Another busy week

We had a delegation from the Kenyan Wildlife Service visiting the park this week to discuss benefits sharing. My boss made sure I was available to help (thanks to Ann!) and I had a really good time, minus multiple trips on Wednesday to the airport. Their plane was supposed to arrive at 10:00 in the morning, but they missed the connection in the Twin Cities due to weather and did not arrive until 11:35 that night. Ugh. They got to their hotel in Gardiner almost exactly 24 hours after they left their hotel in D.C.

Surprisingly they were in good spirits and enjoyed their time in Yellowstone. Meetings interspersed with field visits to Mammoth terraces, Norris, and Old Faithful rounded out their days. For the final night, Christie and I thought a casual bbq at my house would be a nice change from restaurants. Aims threw together a miracle spread of delicious food on VERY short notice and fun was had by all. Roast bison, bbq chicken, roasted lake trout, salad, fruit, appetizers, beer and wine all enjoyed in the back yard under beautiful weather by a crackling fire. Doesn't get much better than that.

The week in review

allergy cocktail stops working, switch to claratin = painful sinus headache

work (Claratin sort of working)

work (Claratin sort of working)

work (Claratin sort of working)

Claratin stops working = painful sinus headache

birthday party + alcohol = don't care about my allergies or sinuses

try allergy cocktail again - seems to be working

ems call

ems call

Monday again

tired, just trying to survive this season

Some days...

I find my solace in music.

Loud.

Driving beat.

Makes me want to keep hiking on and never go back.

I am thankful for Zyrtec, Flonase, and Zaditor

This allergy season has kicked my ass.

In years past, I would see my buddy Matt walking the halls of the YCR with red eyes, stuffed up and snuffling, and think, "wow, I am glad I don't have allergies like that!"

Prophetic, indeed.

I blame Kansas City. I had no allergies before moving to KC. While there, I got hay fever. Then I moved back to Yellowstone and started having allergies here, too. Damn you Missouri!!!

But this year has been like no other. A perfect storm of allergens assaulting me. Eyes itching so much I can't wear my contacts. Itchy nose. Solidly congested head (ears, nose, sinuses, cerebellum...). Can't breathe. Sneezing constantly. Sniffing.

Have I whined enough?

I tried every over-the-counter I could find. Claratin worked for a few days. Allegra did nothing. Benadryl was the only thing that helped. Unfortunately it turns me into a zombie (not great for being a productive member of society).

So after a few sick days and 3 weeks of suffering I bit the bullet and went to the clinic. I'm now on the Zyrtec/Flonase/Zaditor cocktail and am feeling almost normal. I love western medicine.