800 South Washington St., Afton, WY 83110 (307) 885-4337 | www.drlivingstondds.com
June 2019
Life With Livingston Dental
e G e n
The Journey
Finding Our Way Along the Road or Waves
Jeanelle had graciously prepared meals for us before she left, but on our last day without her, all the meals had been eaten. There was nothing left in the fridge, so I suggested to the kids, “Why don’t we go out to eat?” Of course, they were excited. We drove the five miles from our home into Afton to get burgers. During the drive, my son David suddenly announced, “Dad, I could never be a good cook.” “I don’t have a driver’s license,” David said, completely straight faced. David equated my cooking skills with my ability to get us to a Burger King or Taco Time. Twenty years later, David is pursuing his dream of a culinary degree. He’s a prime example of how you never know the path your child will choose. Speaking with him recently, I asked if he remembers being certain he would never be a good cook. David started laughing. “You were a great cook, Dad.” “Why not?” I asked, truly perplexed.
We docked in Juneau, where we got to visit the state museum, which displays the document showing our country’s purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867. The price? Seven million dollars! At the time, the exchange was called Seward’s Folly, named after Secretary of State William Seward. Now, though, I don’t think anyone questions our purchase of Alaska, given its bountiful natural resources and unparalleled beauty. Sometimes, it takes time to see how a decision will turn out. One thing I recall from every road trip was cleaning our car before we left. What month-old mystery food would I find wedged in the seats? It was always an adventure, though sometimes it was less pleasant than others depending on the kids’ snacks on the previous trip. The other mystery? All the change I would find! I made money by cleaning out the vehicle. With each of our kids, the journey was unique. Parenting is such a fascinating journey. You think you learn everything with the first child, but we’ve raised five kids. Each one is different, and some are polar opposites. By the time you get to the last kiddo, you’re closer to figuring it out, but it’s still a lifelong journey.
When our kids were little, we wanted to show them different parts of the country, so we took them on various adventures. One year, we rented a motor home and took a 1 1/2-week vacation to Disneyland. We stopped whenever we needed or wanted. The kids had never been in a motor home before, so it was an entirely new experience for them. They enjoyed playing games as we drove down the interstate. Every time we pulled over, the kids climbed the trees, scrambling to the top until the branches swayed under their weight and forced them lower. The hardest part was getting them down when it was time to get back on the road. Somehow, we all made it through unscathed and had a great time in California. In fact, we enjoyed the journey as much as the destination. Another year, we took a cruise to Alaska up an inside passage on a route that normally catered to seniors. The cruise line was offering a good deal, so we booked a trip along with Jeanelle’s sister and her family, who had children around the same age as ours. Aboard the ship, we found that the population consisted mostly of newlyweds and seniors. It was our first cruise as a family, and we enjoyed seeing this stunning part of our country from our new vantage point.
That’s hindsight for you.
Once, when Jeanelle was out of town for a few days, it was just the kids and me.
1 Livingston Dental
Enjoying the Journey
Roadside Attractions Worth Visiting
since it’s 58 degrees year-round. Kids and adults alike can learn about the history and geology of the area on a guided tour through forest above and lake below. And afterward, you can stop by the general store, ice cream parlor, or cafe. THE MYSTERY SPOT; SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA Advertising itself as a “gravitational anomaly,” this wacky spot in the middle of the redwood forest showcases a series of optical illusions such as balls rolling uphill and a cabin where visitors can lean toward the ground and appear to defy gravity. It might not be aliens, like some believe, but visitors of all ages will get a kick out of the illusions messing with their perception. Plus, the nearby hiking trails through the redwoods offer a free added experience. DINOSAUR LAND; WHITE POST, VIRGINIA It might not be Jurassic Park, but it’s still worth a look. Nestled in the greenery of Northern Virginia, this park has over 50 life-size statues of dinosaurs of all kinds. Tours are self-guided, parking is free, and children (or adults) with dinosaur obsessions are sure to smile and point out their favorites. It’s certainly something to “rawr” home about.
The United States can be a weird place, and some landmarks definitely reflect that sentiment. Along almost every highway, bizarre landmarks draw road trippers of all ages. Sometimes tourist traps aren’t worth the price of admission, but when you’re taking your summer road trip this year and your family needs a place to stop and stretch, these are three roadside attractions worth checking out. THE LOST SEA; SWEETWATER, TENNESSEE The Lost Sea is the largest underground lake in the U.S. Lying 140 feet beneath the surface, it’s a fun escape from the summer heat,
Whether these spots are your destinations or you’re just passing through on your summer road trip, visiting these roadside attractions and others like them will add some fun to your travels. 3 Tricks to Keep Your Gear Dry
in a rainstorm or had to cross a river, you might not feel the same sense of relief. An effective way to dry wet socks and other clothes is to use your own body heat. Once you’ve changed into something dry, place wet socks between your layers of clothing, allowing them to warm and slowly dry. Insider Tip: While weight is a consideration for backpacking, it’s worth it to carry an extra pair of socks designated for sleeping so you’ll always have a dry pair to look forward to when you arrive at camp. 3. SUIT UP YOUR SLEEPING BAG Moisture that collects in the night can lead to a damp sleeping bag, and you want to do everything you can to retain heat in wet weather. Get better sleep by using your rain jacket to further insulate your sleeping bag. Put your jacket around the end of your sleeping bag and zip it up, creating a heat trap that will keep your toes toasty. Insider Tip: Keep wet gear out of your tent whenever possible by storing it in the vestibule rather than the main space.
Incoming clouds can really rain on a weekend camping trip. Getting wet isn’t just a nuisance; it can be dangerous in cold climates.
