Not long ago I came across a copy of my birth certificate. At first I didn't give it much thought but after a few days I sat down to have a closer look. The document has seen better days but thankfully it’s still in one piece. Sadly, there are three distinct creases that perforate the paper where it was carelessly folded. The official seal containing the name of the hospital and the date it was incorporated appears on the front, embossed and covered in bright gold foil. The seal appears in relief on the back, partially covering my mother’s right thumbprint. A brief family history is written across the top along with my birth weight and length. At the bottom is a simple but important reminder that this document should be carefully preserved and protected.

However, what really caught my eye were the two faint impressions that appeared in the middle, my tiny newborn feet. At that moment I had yet to take my first steps in this world and now those prints were a powerful reminder of just how far I’ve travelled, hiked, roamed, wandered and explored since that day in January sixty-plus years ago—saying that out loud is surreal. In that instant I began looking back on my life and reflecting on the things I’ve accomplished and where I’ve been. The journey has been filled with plenty of successes and a handful of failures but I’m grateful for each and every experience. Without those moments we never have the opportunity to grow. 

In 2002 I moved to Bozeman and I can honestly say I’ve discovered my place in life, and a home here in Montana. Not long after moving to Bozeman I began exploring Yellowstone and for nearly two decades the park has been a significant part of my life. Before becoming a guide in 2014 I had spent a great deal of time getting to know the park and those early adventures would create the foundation for what would eventually become my full-time job. 

Like so many others I'm drawn to Yellowstone for a variety of reasons. To me Yellowstone is a wonderful reminder of what this country was like just a few hundred years ago. It's a place that makes you feel very small, yet very much alive. You can spend a single day, or an entire week, hiking in Yellowstone’s backcountry and rarely see another person, and it's gratifying to know there are still places where humans have a limited presence on the landscape.

I’m not sure where this wanderlust comes from but my curiosity, along with my desire to continue learning has always been there and for that I’m grateful. I enjoy sharing these beautiful landscapes with others, and teaching Yellowstone’s fascinating history, learning about its unique and dynamic geology and witnessing its iconic wildlife firsthand is just the icing on the cake. 

My journey started over sixty years ago when my feet were gently inked and pressed onto my birth certificate. After six decades and thousands of miles in the backcountry they still carry me comfortably across the wonderful landscapes of Yellowstone. A place where I can educate others while leaving a different kind of impression in the process. 

I hope to see you in Yellowstone.

-B-