JUST A PRETTY PICTURE

MARCH SNOW STORM AFTERMATH IN WEST YELLOWSTONE

Yeah - we complain about the snow.  We whine and wonder when it is going to melt - but - we also take time to wonder at the beauty that it brings to our town and this entire area.

They say the seasons in West Yellowstone consist of the summer season from May through the end of September - Winter from October through the end of February and then comes the WHINING SEASON that lasts from March first until the first of May - or until the snow has all melted!

I guess that is true.  No one forces us to live here year around.  We choose to do it with the understanding that we are 100 miles from the nearest Wal-Mart and the nearest hospital.  We know that we will be paying tourist prices all year long.  We know that for a couple of months a year the majority of our restaurants and shops will be closed.  We know that - come summer - we will be inundated with hundreds and hundreds of tourists coming to enjoy our First National Park.

We are rewarded with scenery that exists no other place in the world.  We see some of the most amazing sun rises and sunsets that can be seen anywhere.

Can it be inconvenient to live here - of course it can.  Do the rewards off-set the disadvantages?  They most certainly do.

Come and see for yourself.  You may not want to leave either.

A YELLOWSTONE SUNSET

WEST YELLOWSTONE SUNSET AT THE OLD AIRPORT

It may be almost April and we may still be buried under feet and feet of snow here in West Yellowstone - but - we still have the beauty that shines here as witnessed by the above photo.

I took this photo at the west edge of town across from the Old Airport.  Quite often - if you are observant - you will be able to see one of these amazing sites.  Keep your camera handy - they do not last that long and you do not want to miss capturing it on film.

The photo above almost looks like something that has been photo shopped or re-touched.  I assure you - I took this photo with my phone and it has not been altered or re-touched in any way.

So - if you ever wonder why we stay here during the winter and put up with the -50 degree temperatures - the wind and the deep and blowing snow - well - the photo above should satisfy your curiosity.

EARTHQUAKE IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

NORRIS GEYSER BASIN - YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Phones calls - text messages - e mails - notifications on Facebook --- All this has been going on the last two days.  It seems that on March 30 a 4.8 magnitude earthquake hit Yellowstone National Park  at Norris Geyser Basin.

There seems to be some mis-information out there from somewhere that the town of West Yellowstone was hard hit.  I live just a few blocks from the West entrance to the park.  I personally did not feel the tremors.  A few people in town say they felt it but - as far as I know - there was no damage done in town.

Have heard rumors that some canned goods were knocked off the shelves at the grocery store.  I do not have any verification of that.

Anyway - to all those friends and family that have called - sent a text or contacted us in any other way to find out if we are o.k. - I thank you and - Yes - we are fine.

DOWN COMES THE TOWN TREE

THE TREE WAS UP

AND NOW IT COMES DOWN!

Well - we may still be buried in snow here In West Yellowstone but there are some signs that Spring cannot be too far away.  The Annual World Snowmobile Expo is over and most of the snowmobilers have left town.  A lot of the restaurants and businesses in town that had opened for the Expo have now closed for the next month.  Not to worry - come May they will begin to re-open in preparation for the upcoming summer season.

Greg Forsythe and the crew at Westmart Building Center are the ones that erect and decorate the town Christmas Tree every year and they are the ones that are willingly take on the responsibility for taking it down again.

It is a little sad on one hand to see the tree removed but that does signal that we are sure that the snow will eventually be all gone and Spring will make her appearance.

In a few short weeks all this white stuff will be gone and forgotten as we look forward with anticipation to the arrival of the first summer visitors.

That is how life cycles here in West Yellowstone.

DO I REALLY NEED TO WATCH T.V. THAT BADLY???

 

Okay - I know it is March 31, 2014.  The photos above were taken on March 29, 2014.  I have posted pictures before of the satellite dish in the back yard and there was one that showed the path that had been dug to the dish earlier in the winter.

Well - needless to say - that path needed some serious clearing out after the snows we got on Friday night and Saturday.

If you ever wondered just how much snow can accumulate in our back yard in a few short days - the pictures above give you the answer.  As you can see - it is almost to the bottom of the satellite dish.