Outdoor experts, like the instructors at the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), know the tricks to keeping dry, even on the wettest days. Here are three tricks these pros swear by.
1. LINE YOUR PACK WITH A PLASTIC BAG Garbage bags are an easy and cost-effective way to waterproof your pack. As you’re preparing for your trip, put the garbage bag into your backpack first and place your sleeping bag, clothing, and any other items that must stay dry inside it. Carefully twist and fold the bag inside your pack to close it up, place any items that are okay to get wet on top, and look forward to having dry, warm clothes. 2. USE YOUR BODY HEAT TO DRY DAMP CLOTHES There’s nothing like getting to camp at the end of a hard hike and taking off your pack to finally relax. But if you got caught
Happy trails, and stay dry out there!
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We Appreciate Our Patients
Plus, Don’t Miss Out on Your Chance to Win a Barbecue!
Ah, summer … Time to put some burgers on the grill, enjoy an ice- cold drink, and sit back to enjoy this warmer time of year. It’s pretty fantastic, isn’t it? You know what else is fantastic? The gas grill we’re giving away to one of our lucky patients who shares their Livingston Dental experience with family and friends, like Cindy, who had these kind words to share after visiting our office: “I broke a tooth, and Livingston Dental was able to get me right in to fix the problem. As fate would have it, they also had an opening on Saturday to start the implant process. I was very scared because my experience with a different dentist was so horrid that I never went back! Not only was Livingston Dental professional but they were also very compassionate and concerned about my worries and set me at ease. The whole experience was very good, and the implant process was really simple compared to what I had experienced before. I would highly recommend them and will probably never seek another dentist!” –C indy
Thanks for your kind words, Cindy! We love hearing from our patients!
If you’d like to get started, here’s how the referral program works:
Your First Referral = 3 Tickets
Your Second Referral = 5 Tickets
Your Third Referral = 10 tickets
In addition, if you leave us a review after your appointment through the link we send to your phone, you’ll earn three more tickets . Our quarterly drawing is coming up on June 30 , so there’s still an opportunity to get your referrals in for this quarter, but there’s not much time left! You have until 4 p.m. on June 30 to make your referrals for this drawing. Go ahead, tell your friends and family — and Google — why you love Livingston Dental!
Puzzle Time! June Word Search
BLT Dogs
N J
S B R R B T Z B H A T T V
H O R I
E J
R V M U E Q I
O Z
W I I M R V E F D Y W A Q H J G T M T R L A P N H M Z C N J A U H B A P K Z P U T A N H E S P R X S C X B J V S U M E D G O D K J V A U Y A L P S X I O V J B Y L N V T T N T M A S P O D B Q E E O H R U P H O T N M N N Z H H S D M F T O E U F L C U Y C B N E D V Q Q P O F K T D B W S J G V M N C A E B S M W A Y L G G G C B V X Y C D U D G U X F D X K D H Y A I Q G M I A G T R A V E L E H
Ingredients
Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
• 1 tbsp mayonnaise • 1 head romaine lettuce, shredded • 1 large tomato, seeded and diced • Salt and pepper, to taste
• 4 strips bacon • 4 hot dogs (ideally Boar’s
Head Beef Frankfurters, but any all-beef variety will do)
• 4 hot dog buns
Directions
1. Heat a skillet to medium and fry bacon until rendered and crisp. Transfer to a paper towel to drain. 2. Fry hot dogs in bacon drippings, creating a crust, and cook until warmed through. 3. Using a dry skillet or oven, toast buns. 4. Spread mayonnaise on buns, place hot dog and bacon inside, and top with tomatoes and lettuce. Serve.
FUN OUTSIDE SUN VACATION
BREAK JUNE SUMMER TRAVEL
BEACH HOT PLAY TAN
BEACH
BREAK
FUN
HOT PLAY TAN
JUNE
OUTSIDE
SUMMER TRAVEL
SUN
VACATION
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
on being named Top Dentist of Wyoming 2018!
800 South Washington St., Afton, WY 83110 (307) 885-4337 | www.drlivingstondds.com
Inside
A Traveling Journey
Roadside Attractions With Fun for All Ages How to Stay Dry While Camping in the Rain
What Our Patients Are Saying BLT Dogs
Visiting Glacier National Park
How to Enjoy Glacier National Park
peels can take years to decompose in this environment. If you’re tempted to leave something behind, just imagine what would happen if every visitor — about 3 million last year — had the same thought. 3. ENJOY WILDLIFE FROM A DISTANCE You might see mountain goats, bears, and other wildlife. It’s great to stop and appreciate these incredible creatures, but keeping a safe distance protects you and the animals’ well-being. Wildlife Count on the beauty of Glacier any time of year, but also count on unpredictable weather. If you go this summer, be sure to bring layers and waterproof clothes to survive those chilly nights. Visit Nps.gov/glac/index.htm for weather conditions and other park updates. Enjoy your time in this breathtaking place! becoming too comfortable around people can endanger their lives.
Glacier National Park, situated in northern Montana about an eight-hour drive from Afton, is a spectacular place to visit during the summer. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Rockies, alpine meadows, glaciers, and lakes and don’t miss the scenic Going- to-the-Sun Road! Here are a few ways to make the most of your Glacier National Park experience. Glacier can get busy during the summer months, as people from all over the country come to enjoy hiking trails and camping sites. While fewer services may be available, consider visiting in late summer or early fall to have a quieter, more tranquil park experience. Determine what works best for you and plan ahead for the best experience. 1. PLAN AHEAD
2. LEAVE NO TRACE
An influx of visitors means you need to “leave no trace” at the park. Even food items like orange and banana
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