Road Trip to Wyoming days 1-4

Wow. Has it only been 5 days since we set out on this adventure? We have seen and done so much, traveled through parts of 6 states, and driven I don't know how many miles.

Day 1 was spent driving from home to Dallas, TX. That has got to be the longest drive for us so far.

Day 2 we drove a little ways north to spend the day with our precious 94 year old Grandmother who lives in northern Texas.

The sweetest part of the visit for me was getting to play the Piano for the residents as they gathered in the Atrium waiting for dinner to start. There is the loveliest Grand Piano which is SO much fun to play. And it turns out it had just been tuned the day before.
I had so many residents and staff there tell me afterwards how much they enjoyed my playing, to God be the glory! There is no greater blessing and joy than to share my gift and love of music with others and bring a smile to their face. There was one lady who came up and requested I play "The Old Rugged Cross." As I began playing I started to sing, then mom joined in, then the lady who had requested the hymn joined in. What a sweet moment I will remember forever.

After a wonderful visit with her we spent the night close to where she lived (and our hotel was right by a quaint lake) then set out the next morning.

Day 3 we drove through the far reaches of Northern Texas (it seemed Texas would never end!) which was really a lovely drive. Farmland and fields as far as the eye could see, with an occasional hill or two. Then we drove through some of New Mexico then into Colorado and it is just beautiful here in CO!! We've gotten some lovely views of the Rockies, but I can't wait to see them in their full glory when we get to explore Rocky National Park here in the next few days.
Our stop that night was Alamosa Springs.

Day 4 we headed to explore Great Sand Dunes National Park. It's unlike any other place I've visited. There is this huge area in front of the mountains with some massive sand dunes spread out for quite a ways. It's a really beautiful and unique place. We climbed a few dunes and my sister and I might have slid and rolled down one. Cause I mean, it's not every day you get to roll down a sand dune in Colorado back dropped by mountains, right? It was worth getting covered in sand :)

Then we headed to see Manitou Springs, the cutest little town right outside of Colorado Springs. We walked around, had dinner at a yummy Jerusalem Grill, and are now at our hotel in Colorado Springs!
Dad joined us last night (he was working in Texas and flew into Denver, then was driving down) and we plan to explore the surrounding area of Colorado Springs today.

Below are some pictures from our adventures these past four days.

I might be a bit biased, but I think she is the cutest and most beautiful 

94 year old lady out there :) And she is still so sharp!

Trying to soak up each moment we are blessed to have with her.

The wide open spaces of Texas.

We drove though some patches of rain the whole way to Colorado.

Got to briefly meet New Mexico at last!

Our first views of the Rocky Mountains and they are stunning!

Something about getting in the car each day to explore new places, not always knowing what you're going to see and discover, is just so exhilarating.

The brown you see at the base of the mountains are the sand dunes.

There's a small river you cross before reaching the dunes. It pulsates, creating small waves as it flows. It's quite fascinating.

Grace and I rolled down the Sand Dune we're sitting on the edge of.

My sister and I scrambled to the top of this dune and the view was worth it.

She got a Polaroid for her birthday and has gotten some great photos with it.

View from the Visitor Center

Then we drove for about 3 hours to Manitou Springs, which is the cutest little town, and just outside Colorado Springs.

We had a yummy dinner at a Jerusalem Café.

Hope to post again with pictures from the rest of our adventures in CO, once I'm settled at the ranch. Just 4 more days until I arrive! Wow. Can't believe it's actually happening.

The backstory of this adventure

I thought my first post should be a bit more about how I got started on this adventure and what exactly I'll be doing in Wyoming for the next 4 months.

First off, I love to explore new places, and have had a burning desire for a while to see Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park the past few years. My itching to get to see the area in person and to get to photograph it has grown over the past few months.

Working at a ranch has been something I've wanted to do for a while, ever since mom began to tell me more about the ranch she used to work at, but had put it on the back-burner as I've been involved with and worked for a children's ministry for several years and we always had camps during the summer. But I knew that one day, when I felt like it was time to move on from spending my summers doing these wonderful camps and do something new, I'd pursue that dream then.
This was the year, and knew this summer was the time to jump at this chance, in between jobs, and while I was not tied down here in any significant way.

So after some thought, and some prayer, I decided to search for ranches in Wyoming, close to Yellowstone. After doing lots of searching, and finding some beautiful ranches, I came across the Gros Ventre River Ranch. The website was very helpful, and I was able to really get an idea of staff opportunities and what the ranch was like through the website: http://www.grosventreriverranch.com/ 
The more I read about it, and after seeing the stunning photos of the ranch, I felt a peace about applying.
What really appealed to me was the fact that it was so small (40 guests a week) very family friendly, and the location is pretty much perfect. I mean, you have a gorgeous view of the Teton Mountains from the ranch. Doesn't get much better than that :D

This ranch is not a part of any ministry and is just a guest ranch.
They have horse back riding with lovely views, and fly fishing on the river that runs right though the ranch.

So, after more thought, prayer, I took that first step towards my dream and applied. I didn't feel too confidant about the interview (it was my first one) but the lady who I talked to (she runs the ranch with her husband) was very kind and easy to talk with.
About three days after that, I got an email, saying they were offering me the position! I was absolutely floored, humbled, and crazy excited.

I am in the housekeeping/wait staff position. So some days I'll be cleaning cabins and sometime doing the nightly turn-down service, and other days serving food, washing dishes, etc. Those will the longer days. I'll typically have one day off a week.

I drive out May 17th. My parents and sister are driving out there with me and we're getting to spend some time in Colorado :D
I arrive at the ranch on May 25th, then they'll fly home leaving me with the car.

The season is from June 5th-October 2nd.
I'm leaving in 9 days which is making my head spin!! Still so much to do in preparation.

I have had so many people praying for me when I first interviewed and encouraging me, and so many people rejoicing with me after I got accepted and praying for me as I've counted down the days.
So, a HUGE thank you to everyone who has shown me support, given me notes and precious gifts, put together going away get-togethers for me, and have prayed for me. Every encouraging word and hug has meant the world to me.

Anyways, I hope this gives y'all a better picture of what I'll be doing this summer, and I also really hope y'all enjoy my updates, pictures, and likely lots of stories of all the crazy things I'm doing :)

You can find me on Facebook under Lindsey Ragland and on Instagram as: lraglandphotography
I'll be posting some photos there, but plan to mostly put them on the blog as time and good internet connection allows.

It's getting real y'all!! What an incredible dream come true.
And don't worry, I'll be sure and take plenty of photos to share with y'all :)