LIFE IN WEST YELLOWSTONE

THE ROAD TO BOZEMAN ON A WINTER DAY

When you make the decision to live in West Yellowstone 12 months out of the year - you do so with having learned and accepted several things.

1.  It is certainly one of God's most magnificent places on earth.

2.  The scenery cannot be duplicated.

3.  You are 100 miles from the nearest Wal-Mart

4.  Any type of major (or even slightly serious) medical necessities will mean a trip down the Gallatin Canyon to Bozeman or a trip to Rexburg, Idaho or Idaho Falls.

5.  There is one small pharmacy in West Yellowstone.

6.  Many of the restaurants and businesses will close around the first of October and will not open again until mid May - or later.

7. McDonalds has NO $1.00 menu and you cannot get a salad or ice cream there from October 1 until Mid May.

Having said all that - I can also tell you that living here is worth the trade offs.  

Some of the best - most generous and caring people I have ever met are full time - year around - residents of West Yellowstone, Montana.

Come on out and meet us. - Who knows?  Maybe you will decide to stay a while.

WEST YELLOWSTONE SUNSETS

There will not be a lot of posting on this page.  I just wanted to give you the opportunity to see a few of the marvelous and amazing sunsets that we are privileged to see here.  

The sunrises are equally spectacular - I just am very seldom up to take pictures of them.

Why don't you take the time to come and see them for yourself?

SNOW IN WEST YELLOWSTONE

SNOW OVERHANG AT THE CHAMBER

We are not getting as much snow this winter (so far) as we have had in past winters.  However, we do still get quite a bit. February and March will probably bring us quite a bit of the white stuff.  I certainly hope so - we have the Snowmobile Expo on schedule for mid March.

I thought you might enjoy seeing this picture of the snow overhang on the roof at the Chamber of Commerce building.

Lately we have been having absolutely no snow but - we have been having some amazingly beautiful days here.  Bright sunshine - clear skies and the wind has not been blowing a great deal.

If you do not like the weather here in West - just hang around for five minutes - it will probably change!

A WEST YELLOWSTONE CHRISTMAS

WEST YELLOWSTONE'S TOWN CHRISTMAS TREE

We most certainly do get into the Christmas Spirit here in West Yellowstone.  During the early part of December we have what is commonly known around here as "The Christmas Stroll and the Parade of Lights."

Local folks and businesses build floats - hang Christmas lights on their cars - trucks - snowmobiles - dog sleds and kids and march in the Parade.  Prizes for first, second and third place are awarded.  Santa arrives as the last entry in the parade.  He and Mrs. Santa usually arrive on the big fire truck.

After the parade is over - Santa and his Mrs. are taken to the corner of Madison and Canyon Streets where the tree is located.  At that time - Santa does the honor of lighting the tree for the town. (The town Christmas tree is also erected and lighted by the man who own the local hardware store.)

After that - the adults stroll thru the shops in town - most of which offer free snacks and drinks - and they shop and visit with friends. The kids go inside the Madison Crossing building where they get to talk to Santa and have their picture taken with him. 

While they are doing that - the local First Baptist Church (who have by this time undecorated their float and turned it into a hay ride) pick up the kids at Madison Crossing and take them (via the hay ride) over to the Bear's Den movie theatre where they are treated to a free movie which keeps them occupied and give their parents a chance to "stroll and eat and shop."

If you are planning to be here the early part of December you will not want to miss this event.  

PATRIOTIC CHRISTMAS

A PATRIOTIC  CHRISTMAS TRIBUTE

The scene above is what you will see this time of year at the West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Information Center.  

The Veteran's Memorial is only about two years old.  The first winter after the Memorial was completed and dedicated, the gentleman here in town who owns the local hardware store decided that we needed a patriotic Christmas display to honor all veterans.

He purchased the lights - had them installed and maintains them to insure that our memorial continues to honor not only our local veterans - but all veterans nationwide.

I hope you get a chance to see it when you are in our town in the Winter.  It is truly a spectacular sight to see.

