RUNNING OUT OF ROOM IN WEST YELLOWSTONE

Today is Friday, February 28, 2014.  Here in West Yellowstone the snow has been falling all morning.  Judging from the weather forecast - it is just beginning.

This presents somewhat of a problem for the city as well as for the local residents. That problem is - where in the world are we going to put it?

As you can see from the photo above - we are running out of room to stack the new white stuff!

In about 2 1/2 months you will be seeing bare ground.  The street will no longer have several inches of snow on it but will be back to bare asphalt.

Hard to believe - isn't it?

NOW THAT IS A JADE PLANT!!!

JADE PLANT ON STEREOIDS

Our local chiropractor can do many things.  He is an excellent chiropractor - he is a hockey player - he is a hunter and he is an overall nice person.

Judging from the photo above he is also excellent at growing jade plants.  I have never in my life seen a jade plant this big.  It is not only big - and getting bigger - it is extremely healthy.

I have asked him what his secret is and he says water it once a week and then ignore it.

Whatever he does as far as growing plants - he needs to keep it up.

WEST YELLOWSTONE ROOF SNOW REMOVAL

THAT IS ONE WAY TO GET THE SNOW OFF THE ROOF

Everyone has their own method for removing snow from their roofs.  When you have 3 or 4 feet of snow on top of your roof - you have a lot of weight bearing down on the structure.  Houses and commercial buildings in West Yellowstone are all constructed with that fact in mind.  Even at that  - some people still prefer to remove the majority of snow from the roof periodically during the winter.

Some people make sure their roof has a decent pitch and they put on a metal roof.  The snow will then just slide off  when it gets heavy enough.

Some people climb up on the roof and shovel the snow off.  Others get a roof rake and take off as much as they can reach while still standing on the ground

The local pizza parlor - The Gusher - has a unique solution.  Since their building has a flat roof they simply keep a gas powered snow blower setting on top of the building.  Then, when they need to remove the snow, they just climb up and fire up the snowblower and clear it off.

I have seen a lot of people do what the man in the photo above is doing.  You take a saw up on the roof and saw the snow into blocks.  Then you maneuver the blocks to the edge of the roof and shove them off.

Whatever works for you!

OH YES - WEST YELLOWSTONE HAS SNOW

PARKING LOT AT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Hidden behind that wall of snow at the far end of the Chamber of Commerce parking lot is the site where the Smokejumper Cabin and historic Madison Ranger Station are located.  They are at Dunbar Park here in town. They were moved to that location last summer.

The big snow berm is a result of the town clearing the Chamber parking lot.  They have to put the snow somewhere.  I am guessing that in the next couple of weeks we will see the big city snowblower and the dump trucks come and and remove this berm and haul it to the old airport where it will become a race track - jumps for the aerials or possibly even the snow bleachers for the spectators at the upcoming World Snowmobile Expo.

As you can tell from the picture - the parking lot is never taken back down to the asphalt during the winter.  This is so the snowmobilers can drive across it.  We will not see asphalt in the parking lot for 3 or 4 more weeks.

HERE IS WHERE THE SNOW GOES

A DUMP TRUCK FULL OF SNOW

AND THIS IS WHERE THE SNOW ENDS UP

Once a dump truck is filled with snow here in West Yellowstone, they head to the west end of town to a site known locally as "the old airport".  This is the site where the original airport for West Yellowstone was located.  It is at the very edge of town across from Iris Street and adjacent to Highway 20.

The airport was relocated to a site along Highway 191 north of town several years ago.

They dump the snow here but not just for storage.  In Mid-March the Annual Snowmobile Expo comes to town.  This event requires places for snowmobile races and aerial stunts to take place.

The snow that is removed from the berms along our city streets is transported here and then the city fashions race tracks - jumps for aerial exhibitions and even bleachers for the spectators.

WIDENING WEST YELLOWSTONE WINTER STREETS

CITY SNOWBLOWER 

LOADING UP THE DUMP TRUCK

By this time of the year, our city streets have become considerably narrower due to all the snow piled up along the sides.  The city periodically widens the streets by removing some of the side line berms.

This is accomplished with the big city snow blower and several dump trucks.  The blower goes along the side of the street and the dump truck drives along beside the blower.  The end result is a dump truck full of snow and much wider city streets.

This process will be repeated several times during the winter months.

What do they do with the snow once it is in the dump truck?  Check out the next post to find the answer.

MOVE THAT SNOW!

Here in West Yellowstone we do not put our leaf blowers away when winter comes.  We make them do double duty.

The snow here is often very dry and powdery.  When we have a small amount of new snowfall we simply fire up the leaf blower and blow the stuff off the drive!

