Headwaters of the Yellowstone Bed & Breakfast

Our Wonderful Guests - Daria and Bernardo & Tortilla Espanola

We've just confirmed that Daria and Bernardo have nearly closed in on the purchase on a new RV and are planning a maiden voyage our way in September.  I'm sure our excitement puzzles you; don't we own a bed and breakfast that we'd much rather have them stay in?!?  Well, with Daria and Bernardo we don't' feel the need to worry - we'd chase this lively pair down no matter where they are staying.  Tim's holding onto Bernardo's gift of a Cuban cigar to smoke it in his company (and besides, I'm not sure he really knows HOW to smoke it!) and Daria still owes me a few cooking lessons! 

Daria and Bernardo originally came to us because I'd bragged confidently about the easy accessibility of fishing from our shores over the phone.  Imagine my chagrin when they arrived and I realized that the rainy spring meant that our river was far from fish-able!  Bernardo bore my "bad intelligence" with a smile and used the time to research his next fishing trip and thoroughly enjoy the park and the company of his lovely wife. I'm quite certain, however, that he'll ask to speak to Tim about all things fishing in the future.  We loved hearing about Bernardo's experience with AFS (American Field Service)as we are hosting a Finnish girl at our home for the school year.  (I'm sure we'll have more to say about Liisa once she arrives in early August - we can't wait!)  

Daria became an immediate friend; not just because she kept her promise to teach me how to make THE BEST Tortilla Espanola I've ever eaten, but because her warmth and kindness towards our entire family were evident as soon as they walked through the door.  We had a lot in common and I was sorry to see them leave. 

About Bernardo:  I was born and raised in Spain and at the tender age of 16 I became an AFS foreign exchange student spending a fantastic year in Reseda, CA and graduating again from HS. Returned to Spain and finished a BS in Chemistry at the University of Madrid. Spent two of my college summers in Germany (Berlin and in 1965 I was fortunate to get a Fulbright scholarship to Purdue University where I completed a MS in Environmental Engineering and more importantly met Daria and got married in 1967. Returned to Spain for a couple of more years to complete my military service as a 2nd lieutenant in the Spanish Army. Returned to the US in 1969 and got a job with Nalco Chemical (Fortune 500) where I had several jobs from R&D to management including a stint in Japan and Mexico. Since 1992, I have managed two start-up companies in Chicago and in Columbus, OH and after 42 years in the business world, I retired on December 2008.

About Daria: I majored in Spanish and studied other foreign languages after spending my sophomore year of college in Spain.  We returned to Spain after college and our two sons were born in Madrid.  Our daughter was born in the States.  I spent the next 23 years raising our children and “dabbling” in various other pursuits like banking and retail.  We moved around almost every two years and two of those years lived in Japanand wish we never had to leave.  While the kids were in college we spent two years in Mexico City with Bernardo’s career and then returned to Naperville, IL. 

After all three children were married I started teaching ESL for a local college and loved working with adults who wanted to learn!  We tried “retiring” to Floridabut Bernardo wasn’t ready for retirement and neither of us was ready for year-round Floridaso we moved to Columbus,Ohio to be near our daughter and her family. 

A few years ago I was diagnosed with cancer and was lucky to be near The Ohio State University and The James Cancer Center.  Because of the wonderful people there I decided to volunteer at The James.  Presently I am co-chair of an advisory council focusing on patient/family centered care and also volunteer weekly in the Family Waiting Area. 

We have 8 grandchildren – 4 boys and 4 girls from ages 5 to 14.  Three of the boys live with our son and his wife in Guatemala.  Three of the girls live in Atlanta with our other son and his wife and the other two here in Columbus.   So, we spend a lot of time traveling to see each other….and love it, though I wish we were all closer.

Why did you decide to come to Yellowstone? 