ANOTHER VIEW OF THE MEMORIAL AT CHRISTMAS

THE BIG HORNS OF BIG SKY

BIG HORN SHEEP CROSS THE ROAD

In addition to the bison, elk, moose, bear and deer you are apt to see in and around Yellowstone you will also find Big Horn Sheep in the Yellowstone area.  There are places inside the National Park where you have a chance of seeing them.

Highway 191 that goes from West Yellowstone to Bozeman will take you thru Big Sky.  Just outside of Big Sky you will see a sign that indicates that Big Horn Sheep may be in the area.

Quite often they either cross the road or they come down to lick the minerals off of the highway surface.

Just be careful when you are traveling that road - the Big Horns do not know the "rules of the road".  I think they feel like they were first and we are the intruders.

WEST YELLOWSTONE WINTER ROADS

SNOW PLOW CLEARING THE ROADS

We see a lot of these in and around West Yellowstone.  Bear in mind - West Yellowstone is basically 100 miles from anything.  The nearest Wal-Mart is 100 miles away from here.

The state and the county do a fantastic job of making sure that our highways are passable. You will need to exercise some caution in your winter driving but - you can get around. Our city crews also do a great job of maintaining the streets in town.  The town streets are always snow covered in the winter for the convenience of the snowmobilers and skiers.

Snow does not slow down the "locals".  We go to church - go to work - go to Bozeman and Idaho Falls - go out to eat in the local establishments that are open.  Some days it just takes a little longer to get there.

Many of our business establishments close the first to end of October and open again sometime in April or May.

Come on out - you will love it here!

THE FROZEN FALLS IN YELLOWSTONE

FROZEN GRAND CANYON OF THE YELLOWSTONE

Here is a different look of the falls at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.  Please do not ask me if this is the Upper or Lower Falls.  I can't seem to keep them straight in my mind!

About all I can tell you is that no matter whether you see them in the winter, summer, spring or fall - they are absolutely magnificent.

Believe it or not - the water under the frozen falls is still running full blast.

Yellowstone is a place like no other place on earth.  The wonders you will see here are absolutely mind boggling.  Be sure to bring your camera - plenty of film or supplies for your digital camera.  Be sure you charge your batteries - both in your camera and in yourself.  You are going to be amazed by what you see.

Let me warn you though - no photo can ever truly capture the magnificence of our First National Park.

Come and see for yourself.  Make your own memories.

THE SNOWY ELK OF YELLOWSTONE

Elk In Snow In Yellowstone

This photo will give you just a small glimpse of what you may very well see if you come to Yellowstone National Park in the winter time.  

The elk often choose to travel on the roads in the park during the winter offering excellent opportunities for some amazing photos for your album.  When the snow in the meadows begins to accumulate the elk quite often take the easy method of travel - on the groomed roads in the park.

We do not often see elk outside the park boundaries like we do the bison.

You can go into the park either by snowmobile in a guided group - or you may elect to take the snow coach - which is also guided.

No matter what method of travel you decide on, you are in for an amazing journey and some unbelievable sights.

Come on out - what are you waiting for?

ICE FISHING - WEST YELLOWSTONE

O.K. folks - the NAIFC ice fishing tournament is getting underway January 17 - 19, 2014 at Hebgen Lake which is about 8 miles north of West Yellowstone.

 There are activities for all ages.  A few of the highlights are:

This is a National Qualifier for the NAIFC (North American Ice Fishing Circuit).  The qualifier takes place on Sunday and is open to any two-person team.  Pre-registration tells us that there are teams coming from nine different states.  The top ten fishing teams will will receive an invitation to the 2014 NAIFC National/North American Championship to be held in Mille Lacs Lake, McQuoids Resort, Isle, MN in December of 2014.

The kids have not been left out.  The free and open activities include a Kid's Ice Fishing Camp where they learn from the pro's and each child that participates will take home their own ice fishing rod set-up.  

There is also a free indoor Cabela's Kids Ice Camp which starts with a tutorial that covers safety, equipment, bait and jigging styles  and then they are taken out on the ice for more hands-on instruction. This starts at 1:00 p.m. and is followed by ice fishing on Hebgen Lake until 3:00 p.m. with NAIFC Pro Staff.  There will be free hot dogs and hot chocolate for all kids starting at 12:30 p.m.

