Oct 6, 2017 - On the road again... to Laramie

Date: October 6, 2017 Tonight’s Location: Laramie Campground: KOA, after 10/1, no water, so under $30 Mileage: End - 19605 Start - 19213 Total Miles for the day: 392 Weather: clouds/sun/very windy, mostly tail wind Temperature: start 36º, then down to 28° High 52º Wildlife count: lots of Pronghorn Year List: 339 Birds: We were up at 5:30, and on the road just after 7am. We had to get re-acclimated to hooking up the RV – it’s been over 5 months since we moved! Even though it rained last night, John traveled slowly enough that no Elk...

Oct 5, 2017 - Last special projects for Natalie and packing

Date: October 5, 2017 Weather: sunny Temperature: start 26º High 56º Wildlife count: Year List: 339 Birds: Spent the day shopping at Staples for Natalie – things that were on the order list, and found most of them. Got most everything put away. Spent the rest of the day getting ready to leave. As of this evening, all that is left is to hook up tomorrow and leave. Bill came by after dinner to say goodbye and we enjoyed talking about his upcoming trip. What good friends we have made here.

Oct 4, 2017 - End of season projects

Date: October 4, 2017 Weather: sun am, clouds and rain pm Temperature: start 26º High 48º Wildlife count: Year List: 339 Birds: The day was spent working on special projects that Natalie needed completed, remit, training a new naturalist, recycling, light bulb inventory, and changing furnace filters – lots of things that needed to be done to complete the summer season. Bill and Statia joined us for dinner at Artisan Italian – had a wonderful evening together.

Oct 3, 2017 - Sunshine in the Hole

Date: October 3, 2017 Weather: lots of clouds am, sun pm Temperature: start 31º High 46º Wildlife count: Pronghorn, Moose Year List: 339 Birds: Our plan was to get early reflection photos, but the clouds were thick when we awoke. Change of plans – breakfast at McD’s, grocery store, and final pick-up at the Post Office – turned in our keys. When we returned home, we completed a deep clean. We won’t have good access to power at the storage area, so we wanted to have it almost ready to go back to Santa Ana. The sun came out and the...

Oct 2, 2017 - Snowy hike to Taggart Lake

Date: October 2, 2017 Weather: snow, cloudy Temperature: start 31º High 41º Wildlife count: Mule Deer, Chipmunk Year List: 339 Birds: Rough-legged Hawk It was a wonderful, relaxing morning! There was some blue in the sky, so after a good breakfast, we decided to hike Taggart Lake Trail. The sun peeked out several times, illuminating the snow covered everything, and the ceilings lifted to create beautiful, dreamy reflections on the lake. It was a delightful walk, and the birds were fun as well – lots of small flocks. Lunch was at Signal...

Oct 1, 2017 - Autumn Color - Snake Canyon, Palisades

Date: October 1, 2017 Weather: some sun, clouds, snow, rain, sleet Temperature: start 34º High 48º Wildlife count: Mule Deer Year List: 338 Birds: We enjoyed delightful worship, then brunch at Bubbas, where I enjoyed the Hunter’s Benedict, a favorite with elk medallions. It was excellent. As there was some sunshine, we decided to take a ride, and headed south through the Snake River Canyon. The leaves were beautiful, and the patches of sun highlighted aspens, maples and fire bushes. The same was true along Palisades. We stopped at the...

Sep 30, 2017 - Surprises and Good-byes

Date: September 30, 2017 Weather: sunny at sunrise, then cloudy and rain Temperature: start 27º High 50º Wildlife count: Year List: 338 Birds: We enjoyed several surprises today. After a relaxing morning, we donned FWS clothes and went to the VC. We told John and Charma good-bye, and then told them to go home – “Good-bye”, so that they could get home before dark. After the initial shock wore off, they left, and were headed to Salt Lake by 11:30, and we got word that they are home and safe. Lunch was at Moe’s BBQ, which is downtown on...

Sep 29, 2017 - Yellowstone in autumn

Date: September 29, 2017 Weather: sunny – gorgeous weather Temperature: start 32º High 57º Wildlife count: Pronghorn, Elk, Mule Deer, Chipmunk, Vole, Bison Year List: 338 Birds: By 6:45am we had our breakfast sandwiches from Creekside and were on the way up toward Ystone. The sun just tipped the peaks with pink as we stopped for some photos, but alas, the battery was dead, and so was the one in the truck. BUT, the day was saved, as there was a battery charger in the truck console, so with a minute’s worth of charge, I got two beautiful...

Sep 28, 2017 - Check-out

Date: September 28, 2017 Weather: sunny all day!!! Temperature: start 30º High 62º Wildlife count: Year List: 338 Birds: This morning was the collection of most everyone’s clothes, books and keys. The collection occurred in the upstairs conference room of HQ, so Natalie did not have to go downstairs. We carried the packets downstairs and learned how to check-out the volunteers. Lunch was at Bubbas, our first time to eat there when it was not breakfast – it was quite good. I had BBQ chicken and John enjoyed a BBQ sausage sandwich. The...

Sep 27, 2017 - Appreciation Banquet

Date: September 27, 2017 Weather: sunny Temperature: start 27º High 60º Wildlife count: Bighorn Sheep Year List: 338 Birds: Our morning was spent working outdoors. We washed vehicles with John Whitehead and prepared for leaving, doing a little packing. After lunch, we showered and picked up James and Rosemary to help set up for the party. Everyone worked together and had the room set up in about an hour. The food and conversation were delightful. Everyone who spoke was appreciative of the volunteers and the presents were wonderful. John...

Sep 26, 2017 - Last scheduled work day

Date: September 26, 2017 Weather: mostly sunny Temperature: start 30º High 57º Wildlife count: Year List: 338 Birds: This was our last scheduled day of work for this season. The VC was not particularly busy, so the entire team just enjoyed being together. Dinner was corn chowder, brats, and Margaret and Joe brought us some Texas cake for dessert – a great treat!

Sep 25, 2017 - Bubba's breakfast with James and Rosemary

Date: September 25, 2017 Weather: cloudy Temperature: start 33º High 44º Wildlife count: Year List: 338 Birds: We enjoyed breakfast this morning with James and Rosemary at Bubbas, and helped them to plan their Big Bend trip. We talked and shared stories for almost 2 hours. Work at the VC was not difficult – steady most of the day. There are not snow-closed roads in Y-stone, which makes it much easier for us. It is our last closing day, at least for the regular schedule. Don’t know what Natalie has need for next week – her schedule for us...