Excitement at the End!

Our friends the Franzels got stranded in Iowa with 6 feet of drifting snow.  No dinner date with them unfortunately but we had a nice opportunity to have dinner with Alicia McKenney a great friend of the family.  Our trip has been an opportunity to reconnect to friends we have lost touch with over the years.  Our evening was spent in Bozeman with Walter flying home the next day and I drove back to Gardiner to start my class which is a certification to be an Interpretive Naturalist.

Sunday I tried to do some fly fishing on my own. Finding a spot, tying my fly on the line and working with the wind.  Well, I think I got it all together but the fly disappeared. I guess my knot tying skills are in need of  improvement.  The entire experience is very Zen like.  I think I will keep working at it.

Weather finally better but unfortunately my class was inside.   Great group of very diverse people. Fourteen of us getting comfortable with each other as the end of  the course is a 10 minute presentation to the class.  A teachers background would be a great help.  Many of my classmates were staying in the housing provided by the Yellowstone Association.  The word traveled around that  a grizzly bear was feeding on an elk carcass across the river from the Yellowstone housing. At lunch we ran up to see what was happening.  They have these amazing scopes that let you see wildlife from a far distance.  It was probably 800 yards away but you could see the ribs of the elk and the bear pawing and dragging the animal.  I was very happy to be on the other side of the river.   The bear went to the river for a drink then for a siesta. Our next piece of equipment  could be a spotting scope.  When the bear left the birds took over. Immature eagles, magpie, and ravens were having a field day. This was a great way to end our trip.

I passed my course and off to Denver we went. Back to the hustle and bustle of life.  We are currently getting the Ralston cleaned and ready for bed. We have a great indoor storage place near downtown.  Spending time with the kids this week and getting ready to return to reality. We are flying home Saturday  and can't wait to see everyone.  The End!!!!!!

Elk on the football field

The beauty of the west

For the beauty and enjoyment of the people!  Closed!!

Winter in Gardiner, WY

We are now out of Yellowstone. The campground closed down and we had to leave the park.  Our last day at camp was a hike to the top of Purple Mountain. Remember that we were not to leave the area but luckily the trail head was across the street. We ran across the street through employee housing and on the trail before anyone caught us.  We saw 2 other escapees on the trail who were doing the same thing. The view was of the entire valley and from the top we could see the jagged mountains of the Tetons. You know I am a rule follower but this was well worth it.  Back to camp and the  trip to Gardiner.  On the road out of the park we saw less then 5 cars.   Stopping a few times to see a coyote, bison, and a herd of antelope.   For us the shutdown enabled us a rare opportunity to experience the park with few people.

The Airstream is now parked along the Yellowstone river in Gardiner , MT where all the snow was falling. The weather is supposed to break next week.  I have to say that The Ralston is handling all this weather quite well.  The temp inside the AS is holding nicely and keeping us dry.  Yesterday we went to a local hot springs resort for a well needed dip and a dinner that was surprisingly terrific.  This place called Chico was in the middle of nowhere and was packed with people.  As we were driving around town a man stopped us in the middle of the street and it turned out he was from NJ and recommended this outing. We NJ people are everywhere.

I am staying for the Interpretation class next week while Wally comes home for some work. It looks like the temps will be in the 50-60's and sunny. Yeah!!  Our friends the Franzels are moving out to Washington so we are getting together for dinner near here on Saturday night. Nice to see friends.

Alone in Yellowstone

A

Shutdown-what is with these people?

Finally the first sun in days. I feel better. We got up to hike the geyser trail and see some very beautiful sites.   After about 4 miles on our return from Mystic Falls we were  rousted by the ranger.  Don't site see, recreate in anyway, go to your car and or hotel and stay inside. Not what you think about when the National Parks come up in conversation. I sent a letter to  our congressman and senators and said act like professionals.   We stayed in The Old Faithful Inn last night and what a nice treat. Off to camp one night in the park then off to Gardier WY for the Interpretive Naturalist class. Snow is predicted for Thursday. Hope not much accumulation but better then rain.  My best.  K and W.

The shutdown. No visitors center!!

Old Faithful