If you have never tried ice fishing now is your golden opportunity.  Come on out.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A SPECIAL LITTLE GIRL

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER

My postings the end of this week and first part of next week will be very few and very far between.

Next Friday I am headed to the airport for a flight to Cortez, Colorado.  I am going to help my great granddaughter celebrate her 2nd birthday.  I was not able to be there for her first and do not want to miss this one.

I hope you can understand how very important this is to me.  When your family lives far away - especially your great grandchildren - it is very important that you do everything you can in order to remain part of their lives.

I generally go down in August for the great grandson's birthday and his sister deserves the same time and attention from me.

I do not want them to not know their Mema.  I want to keep that connection very active and be as much a part of their lives as I can be living over 700 miles away from them.

Normally, I would make the 12 hour drive but - this being winter and the weather being so uncertain - I have decided that flying is my best option this time.

Bear with me - I will be back and I will be posting.

In the meantime - HAPPY BIRTHDAY GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER.  I LOVE YOU.

YELLOWSTONE'S ANIMALS IN WINTER

BOBCAT IN YELLOWSTONE

I do not know who took this photo - I "borrowed" it from a posting on Facebook.  This is the bobcat that tourists have been seeing in Yellowstone National Park this winter.  He was  spotted several times last winter in the area of 7 mile bridge.  I do not know where in the park this photo was taken.  Many thanks to whoever took this photo and allowing me to share it.

You will see elk and bison in the park during the winter.  If you are lucky, we might get to see the river otter at play.

On occasion, you get to see wolves or possibly this bobcat.  It all depends on being in the "right place" at the "right time."

Come on out this winter and maybe you will be lucky enough to see this resident of Yellowstone National Park.

SNOW OR FIRE - WHAT IS YOUR CHOICE?

A SNOWY FOREST

The scene in the picture above could well have been taken in the National Forest around West Yellowstone.  However, I do not know the actual location where this was taken.

We are getting some snow - but not nearly enough.  I judge the amount of snowfall by a couple of tree stumps that are out behind our house.  Many winters I have seen those stumps completely covered by the snowfall.  This year, however, I can still see at least half of those stumps.

Why do we want lots and lots of snow?  The answer is simple - we either get tons of snow in the winter or we spend the summer worrying about fire.  Given my choice - I will take lots and lots of snow rather than having to face fire in the summer.

Snow or fire - those are the choices you live with when you live near Yellowstone National Park.

ALL PART OF THE FUN

STUCK 

Part of the fun of snowmobiling in the National Forest that surrounds West Yellowstone is the adventure of getting stuck and the fun of getting un-stuck.

I never snowmobile without a guide because part the job of the guide is to dig you out when you get stuck.

If you have snowmobiled for a day and have  not gotten stuck - you really haven't had any fun.

Come on out - there are lots of businesses in town that rent snowmobiles - snowmobile clothing (so you do not have to tote a bunch of snowmobile clothing) and they have guides.

Come out and make the trip into the National Forest.  Spend the day seeing sights that you cannot see any way except by snowmobile in the winter or horseback in summer.

We are waiting to greet you. 

A MORNING'S WORK OUT

(Photo courtesy of Jan & Steve Stoddard)

It has been snowing almost all day here in West Yellowstone.  The temperature is 30 degrees at 3:53 p.m.

The picture above is what you will be seeing all over town tomorrow morning as the local folks prepare to go to work.

There is one thing about living here - temperatures with a minus in front of them - blowing snow - and large snowdrifts do not slow the "locals" down very much.

This is just part of the deal if you want to live in one of the most beautiful places on earth - West Yellowstone, Montana. I would venture to guess that there are very few homes in this town that do not own a snow blower.  It certainly makes life easier.

There are the days when the sky is overcast but there are also the days with the bright blue Montana sky - big fluffy white clouds - a gorgeous fresh snowfall on the ground and a beautiful sun shining on it all.  And that is why we live here.

DREAMING OF SUMMER

WEST YELLOWSTONE FIREWORKS

The above photo is courtesy of Jan Stoddard who lives here in West Yellowstone.

If you live here - you are already dreaming of summer and warmer days.

