but enjoyed meeting Paul and Joan in person. They have worked in two places that Bill, my late husband, and I worked: Skagway and at Coulter Bay in Grand Teton National Park.

We worked our way from stop to stop down to Old Faithful. We had lunch at the historic Inn. Sharon, our server, turned out to be a Workamper from Oregon. She had stopped here in 2003 as a tourist and came back as a worker. The other Workamper led our photo tour. Doug has been in the park for years- I think he started in the 80s, originally as a bus boy! He started the photo tours in 1998. Our friend, Betty, also gave photo tours in the historic buses but is not working in Yellowstone this year and recommended Doug, if we could get him. Doug has been living in a 5th wheel for the last few years in the summer while working here. (He's holding window cleaner as a joke since I was also sending this photo to Betty. It's an inside joke about clean windows.)

There are so many Workamping opportunities in a national park that has concessionaires and in gateway cities right outside parks. Paul and Joan have an RV site with their job, even though they are not working in an RV park. And most concessionaires have low cost sites plus have meal tickets if you do not want to cook or just want a break from your cooking.

National parks are wonderful places to work if you love the outdoors. We've seen lots of wildlife even in our short time here. Working here allows you to experience the area in and around the park in way more depth than a tourist ever could. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Comments

[Janice Williford Evans]

We worked at a different gift shop in West Yellowstone than Joan and Paul, and also had a private RV site provided by the owner. . .so great.

We spent four months and still didn't see everything. . .it is an awesome place to be.

Earthquake Lake is also an amazing place to see with an amazing story!

Enjoy your family reunion,
Janice
ReadyToGoFullTimeRVing.blogspot.com

[Jaimie Hall Bruzenak]

George has fished Earthquake Lake! We didn't see it this time, though. Yes- so much to explore. You probably experienced the same thing we did- it would be so fun to come back and there are so many other neat places to see too. Which to do?

[bianca]

It's always a pleasure to work in Yellowstone, especially if you love a job that's more on outdoor and challenging activities. Yellowstone is one of the most popular parks in the country and there is no doubt that you will surely love to be in this serene spot and be closer to nature.

[Jaimie Hall Bruzenak]

Thanks for the comment, Bianca.

Jaimie