THAT'S A LOT OF BULL

A TRIO OF BULL ELK

Saturday morning, June 22, 2013 I was on my way from Lake Yellowstone back to the town of West Yellowstone. It was shortly after 6 o'clock in the morning. I was just sort of puttering along enjoying the scenery and the quiet and the beauty of Yellowstone.

I rounded a corner in the road somewhere in the West Thumb area of the park. On the right-hand side of the road I caught a glimpse of a bull elk. Naturally, I slowed down considerably hoping to be able to get a picture of him. He came out of the woods and crossed the road in front of me.

A movement on the left-hand side of the road caught my eye and then it dawned on me – there was not one bull elk – there were actually three off them.

As you can see from this photo – they all have pretty sizable racks already. The racks are beautiful – they are all still in velvet.

Immediate reaction – hit the hazard lights to warn other vehicles of their presence – stop the car – pick up the trusty camera and began shooting.

You can see the end result above.

YELLOWSTONE FOR KIDS

RANGER PROGRAM - YELLOWSTONE

Bringing the kids to Yellowstone this summer? Wonder what you're going to do with them after they've seen Old Faithful? There are many programs in Yellowstone National Park that are directed towards children.

For instance, they could become a Junior Ranger. The Junior Ranger newspapers located at any visitor Center are free. This will allow your children to start tracking the animals that they see, predicting the geyser eruptions and many more activities. Children from ages 5 to 11 who complete enough of the activities in the newspaper will earn their very own Junior Ranger patch.

They can also hear tales around the campfire. Check at any of the visitor centers for the times and locations of these program. At a family campfire you will all hear the tall tales about mountain man, the American Indian -  along with stories about the bison the elk and the bears.

They can also hop the stagecoach at Roosevelt. Rides take place several times a day and for more information you should call (307) 344 – 7311 or you can stop at the activities desk that any lodge throughout the park and they will be able to provide this information.

Any of the hotel dining rooms will have available the "Kids Activity Book". These books have games and activities, for instance there is a Yellowstone map sticker game that the children can complete and redeem prizes.

At the Old Faithful Visitor Center and the Canyon Visitor Education Center you can pick up self-guiding booklets for the Young Scientists Program. There is a nominal cost of $5 for the program which is designed for children ages five years and older. If they are successful in unraveling the scientific mysteries in the program they will receive a patch or a keychain.

If they want to learn about Yellowstone before their visit they can become a WebRanger. They need to visit the website nps.gov/webrangers. At this site they can take the WebRanger pledge – print out & sign their WebRanger membership card. They then complete all the activities in one "ranger station" for an award.

In addition there are many other Ranger–led activities that are designed for the young park visitors. Fun and educational films are shown daily at most visitor centers.

Without a doubt, there is plenty to keep your youngsters active and involved in Yellowstone. In the process of having fun in the National Park you may all be pleasantly surprised at how educational the trip has been.

JUST YELLOWSTONE

There are many many words and many many articles that have been written about Yellowstone National Park. I could go into a long dissertation about these photos. However, sometimes it is best to let the photos speak for themselves – and that is what I have chosen to do in this post. I hope you enjoy the pictures and that they give you some idea of the wonder, beauty, and magnificence that can be found in Our First National Park.

ENJOY!

Early Morning Mist Travels Across The Road

A Forest of Dead Trees 

Geyser Field In The Distance

The Steam Rises Near Grand Prismatic

A Left-Over From The First of '88

These photos are from own personal collection - all taken about a week ago.

WORK IN YELLOWSTONE FOR THE SUMMER

CLEANING UP OUR FIRST NATIONAL PARK

If you are looking for unique and different way to spend your summer – if you want to be in one of the most unique and beautiful places in this country of ours – then you should consider spending your summer months working in Yellowstone National Park.

The National Park Service does have seasonal jobs available not only in Yellowstone, but in most of the national parks in this country.

How do you find these jobs? One of the best resources that you can use is, of course, the Internet. Check out the website www.nps.gov. This site will allow you the opportunity to select the park you wish to work in. From my own personal experience, I have found that the best time to begin searching for these jobs would be in November or December of the year prior to the season that you want to work.

Also speaking from personal experience, there is seasonal housing available, at least in Yellowstone National Park. Please be aware that you will be charged a nominal fee for your housing for the season. You will be required to wear a uniform while you are working in the National Park. However, you will be given a clothing allowance by the government and they will direct you to the website where you may order your uniforms.

The variety of jobs that are available varies greatly, especially in Yellowstone. As you can see from the photo above, our National Park does require regular cleaning and trash removal.