The snow is beautiful and you will see sights here in the winter that you will see nowhere else in the entire world.

There is nothing like a winter night with fresh snowfall and a big bright full moon shining.  It is truly a winter wonderland and a magnificent sight.

A trip to West Yellowstone in the winter is something you really should put on your "Bucket List."

BLOW THAT SNOW!!!

A COMMON SIGHT IN OUR TOWN

The big snow blower in this picture could well be on the streets of West Yellowstone.  

When the snow piles up on our streets the city makes a berm down the middle of the street - then they come along with a huge snowblower and dump trucks.  The trucks drive down the street a little behind the blower and the blower fills them with snow!

The strangest sight I had to get used to seeing living here was seeing dump trucks loaded with snow!

They usually haul the snow to the old airport where they dump it in preparation for the Snowmobile Expo which takes place in mid March.

They use the snow to build the race tracks and they also use it to build bleachers for the spectators.

It is quite a sight to see.

WATCH WHERE YOU WALK

AND - DOWN I GO

All my good of intentions of posting on a more regular basis did not "go up in smoke" - they went "down on the ice."

A few weeks ago I was coming out of the Post Office and the next thing I knew - I was flat on my back and in pain.  My feet went out from under me and down I went.

Fortunately, I did not break a hip.  I landed on the flat of my back and it is still giving me trouble weeks later.

A trip to the doctor and some x-rays show that I had not broken anything - thank goodness.

It has, however, caused me to change the way I walk and sit and stand.

This too shall pass - I just have to be patient - which is not a virtue I possess.

RIDING THE POLAR EXPRESS

THE POLAR EXPRESS

If you have never ridden the Polar Express - may I highly recommend you put it on your "bucket list."

This year we took two of our great grandchildren and their parents on the Polar Express out of Durango, Colorado.

I was not familiar with the story so we bought the DVD and watched it.  It is quite a story.

The trip did not disappoint.  It stayed true to the story and the kids had their hot chocolate served by our own singing chef.  They had their cookies.  We rode the train from Durango to the North Pole where we picked up Santa and his elves.

Santa visited every car on the train and talked to every child.  Each child received their "Polar Express bell" from Santa's elf.

We were in the glass dome car.  The seats were very comfortable.  The Christmas light display at the North Pole was amazing.

After the ride was over - the kids went to the museum where they sat on Santa's lap and give him their list of "wants" for Christmas.

The Polar Express is in many cities in this country.  Find one that is close to you - spend the money - and make some memories.

I was a little surprised at the number of adults who were on the trip without any children.  Guess that just goes to prove that we are all really children at heart when it comes to Christmas.

NEW YEAR - NEW BEGINNING

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL

May the New Year bring you health, happiness, peace, love, joy and and a closer relationship with your friends, family, co-workers and - most of all - your Lord and Savior.

This world seems to be going full speed in the wrong direction - but - I am noticing on Facebook that there recently are a lot more posts concerning faith and a relationship with the Lord.

Maybe we are beginning to realize that those of us who have a relationship with Him need to stop being the "silent minority" and begin making our voices heard.

Everyone needs to know the Lord and the joy of a relationship with Him - but - how will they know unless someone tells them?  Are you the one who needs to tell them?  Think about it.

A YELLOWSTONE WINTER

A CABIN IN THE SNOW

If my house were not in the town of West Yellowstone but, rather, out in the woods - this could well be a photo of it.

The snow on our roof is beginning to accumulate.  I have seen winters when we have had six feet plus on top of the house.  The first thing I did was call the insurance company to verify that we are covered for "snow load".

Some people in town remove the snow from their roofs a couple of times a year.  We do not do that because my husband is a heart by-pass patient and the last thing I need is for him to be on top of the house shoveling the snow off!!

However, the builders in this area are very familiar with the amount of snow that we receive here in West Yellowstone and they construct their buildings - both residential and commercial - with that in mind.

Right now the snow in our back yard is waist deep.  I know this because I have to walk out and clean off the satellite dish!

If you come to visit during the winter - please remember to dress for our quickly changing weather.  Never go outside without your hat, gloves, boots and heavy coat.