For years I have talked about going to Yellowstone and Mt. Rushmore and finally decided last summer to make reservations and “just do it”.  I am so glad we went!  It was an awesome experience.  Neither of us was prepared for what we saw and the incredible people we met.  We had never been before and are now planning our return in the Fall.  A close friend asked me what my favorite three things were.  I could not answer.  It was all combined into one set of favorite “things” for two weeks.  We drove 4400 miles in the two weeks and loved every mile.  Of course, when we got back home we realized how often we had to get out of the car to see whatever other wonderful sight was out there.  We think you are two of the luckiest people to have all that at your doorstep everyday! 

What were the highlights of your visit?

As for highlights?  all the wildlife sightings.  We never tired of the bison, though we saw many!  We loved seeing the baby bison and baby sheep climbing down the rocks….and of course our one baby bear with his mother.  We’re glad we spent the extra money and had a guide for one day.  Steve was terrific.  (Yellowstone Glacier Adventures)  It was like taking a private class and surprisingly, I do remember most of the wonderful things he taught us about Yellowstone wildlife and plant life.  He was more than knowledgeable.  He was gracious, accommodating, perceptive and enthusiastic.  We never would have seen the Great Grey Owl without him.  He knew where everything lived and also gave us a binder with material to take home and study!  And no tests, afterward…..

But, we can’t leave out finding Headwaters of the Yellowstone B&B.  People have asked how we found you and all I can say is that I got a good feeling from your website and then your call.  We were so lucky!  The four days we spent at HYBB were not only fun, but relaxing.  I really felt like we were with good friends who really loved having us there.  And, of course, I love being with someone who loves to cook and explore new recipes.  The “tortilla lesson” was great fun.  You daughters were so cute about helping.  I loved every minute of it!

Do you have any trip planning advice for your fellow guests?

Yes, don’t “overplan” every day.  But do plan ahead for places to stay.  If possible, go very early in the season or later in the Fall (did I mention we’re coming back?).  Dress in layers and be ready for colder weather.  We loved having our own picnic stuff for lunches along with plenty of water or other drinks in the car.  It’s a lot easier and cheaper than relying on restaurants every day.  Get up early! Keep a small journal of places and events along the way.  It’s fun to look back.  Talk to people who have been there before and compare notes about places not to miss.  We were so glad we listened to other families who had been there before. 

And, last but not least, Bernardo, how was the fishing?

I am an avid fisherman and for the last two years I decided to add another challenge to my life by taking up fly fishing. My one-day fly fishing at the Firehole River was incredible (8 rainbow trout), helped by my guide Travis Hansen of the West Yellowstone Fly Shop. Travis is 23 years old and not only knows fly fishing in Yellowstone but he is also a great teacher with a combination of patient and skills. My other big hobby is photography which has been enhanced by having a chance to watch wildlife in Yellowstone.  Among other things I would like to fish the Yellowstone and a great small lake (Trout Lake) that we discovered while hiking in Lamar Valley.  I also promised Daria to do something besides fishing!

We promise to give Bernardo better advice the next time he comes to visit (at least about fishing) and look forward to more cooking lessons over a glass of wine as well.  Daria and Bernardo are part of the reason we enjoy this business so much; we get to meet lovely people who remind us how to enjoy life fully and not to take our surroundings for granted.  Daria's tortilla espanol is a favorite at our family dinner table and, if I get a little better at the flipping part, it might be joining our breakfast repertoire soon.  With a lightly dressed salad and a glass of red wine it is the perfect meal. 

 

Daria's Tortilla Espanola

• 4 large Yukon gold potatoes
• 4 eggs, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup chopped white onion
• salt
• olive oil

For each tortilla you'll need a 8 inch non-stick frying pan.  Peel and slice the potatoes.  I use the food processor slicer disk. 

Heat about 2 cups of olive oil in a 10 inch frying pan.  Add sliced potatoes and cook on medium-high until tender.  Add the onions during cooking - near the end so they get tender, too.  I like to have a little crust on the edges of the potatoes.  It really adds a nice flavor, but some cooks do not. 