As you can see in the photo above (I apologize for the poor quality of the photo) there is a lot of snow surrounding our driveway.  

Look at the snow on the roof of the house across the street. There is a very nice fence in front of that house but it is now covered by feet of snow.

Like snow????? Come on out - we have plenty and we are willing to share!

WEST YELLOWSTONE TORNADO?????

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THIS?????

You just never know what you are likely to see when you look at the sky here in West Yellowstone.  

This morning, on my way to the bank, I happened to look up and the clouds in the photo above are what I saw.  I just had to take a picture of it.

I imagine what appears to be a funnel in this photo is actually a jet trail.  Coming from Arkansas and tornado alley - I was immediately reminded of a tornado funnel when I saw this.

I know it was not a tornado - but - you have to admit it is a bit unusual.

GROOMING THE WEST YELLOWSTONE TRAILS

SNOW PILES UP AS THE GROOMER ROLLS ON

GROOMING THE BIG SKY TRAIL BY MOONLIGHT

For several years I have been tinkering with the idea of riding on one of the big groomers on the Big Sky Trail.  The groomers are used to keep the snowmobile trails in the National Forest groomed so that the visiting snowmobile buffs will have smooth riding.

The groomers run at night.  Last Sunday night I met up with one of the groomers - climbed in the cab - and rode along while he groomed the Big Sky Trail.  I had heard about this trail but had no idea where it was or where it went.  Now I know.

There are some pretty awesome hills on this trail.  Riding in the groomer was amazing.  The snow piles up in front of the blade as you drive along at a speedy 3 to 5 miles an hour.  It forms a roll and begins to unroll itself right in front of you.  It almost looks like a roll of carpet that you are laying down on the trail.

It was a beautiful night will a big full moon.  You can see the moon in the bottom photo above.  It was very warm and the seats in the groomer are very comfortable.

Thanks to my driver for putting up with this old lady and giving me an experience I will never forget.

WEST YELLOWSTONE REALLY BIG WEEKEND COMING UP

This coming weekend is the time you need to be in West Yellowstone.  There is so much going on in town that you need to be sure you are all rested up before you get here.  Once you are in town - you are going to be busy busy busy all weekend.

The fourth "S'mores, Skating and Sledding" will be underway Saturday evening beginning at 6:00 p.m. and continuing until 9:00 p.m. at Pioneer Park.

The fun continues into Monday with the ever popular "Snowcoach Samplers".  This is for kids, parents, grandparents and great grandparents.  There is something for everyone.  Check out www.kidsnsnow.org website for the full details and schedule of events.

Spam Cup #3 and Taste of the Trails happen on Saturday.  Sunday brings Biathlon Cup #3.  Get more information about the skis events at www.rendezvousskistrails.com.

Come on out.  It is a weekend filled with fun for the whole family.

WEST YELLOWSTONE WINTER BEAUTY

ICICLES HANG FROM THE SNOW OVERHANG

SNOW OVERHANG AT THE CHAMBER 

                                                            ONE REALLY BIG ICICLE

On my way in to the Chamber of Commerce this morning I saw this amazing snow overhang and these really big icicles that have formed during the last few days.

Scenes like this are normal and every day for those of us who live here in West Yellowstone.  Sometimes I think we fail to see the beauty that surrounds us living here.  Often during the winter we are too busy complaining about the howling wind and blowing snow that we forget to "stop and smell the roses" - or - in this case - "stop and admire the beauty of God's handiwork".

Yes - we have lots of snow to deal with and yes - we have many days of below zero temperatures.  We also have beautiful bright blue Montana skies filled with beautiful white fluffy clouds.  We have the mountains around us that are snow capped for much of the year.

We deal with living with the extreme temperatures and we deal with traveling on snow covered roads.  We also deal with the beauty and magnificence that God has blessed this world with.

Why do we continue to live here?  Quite honestly - I cannot think of anyplace else on this earth that I would rather live.

Come out and see for yourself.

SO---YOU NEED TO CLEAN SNOW OFF THE DISH?????

PARTIAL VIEW OF PATH FROM HOUSE TO SATELLITE DISH

CLOSE UP OF PATH AND DISH

If you need to clean the snow off of the satellite dish at this house - you will need a shovel - gloves and boots and your winter coat.  Although our satellite dish is relatively close to the house - getting to it in the winter time can be quite a challenge.

As you can see in the photos above - the path that my husband dug to the dish a few days ago has partially filled in - thanks to the blowing snow and the additional snowfall we have had lately.

Snow does not slide off the dish as easily as one might think.  You have to get your coat, boots, gloves and shovel and dig your way out to it.  You can either do that - or - you can do without your television until the sun warms the dish enough to let the snow slide off!