I can promise you that working in Yellowstone for the season will be an experience you will never forget and probably one you will want to repeat.

SPORTS CAMP - WEST YELLOWSTONE

TIME FOR SPORTSCAMP

If you are in West Yellowstone during the week beginning June 24, 2013 - and - if you have children with you - stop by Pioneer Park and give the kiddos a chance to participate in the Annual Sports Camp.

The camp is at Pioneer Park from 9:00 a.m. until noon and is open for children ranging in age from 5 years on and up. Camp will be in progress Monday through Friday.

This camp is sponsored by the First Baptist Church and the leaders are members from the New Convenant Baptist Church located in Grass Valley,California.

It will give the kiddos something to do in the morning and mom and dad can get a few hours to themselves.

Hope to see you there.

WEST YELLOWSTONE SUMMER HAPPENINGS

PIONEER PARK - WEST YELLOWSTONE

The town park in West Yellowstone is Pioneer Park.  It consumes an entire city block.  There are swings and slides and other playground equipment for the kiddos - there are also covered picnic tables with bar-b-que grills.  In addition there is a very large grassy area in the park.  There is also a baseball diamond at the park.

During the winter - the city builds a large sledding hill in the park for the enjoyment of the town residents.  

In the summertime we have Music In The Park.  That program kicks off June 21 with a performance by Kennedy and the Assassins.  There will continue to be free music at the park throughout the summer.

In addition, the "Show and Shine" for the Yellowstone Rod Run will be held at the park.

Fourth of July will see lots of activity at the park with music  and Bar-B-Que by the local fire department.

In addition to that - three times this summer the First Baptist Church will host "Kidz in The Park" featuring games of all kinds - cotton candy - popcorn - hot dogs.

IN THE VOLCANO

A Portion of the Yellowstone Caldera Rim

Sometimes, when you are enjoying the beauty of Yellowstone and are busy looking for the elusive bear, wolf or moose - you tend to forget that you actually "in the volcano."

I snapped a photo of a portion of the Yellowstone Caldera Rim which I have posted above.

You see the geysers - hot pools - fumaroles - steam vents - mud pots - but you forget that you are actually inside the volcano that shaped this National Park.

COLLECTING THE FLAGS

West Yellowstone Boy Scouts Pick Up The Flags

I have already written about Flag Day in our little town.  I told you about the Boy Scouts of Troop # 602 placing flags at the homes and some of the businesses in our town on Flag Day - 4th of July - Memorial Day - Labor Day.

Each scout gets to place a flag in their own yard and all the churches in town get a flag placed - free of charge.

This is their only fund raising activity.  This year the Scouts placed 147 flags in our little town.

The funds from this program - (it will cost you $25.00 for the entire summer) - are used for merit badges, supplies and for their summer camp.

They started the program in 2001 with a total of 40 flags.  The program has now grown to 147.

Way to go Scouts.

YELLOWSTONE'S BISCUIT BASIN

Early Morning at Biscuit Basin

Pictured above is an early morning shot of Biscuit Basin in Yellowstone National Park. This is one of my favorite places in Yellowstone. There is a trail at Biscuit Basin that will lead you to the Old Faithful area.

My first – and probably only – cross-country ski trip was taken on this trail through Biscuit Basin – past Morning Glory Pool and on to the Old Faithful area.

It was several winters ago when my husband and I took a snow coach into Yellowstone. The snow coach driver dropped the two of us, our cross-country skis, a map, and instructions that said "we will be leaving Old Faithful at 3 PM – be there – or be left."

We had a wonderful time. Even though it was our first time on cross-country skis and even though we were not quite sure where we were going we had a fantastic time.

The trail was pretty much deserted and was quiet and peaceful and a beautiful sunshine winter day.

Along our route we came across a coyote who was lunching on a bison carcass. He paid very little attention to us and we did not bother him.

Just for the record – we did make it to Old Faithful in time to catch the snow coach back to West Yellowstone.

NORRIS GEYSER BASIN - HOTELS OF THE PAST

Norris Geyser Basin - Yellowstone National Park

Just a bit of history about hotels at some hotels of the past and Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone.

Four hotels were built at the Norris Geyser Basin from 1886 to 1901. The first one was built in 1886 but unfortunately it burned before they were able to open it.

Yet another rustic hotel was built to replace the original one that had burned but – it too burned.

In 1892, after two failed attempts, the third hotel was successful in opening for business.

The fourth hotel (and the last one) opened in 1901 overlooking  Porcelain Basin. Although this hotel did have 25 guest rooms, the main business conducted at this hotel was serving lunch to visitors on their way to Old Faithful. This hotel closed in 1917 and was raised in 1927.