Drain the potatoes and onions, reserving the oil.  Let the potatoes cool in the colander, and then slightly beat the 4 eggs in a separate bowl. Add a little of the reserved oil to a 7 or 8 inch sauté or frying pan.  When it’s nice and hot, add the potato mixture to the eggs and pour into the pan.   During cooking, push the sides of the tortilla in so that it cooks evenly.  It’s really like making any sort of omelet, but it’s not folded over.  Instead, take a plate larger that the pan,  put it on top and holding it very carefully flip the tortilla over and slide it back into the pan and let it cook until done.  This is the hard part.  If you press the middle with your fingers you can tell when it’s cooked through.  This just takes practice.  You can also pierce it with a knife to see if it’s cooked through.

When it’s done, slide it onto a plate.  If you’ve used a lot of oil, I put it on a paper towel to get rid of some of the oil.  My sister-in-law told me to never put the tortilla in the refrigerator because it will dry out.  In Spain they are left out of the counters.  Usually they’re eaten up the same day.  They are great to take on picnics and of course, all Spanish kids take tortilla bocadillos to school for merienda.  (A bocadillo is a sandwich made with a baguette).

Our Wonderful Guests - Martyn & Jeanette

One of the best things about running a bed and breakfast is that you get to meet a lot of lovely people. 

In the mid 1980’s Yellowstone National Park received international acclaim when it was designated as both a World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations.  While we haven’t yet gained UN attention (!), we do serve an international clientele and, among them, were the lovely couple Martyn and Jeanette from the United Kingdom. 

Our kids were especially appreciative of Martyn’s Cockney rhyming abilities and Jeanette tolerated his flirtatious behavior in good humor! 

Martyn is a Yorkshireman who works near London and lives in the nearby beautiful Chiltern Hills.  He works as a Chartered Accountant  (CPA) in a large law firm.  Jeanette is from Namibia in southern Africa originally, and runs needlepoint tuition classes and makes doll’s house miniatures. (Amongst many other talents!)  Check out some samples of her work below - she really does some amazing stuff!  If you click on the photos, you can see them in a larger size.

 

Why did you decide to come to Yellowstone? 

“ Always wanted to visit…this was the first time, and swept it in with flying in to Rapid City, visiting Mt Rushmore, Deadwood, Sheridan, Little Big Horn, Livingston area, Yellowstone Park itself, through to Jackson Hole and the Tetons, down through Central Wyoming to Elk Mountain and Cheyenne, and flying out of Denver.”

What were the highlights of your visit?

“Where to start ??!!  The game drive into the Lamar Valley, the horse ride and seeing the black bear mother and two cubs run up the hill, the float ride near Moose Junction…stunning….and Old Faithfull. The setting and hospitality at Headwaters and making new American friends of both hosts and visitors. AND the advice to eat in the Raven Grill !!”

What sorts of wildlife were your favorite?

“The bears and all the teeming game and beautiful birds in the Lamar Valley.”

Any trip planning advice for your fellow guests?

 “Get the detailed maps, use the Internet and plan it yourself. We found the wonderfully quiet and awesome Natural Bridge Falls near Livingston this way.  Where ever possible stay in family run accommodations.”

Do tell, what’s with the OLD MISS hat?

Well….my great friend that I studied with and qualified with become USA VP Finance of a multi-national controlled from the UK.  They spent 4 years in Memphis and we vacationed with them there.  We went to see and have lunch in Oxford, Mississippi.  He always wore a MSU ball cap in Memphis and he always went to the college ball game MSU v Old Miss with friends and colleagues.

The next Christmas he sent me the Old Miss ball cap and a tee shirt with a quote from the football coach…. ‘We may not win all our games, but we ain’t never lost a party’.  So in the USA I always wear Ole Miss !

“If a man be gracious and courteous to strangers, it shows he is a citizen of the world, and that his heart is no island cut off from other lands, but a continent that joins to them.”  Francis Bacon