I am just thankful that the dish is not on top of the house!!!

WEST YELLOWSTONE SNOW JUST GETS DEEPER AND DEEPER!

USING THE SNOW BLOWER NEXT TO THE BERM

SOMETIMES IT TAKES A SHOVEL AND MANUAL LABOR

Sometimes you can clear the drive with the trusty snowblower and then again - sometimes it just takes the old reliable snow shovel and lots of manual labor to get it back to the bare concrete!

There is a standing joke among my neighbors that I have the only driveway in town that is bare concrete all year long!  That is partially true and it is all thanks to the hard working husband I have.

I must say it is nice not to have ice building up in the tracks where I drive my car in and out of the garage.

Some people in town think we have a heated driveway.  I can tell you for sure - if I were building a home here in West Yellowstone - I would spend the money to heat the drive!!!!!

Notice the height of the berm at the side of the drive!  It will continue to grow for the next month or so.  In a few months I will be fighting the dandelions where the snow berm is now!

HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN HERE TOO LONG?

JUST A PRETTY WINTER SCENE OUTSIDE YELLOWSTONE

How do you know you have spent several winters in West Yellowstone?  The answer is quite simple.  When you think that 26 degrees is warm!  After several days of temperatures in the - 50's and - 40's then 26 degrees - with the sun shining on you - could be considered a "short shirt sleeve" day!

If it continues to snow - which we need - we are going to have to figure out where to put the snow when we clean the driveway.

Right now the berms on both sides of the drive are so tall that you have difficulty seeing any oncoming traffic when you are backing out of the drive.

We also have tons of "lost" snowmobilers traveling down our street.  They miss the turn off two blocks up that will take them to the trail in the National Forest.  They go down our street to the curve and then discover that they are lost and here they come back again!

WEST YELLOWSTONE - DO WE HAVE SNOW?????

THE BACK OF THE PARKING LOT AT THE MARKET PLACE

Thought you might like to see what our snow looks like here in West.  The above photo is a picture of the back of the parking lot at the local grocery store.  The snow piles are a result of the the parking lot being cleared so customers can drive in.

SIDEWALK AT THE EXPLORER CABINS ON GRIZZLY AVENUE

I hope this photo give you a small idea of how deep the snow can get here.  This is the sidewalk leading up to one of the Explorer Cabins on Grizzly Avenue.  There are 50 of these cabins and they are rental units. You can rent them winter or summer.

Come on out and play in the snow!!! It is an experience like no other and one you will never forget.

HE CAN "BEARLY" STAND THE COLD

THE GRIZZLY IN THE MIDDLE OF CANYON STREET

This grand gentleman stands in the middle of Canyon Street in West Yellowstone, Montana.  I cannot begin to tell you how many people stop and have their photo taken with him.  He is there year around - thru the summer and thru the winter.

As you can see from this photo - he obviously has caught a cold - judging from the icicle hanging from his nose!   As I have already said - he can "bear-ly" stand the -50 degrees.

WHAT DOES -50 LOOK LIKE AT 7:30 A.M.

THE VIEW DOWN MY STREET AT 7:30 A.M.   - 50 DEGREES

Have you ever wondered what -50 degrees looks like at 7:30 a.m.?  Then you should have been in West Yellowstone, Montana this morning.  I am posting three photos that I took on my way to work this morning.  The first two are are views looking down my street toward town.

The last one is looking down Canyon Street which is the main street in town.

YET ANOTHER VIEW OF THE STREET

THIS IS A VIEW OF CANYON STREET LOOKING SOUTH

Sorry you were not here to share the joy!!!  It did not get a lot warmer during the day.  At 4:30 p.m. it is a balmy 3 degrees!

BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!!!!

The temperature is what you might refer to as COLD and I mean COLD.  The temperature here this morning was - 26 degrees - and baby that is COLD.

Below are pictures of the snow in my yard and on top of the house.  I have also posted a picture of my back yard.

If you like cold weather - come on out.  We've got it here!!!!

YELLOWSTONE DOG SLED RACES

WEST YELLOWSTONE GOES TO THE DOGS

Last Sunday, February 2, 2014, the town of West Yellowstone welcomed and then bid farewell to the racers in the International Pedigree Stage Stop Dog Sled Races.

Years ago the race began on Yellowstone Avenue here in West Yellowstone.  Over the years the event was moved to the old airport on Iris Street at the west edge of the town.

However, this year - thanks to the efforts of local mushers and the cooperation of the town - the dog sled teams began their race on Yellowstone Avenue once again.  The town created lanes on Yellowstone Avenue for the mushers and teams to begin their race.