HISTORIC AREAS IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Inn At Old Faithful - Yellowstone

Recently, my curiosity got the better of me. Living at the West Gate of Yellowstone National Park we are surrounded by history. There are many structures in our town that have been designated as being on the  National  Historic Register. That got me to wondering if there were designated historic areas inside the National Park. So, with the help of the good old Internet, I did some research and the following is what I discovered.

The National Register of Historic Places is administered by the National Park Service and does include the following properties in Yellowstone National Park.

Fort Yellowstone

Fishing Bridge Trailside Museum

Madison Junction Trailside Museum

Norris Geyser Basin Trailside Museum

Northeast Entrance Station

Obsidian Cliffs

Old Faithful Inn

Lake Fish Hatchery

Mammoth Hot Springs

North Entrance Road

Old Faithful area

Roosevelt Lodge

Lake Hotel

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

Obsidian Cliff Kiosk

Queen's Laundry Bath House

Post Office at Mammoth Hot Springs

 If you are a history buff – and if you enjoy visiting historic places – you will find more than enough to keep you occupied in Yellowstone National Park.

YELLOWSTONE TWINS

Mother Moose and her Twins

It is unusual to see moose around here - not impossible - just difficult.  It all boils down to being at the "right place" at the "right time."

For a couple of weeks I have been hearing stories about a mother moose and her twins in the Big Sky area.  Every time we drive to Bozeman I watch for them.  Until yesterday I had absolutely no luck seeing them.

Yesterday evening on the way back to West Yellowstone we were just past Big Sky - almost directly across from the Cinnamon Lodge - when there on the right hand side of the road - out in the field - was the mother and her twins.  The babies were having a great time running and playing.  Wish I had thought to take my video camera with me.  Unfortunately, these still shots are what you will have to make do.

THE TIME OUT CHAIR

It started out looking like this.  Sitting in a used furniture store in Bozeman, Montana.  My granddaughter saw it and thought it would make a good "Time Out" chair for her 2 1/2 and 1 1/2 year olds.  It sits low to the floor so the kiddos would be able to get up into it without any help. She did not buy the chair that day - but - a few days later when I was in Bozeman - I bought the chair for her.

Being the kind of a person who cannot leave well enough alone - I thought how cute it would be painted in the bright primary colors and made just a little special for two very special great grandchildren.  And so ---- it ended up looking like this.......

It is not a professional paint job - by any means - but - it was painted with a lot of love.  I am pretty sure my great grandchildren will never believe that one!!!!

P.S.  I told my granddaughter she had to pay me $1.00 for the chair so I could never be accused of buying the "Time Out" chair for those precious children!

THE ARNICA FIRE - YELLOWSTONE

THE AFTERMATH OF THE 2009 ARNICA FIRE

In September 2009 a fire was reported in Yellowstone National Park. This became known as the Arnica fire because of its location.   It was determined that lightning was the cause of this fire. The location of the fire was 5 miles west of the Bridge Bay Campground near the northwest shore of the lake.

The fire continued to spread and eventually approximately 230 people were called in to protect Lake Village and Bridge Bay.

It is estimated that the fire burned approximately 10,700 acres in the park.

As  frequently happens in Yellowstone, man is not the one who eventually puts out the fire – it is good old Mother  Nature who gets the job done.

It was actually the rain and the snow that got the fire under control and put it out.

Fortunately there was no loss of life in this fire. Fire is a necessity in our National Park. It actually regenerates the forests even though it has to destroy some of them first.

THE FOREVER RUNNING SPRING

The stream that you see in the photo above is located in the Gallatin Canyon between Bozeman and West Yellowstone. I have never been by this stream when it has not been running.

Summer, Spring, Winter, wet season, dry season – it does not seem to matter this little stream continues on its way down the side of the mountain. Amazingly, the flow of the stream does not seem to change much.  My suspicion is that it is fed by a mountain spring – but I do not know that for certain.

All I can tell you is that it does not freeze no matter how cold the weather gets in the wintertime. It does not seem to matter if we have not had rain for weeks – this little stream just continues to make its merry way down the mountainside.

Just one of the many unusual things you will see when you come to Yellowstone.

VISIT THE I-MAX IN WEST YELLOWSTONE

I-MAX THEATRE IN WEST YELLOWSTONE

 The IMAX Theatre in West Yellowstone is open for the summer season. They are currently showing three films – "Yellowstone" – "Alaska" – "Amazing Caves".

