Jan 27, 2020 - Yellowstone National Park

Doug had a ski trip to Big Sky, Montana and I went with him to play. Yellowstone National Park is about one hour away from Big Sky, so he took a day off and we visited the park. It's very different in the winter from the summer as you will see in the photographs. On another day, I went to visit the Grizzly Bear and Wolf Wildlife Center in the town of West Yellowstone. Most Grizzlies in the wild are hibernating this time of year, but the Wildlife Center has rescue bears who do not hibernate, so I got quite close to both bears and wolves....

Oct 8, 2019 - Heading out before the storm, Laramie

Date: October 8, 2019 Tonight’s Location: Laramie Campground: KOA Mileage: End - 64717 Start - 64326 Total Miles for the day: 391 Weather: mostly sunny, windy Temperature: start 30º High 62º Wildlife count: Bighorn Sheep, Lots of Pronghorn Year List: 321 Birds: We arrived at the Chevy dealership around 7:35, and the service manager came right out and completed a diagnostic – turns out that the DEF tank heater is dead, and the entire tank will have to be replaced. We were told that it might be ready by 11. Larry and Carol met us at...

Oct 7, 2019 - Moose on the Loose!

Date: October 7, 2019 Weather: sunny, cool Temperature: start 19º High 60º Wildlife count: Moose Year List: 321 Birds: Early morning remit, then our last breakfast at Bubbas. Worked the desk today, and there were few down times. The big excitement of the day was around 1:30 when a good-sized bull moose ran down through Murie Park, behind Natalie’s office as she was coming back from Creekside, then out through our parking lot and across the street to Rustic Inn’s cabins. What a hoot!!! Hugs from everyone, including Natalie as she left for...

Oct 6, 2019 - CIG talks - last day

Date: October 6, 2019 Weather: sunny Temperature: start 23º High 50º Wildlife count: Year List: 321 Birds: We started class at 9 this morning, and everyone gave their 10-minute talk. We divided into 2 groups, which was a bummer, because we would have enjoyed hearing all the talks, but that was just not feasible. The talks were terrific. We finished around 1:40, and a bunch of us enjoyed a late lunch at Merry Piglets. After a quick grocery run, we came back and worked on packing – I think we are pretty much done in that department, then...

Oct 5, 2019 - CIG class - Day 3

Date: October 5, 2019 Weather: partly sunny, some snow Temperature: start 30º High 49º Wildlife count: Year List: 321 Birds: This was our third day of class, and we worked on ways to enhance our talks, then spent the afternoon on our outline and having one of the facilitators grade it. Both of us passed. At home, we used Walt’s air compressor to get enough pressure into our new tires – they require 120psi, and our little compressor could not do the job. Now THAT is checked off our list. Dinner was our own chili from the freezer and...

Oct 4, 2019 - CIG Class Day 2

Date: October 4, 2019 Weather: sun, snow, sleet Temperature: start 24º High º Wildlife count: Year List: 321 Birds: Spent the day in class, working on themes, then closed out the Post office box and picked up mail. Dinner was left overs. Whiteheads, Neilsons, and John and I met in the laundry to work on answers to the quiz questions.

Oct 3, 2019 - CIG class day 1

Date: October 3, 2019 Weather: sunny Temperature: start 17º High 58º Wildlife count: Year List: 321 Birds: Up and going early, we arrived for our CIG class at the Forest Service office by 7:45. The training was active, with lots of movement activities, and good thinking. At lunch, we ran to the PO, but our mail had not yet made the box, so we could not turn in our keys. We also worked on our end-of-the-course test – it is open book and a review of the literature – everyone is working together. After class, instead of staying to work...

Oct 2, 2019 - Celebration Day

Date: October 2, 2019 Weather: cloudy, snow much of the morning Temperature: start 32º High 47º Wildlife count: Elk Year List: 321 Birds: To celebrate my 70th, we left early and grabbed breakfast at Creekside. We had hoped for good lighting at Oxbow, and there were LOTS of photographers there, but no sun, and with the slight wind, no reflection, though the trees were pretty. As we neared Yellowstone south entrance, the snow began in earnest, and soon the roads were covered, then deepened. We drove up to Grant to the boat launch to check...

Oct 1, 2019 - Last day with a bunch of friends

Date: October 1, 2019 Weather: mostly sunny Temperature: start 26º High 55º Wildlife count: Year List: 321 Birds: Our first job was to refill the propane tank – with the cold nights, we use it more, and the heat pump won’t work much below 38°. Left early for work, but the Shell employee that fills tanks was not available till after 9am. John left work for a few minutes and had the tank filled later, then brought it home to install. Work was rather hectic today, with the birds inside – John and I didn’t have time to help the raptor...

Sep 30, 2019 - Camper stored for the winter

Date: September 30, 2019 Weather: partly sunny – cool and windy Temperature: start 23º High 51º Wildlife count: Year List: 321 Birds: In early for remit today, then breakfast at Bubba’s, followed by a few errands for the refuge, especially the purchase of a coffee pot – also checked the Miller House to help Bill. We found Fernando at the shop and he showed us exactly where he wanted us to park the camper. Once unloaded, Zane came and helped us load the rv hitch into the truck. We went back to town to purchase tie-downs, then installed –...

Sep 29, 2019 - Last Worship - load up camper

Date: September 29, 2019 Weather: cloudy, sleet in evening Temperature: start 37º High 50º Wildlife count: Elk (12), Pronghorn, Mule Deer Year List: 321 Birds: Enjoyed our last worship here in Jackson – next Sunday will be the last day of the CIG class. Joined John and Charma at E’Leaven, then shopped for the big tub for hoses in the basement. We checked out the shop RV sites to see if there will be room for us, and there was only 2 RVs there – hope by tomorrow there will be at least one site open. We loaded the camper in preparation for...

Sep 28, 2019 - Rain all day - Public Lands Day

Date: September 28, 2019 Weather: rain all day, some snow Temperature: start 33º High 45º Wildlife count: Year List: 321 Birds: Rain began during the early morning hours and continued most all day. We were at the VC before 7 to help set up for the Public Lands Day, which began at the VC with speakers and breakfast and coffee. Then, the almost 60 folks headed outdoors to improve trails, pull barbed wire, and begin to close social trails that destroy habitat. We felt sorry for these hardy souls as it would not be pleasant to be out in...