The 100th anniversary of this race is coming up and I believe next year 2015 will be the 100th anniversary.

In checking records on the internet I have become a bit confused about the date but - based on what I have been told by some of our locals - I believe next year will be the 100th anniversary.

Be that as it may - it was nice to see the town come together and make it possible for the teams to once again use Yellowstone Avenue as their beginning point for this race.

YELLOWSTONE SNOWSHOEING

WHY NOT SNOWSHOE?

Come to West Yellowstone, Montana and while you are here why not join a Yellowstone Park Range for a Snowshoe Walk for a short distance into Yellowstone National Park.  You might be amazed at what you can learn about the winter ecology of Yellowstone.

These Snowshoe Walks with a Yellowstone Park Ranger are offered on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. and will continue to be offered thru March 9, 2014.

This is a 2 mile walk into Yellowstone along the Riverside Trail.  Meet at the West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center located at the corner of Yellowstone Avenue and Canyon Street in West Yellowstone.

Bring your snowshoes - no experience is necessary.  Also bring water and a snack as this is a 3 hour experience.

Don't have snowshoes????? You can rent them in West Yellowstone from the following establishments:

Bud Lilly's Trout Shop  30 Madison Avenue  Hours are 9 am to 6 pm Thurs - Monday

Free Heel & Wheel 40 Yellowstone Avenue  Mon-Sat 9 am to 6 pm  Sunday 9 am- 5 pm

Yellowstone Alpen Guides  555 Yellowstone Avenue 8 am - 8 pm daily

FRUSTRATED!!!!

I am just a bit frustrated at the way 2014 has started out for me. 

First - I fell at the post office - and I mean fell.  Up went the feet and down went the body.  Thankfully - a trip to the doctor and some x-rays later it was determined that nothing got broken but the doctor said that had I landed any other way I would have had a broken hip.  

Next it was a strange staph infection that showed up out nowhere.  That led to 2 plus weeks of fairly strong antibiotics.  Thankfully - the infection has subsided and that is on the way to recovery.

Then it was a raging case of diarrhea which kept me away from work for a day and which I am still in the process of recovering from.

All this has led to my lack of keeping my intention of posting every day to this blog.

Hopefully - in the days ahead - the health situation is going to take a big turn for the better and I can get back to my posting on a regular basis.

WEST YELLOWSTONE FOR THE KIDS

GET THE SCHEDULE  www.kidsnsnow.org

Are you curious about what your kids can do when you come to West Yellowstone in the winter?  Go to www.kidsnsnow.org and check out the February schedule of activities

Just a few of these are :

SCAVENGER HUNT- Pick up your clues at the West Yellowstone Visitor's Center - then visit the local establishments and take photos of the items your clues list has led you to.  Once you have finished - show them to the coordinator by 2 p.m. on Sunday to get your prize.

"FREE" BIRDS OF PREY PRESENTATION - Located at the West Yellowstone Visitors Center - 30 Yellowstone Avenue - join a naturalist from the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center for a presentation which features a live raptor.

"FREE" GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST WINTER SHOW SHOE PROGRAM - Just for kids (parents may come along) - join a Forest Service guide for a 1 hour program which is designed for kids and beginners.  Meet at the Boundary Trailhead located 1 mile north of West Yellowstone along the east side of Highway 191 (this is the truck pullout).  Children age 6 and under are asked to bring an adult with them.  Either bring your own snowshoes or they are available for rent at Freeheel and Wheel, Bud Lilly's and Yellowstone Alpen Guides.

"FREE" KIDS ICE FISHING CAMP - Located at Kirkwood Resort and Marina Boathouse 8.2 miles north of the town of West Yellowstone.  In-class as well as on-ice  fishing tutorials by experienced professionals and local fisherman.  Kids who sign up and participate receive complimentary ice rods and tackle.  They must be accompanied by an adult and be dressed for an outside adventure.  **NOTE** only 25 slots are available.  Pre register on the contact page of www.kidsnsnow.org website.

"FREE" KIDS M120 SNOWMOBILE RIDES - Located a Pioneer Park at the corner of Gibbon Avenue and Dunraven Street.  Kids 6 to 11 can try out a child size Arctic Cat/Yamaha M120 Snowmobile.  The track is set up for a slow and safe ride.  All children must be accompanied by an adult and the adult must sign a release of liability.  It is recommended that participants wear snow boots and gloves.  Helmets are provided.

There is also S'mores - Skating and Sledding at the Pioneer Park.

These are just a few of the activities.  For a full schedule of events including times and places visit www.kidsnsnow.org.