"Yellowstone" shows daily at 10 AM, 12, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 9 PM. this film allows you to discover the grizzlies, the geysers and the grandeur of our First National Park.

"Alaska" shows daily at 11, 3 and 7 PM.

This film is narrated by Charlton Heston and gives you

glance at a place where wildlife and not humans rule.

"Amazing Caves" shows daily at 1 and 5 PM.

 In this film you will discover the ice caves in Greenland, some underwater caves in the Yucatán and terrestrial caves in the Grand Canyon.

Prices are as follows:

Adults $9

Seniors $8.50 (60 and over)

Children $6.50 (4 – 12)

In addition to the theater you will also find a very nice gift shop in the building and here you can actually get a 50¢ ice cream cone.

PLEASE - BE BEAR AWARE

THE BEARS YELLOWSTONE

This post is a plea for you to please, please – when you are in Yellowstone – be "bear aware."  This request is made not only for your own safety but also for the safety of the bears.

As you can plainly see in the above photo, bears do not know how to read road signs nor do they understand the dangers that automobiles create for them.

Even if you are in a populated area of the park you still need to be "bear aware". A couple of weeks ago I was at the general store at Fishing Bridge in the park. As I was walking out of the store - with my peach ice cream -  on my way to my car I looked up and not 50 feet from me strolling through the parking lot was a grizzly bear. It obviously was a young one and obviously did not realize it was where it should not be.

The fact that you are in a populated or semi-populated area of the park does not mean that you might not encounter a bear.

Please remember – you are the visitor – the wildlife owns the park. Please respect them – please respect their habitat – please do your best to keep everyone safe by being "bear aware".

CELEBRATING FLAG DAY

CELEBRATE FLAG DAY

Today is Flag Day. Here in West Yellowstone we celebrate Flag Day. The Boy Scout Troop in town has come up with a very unique idea for fundraising.

Prior to Memorial Day the residents of this town receive a letter from the local Boy Scout Troop. In this letter they offer for a mere $25 to be sure that on Memorial Day – Flag Day – Independence Day and Labor Day there will be a flag installed in front of your house. They provide the temporary pole (which they install and remove each time they place your flag) and they provide the flag.

The Boy Scouts place the flags early in the morning, usually around 7 a.m., and later that evening probably about 7 p.m. they come back around and gather up all the flags.

You can get all this for a mere $25 a year. They are very reliable and very punctual about putting out the flags and then picking them up again that evening.

This probably would not work too well in a large city. However, if you live in a small town and one of your civic organizations is looking for a really neat and useful fundraiser – they might consider this flag program.

Hats off to the West Yellowstone Boy Scouts and their leaders. This program is definitely appreciated by the residents.

A WEST YELLOWSTONE MORNING

LOOKING TOWARD THE MOUNTAINS

Yesterday morning, June 15, 2013 and West Yellowstone started out with a bright blue sky – the white fluffy clouds and sunshine.

That is how it looked at about 6 o'clock in the morning. By 9 o'clock in the morning the skies had darkened and we were hearing thunder. 

The window in my office faces Grizzly Avenue and looks towards the mountains.  I happened to look out the window and the photo above shows the site that I saw.

It does not seem to matter here in West Yellowstone whether we are having bright sunshine – cloudy skies – snow – sleet or any of the other weather elements.

I always say – "a bad day in West Yellowstone beats a good day almost anywhere else in the world."

THE EMPTY NEST

THE EMPTY NEST

The picture above represents a pretty sad sight in Yellowstone National Park. For several years the Eagle's nest in this photo has been occupied by a nesting pair. Over the years, we have seen several eggs hatched in this nest.

For the past two years, the nest has remained empty. There is a great deal of speculation as to why the Eagle couple did not return to this nest. Perhaps one of them died – or perhaps they have found a more private place to raise their eaglets.

This nest was very close to the road that leads in from the west entrance to the park. Visitors who saw the nest would often stop in hopes of catching either the eagle parents on the nest or the eaglets poking their heads over the top of the nest. This is very distressing to the Eagles.

For several years the National Park Service would put up signs warning people not to stop – and most people obeyed the sign and respected the Eagles. However, there will always be a few who feel like the rules don't apply to them.

I truly hope that our eagle parents have found a more private place and that they continue to raise a family each year.

HOW CLOSE IS TOO CLOSE????

THIS IS TOOOOO CLOSE

 There is always the temptation when you're traveling through Yellowstone National Park and you see an animal either out in a meadow or, more importantly, close to the road, to grab your camera -  jump out and get as close as you can to get that so-called "perfect picture".

Upon entry into the Park, the Ranger at the gate that you enter from will give you a newspaper with information regarding the Park. In that newspaper you will find a section about the Yellowstone animals. It very plainly tells you that you are to stay a minimum of 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from all other large animals in the park.

The National Park Service is not trying to ruin your photo op. What they are trying to do is protect your life. It is a general rule that if you are in the vicinity of a large animal and that animal in any way acknowledges your presence (i. e., raises his head and looks at you )– – you are entirely too close.

I took the above photo last night on my way back out of the Park. These are just a few of the people that were in a very close proximity to this large bull elk. About two minutes after I pulled up and stopped, another bull elk equal in size to this fella came running across the road right through the midst of all the people that had congregated.

Fortunately, no one was injured but there was a great potential for an injury.

Please, if you just have to have that up close and personal photo of that bear, that wolf,  or any other animal in the park – do yourself and the animals a favor and before you come to the National Park go buy yourself a good telephoto lens. That way, you can get your up close picture -  you will be safe and the animals are protected.

THE RIGHT IDEA

 West Thumb – Yellowstone National Park

This elk has the right idea. She is grazing at a Yield sign at the West Thumb Junction in Yellowstone. Sometimes, when we are touring the Park, we get in such a hurry to get to the next place that we tend to kind of ignore road signs.

This not only endangers the other visitors to the park but it also endangers the permanent residents – the wildlife.

Trust me, the Park is not going anywhere. The thermal features, the lake and all the other attractions will be there when you get there.

The only exception is that the bear that is 10 miles up the road from you probably will be gone by the time you get there no matter how fast you drive or how many road signs you ignore.

The trick to seeing wildlife not only in Yellowstone but in other places is to be in the "right place" at the "right time".

Enjoy the park but do it safely for your own benefit, the benefit of the other visitors and especially – the benefit and safety of the wildlife. Okay

YELLOWSTONE WILDLIFE

TRUMPETER SWANS

 Thought I would share with you some of the wildlife photos that I took this morning on my way out of the park. You know, Yellowstone wildlife consist of more than bears and bison and elk and wolves.

Pictured above are a couple of trumpeter swans who were busily feeding in the Madison River.

There is also a picture of what I believe to be to Sandhill cranes. I am not really positive that these are sand hill cranes but I think they are.

Then you will see a picture on a lone bull bison in the middle of a field. At this time of year the bulls seem to become fairly solitary creatures, not traveling with the herd.

And then you will see a picture of what is often referred to as "Yellowstone's other wildlife" – the fly fisherman. For most of the summer this particular species – the fly fisherman – will be very prevalent and easy to find in the park.

Sand Hill Cranes

Solitary Bull Bison

Yellowstone's Other Wildlife
The Fly Fisher

MORNING TRAFFIC JAM IN YELLOWSTONE

AND THE TRAFFIC JAM BEGINS!

If you have heard anything at all about Yellowstone National Park, besides Old Faithful, you probably are familiar with something called an "buffalo jam". 

Well, I got into a  buffalo jam this morning on my way home. The photo above shows you the beginning of the buffalo jam. The photos below show you the progress, slow that it was, of the jam.

One lady in a car going the opposite direction from me rolled her window down and said to me "miles and miles of buffalo". My reply to her was "that is okay – it's their park".

This is just part of the "Yellowstone experience". The bison are never in a hurry and maybe when you are touring Yellowstone National Park – you should take a lesson from them. Take your time – enjoy the wildlife – enjoy the scenery – take plenty of pictures and video while you are there.

Sit back, relax and enjoy your time in Yellowstone.

And The Jam Approaches

In The Midst Of The Jam

Aftermath of The Jam

WHAT IS YELLOWSTONE?

What is Yellowstone? It is so much more than just the bears, wolves, bison and the other assorted wildlife that you might encounter there.

Do yourself a favor – do not overlook or take for granted the amazing scenery that you will see in Yellowstone. You will see sites in this Park that you will not see anywhere else in the world.

I spent the night at the Lake Area of the park last night and on my way back to town this morning I took the time to take some photos to share with you.

There is no way that these pictures do the scenery justice. These are sites that you need to see with your own eyes in order to be able to absorb the magnificence off this place God created.

Be sure your camera batteries are fully charged – that you have plenty of film or a brand-new card for your digital camera.

OPEN FIELD IN YELLOWSTONE

STEAM RISES BEHIND TREE

VIEW OF GRAND PRISMATIC

STEAM RISES BY RIVER

STEAM RISING IN EARLY MORNING

OPEN MEADOW AND STEAM 

GRAND PRISMATIC FROM ROAD

ONE OF MY FAVORITE SCENES