Of course - this comes just as March Madness is getting into full swing!!!  Your options are  (1) dig your way out to the dish and clean it off - or - (2) do not watch t.v.  The last one is not an option with March Madness going on!

Why not use the snowblower?  That answer is really simple.  There is so much snow in the back yard that it is impossible to get the snow blower out there.  Anyway - even if we could get the thing into the yard there is WAY too much snow for the blower to be able to handle it.

The only solution - if you feel like you just HAVE to watch t.v. is to get ahold of the snow shovel and do a lot of manual labor.  Maybe I should look into getting one of those satellite dish heaters things!  Wonder if that would keep it clear of snow?

EQUINOX SKI CHALLENGE IN WEST YELLOWSTONE MARCH 22 AND 23, 2014

YELLOWSTONE EQUINOX SKI CHALLENGE

The Equinox is back in West Yellowstone March 22 and 23, 2014.  For full information click on this link where you will find the full schedule of events.

There is something for everyone at the Equinox including the 24 minute Kids Challenge.  There are 3 hour, 6 hour, 12 hour and 24 hour challenges.  There are three courses for this event so there is sure to be one that will meet your needs and abilities.

It should prove to be a fantastic and enjoyable time for all.

If you are in town - be sure to check it out.  Don't miss the potluck/barbeque at the start/finish line.

CYCLE YELLOWSTONE

CYCLE YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Yellowstone National Park will be closing Sunday morning March 15, 2014.  Fear not - it will open to auto traffic on April 18, 2014.  The reason it is closing is so that the road crews in the Park can get the roads plowed and ready for the summer visitors to come and enjoy our First National Park.

However - you can still go into the park - on your bicycle. bicycleYou can ride into Yellowstone for free before it is open to cars and busses.

From West Yellowstone you can ride to Madison Junction and then to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone or Mammoth Hot Springs.  The road between Madison and Old Faithful remains closed until April 16.

Don't have a bike - you can rent one at Free Heel and Wheel here in West Yellowstone - or - you can also rollerblade or hike into the park.

Bear in mind - you will have to share the Park with the animals that reside there.  I have never done the bike race into the park but people who make a habit of it tell me it is quite an experience.  The Park is quiet and free from motorized traffic.  It makes for a safe - quiet and most enjoyable day.

GETTING THE EXPO RACE TRACK READY IN WEST YELLOWSTONE

From the photos above you can see that someone here in West Yellowstone has been working hard the past couple of weeks to get the race track - jumps and bleachers ready for the upcoming World Snowmobile Expo.

The town street crews have spent the past couple of weeks moving snow to the site at the Old Airport.  Other locals have been busy with bulldozers, graders and groomers moving the snow around and creating race tracks and jumps for the aerials.  They have also created snow bleachers for the spectators.

The orange safety fence has been put up for the protection of the participants as well as the spectators.  We want everyone to have fun but above all - we want them to be safe.

It takes a lot of work on the part of a lot of people to put on this event.  Hats off to all those who have worked so hard - and will be working hard throughout the weekend - to insure that the World Snowmobile Expo will be a success.

If you are in the area - stop by and join in the fun and excitement of the weekend.

EXPO IS COMING TO WEST YELLOWSTONE

THE TENT IS UP FOR THE WORLD SNOWMOBILE EXPO

Pictured above is the tent that has been set up in the back parking lot at the Holiday Inn in West Yellowstone.  This tent - along with the banquet rooms in the Holiday Inn - will house all the vendors that are bringing their wares to show and sell at the Expo.

Admission fees for the weekend are Friday - Expo Tent and Track Races $15.00 (kids 12 and under free)

Saturday - Expo Tent and Track Races - $15.00

Saturday Night Freestyle $15.00

There are evening events and entertainment as well as the races and the Freestyle event.  

On Friday night there will be the famous Casino Night where anyone can become a millionaire (with funny money of course).

After the freestyle show on Saturday be sure and check out the live bands that will playing at various venues throughout the town of West Yellowstone.

Come on out and join in the fun.

AND THE FUN CONTINUES IN WEST YELLOWSTONE

CLEARING THE SNOW FROM THE CHAMBER PARKING LOT

The time of year has come with the snow has to go here in West Yellowstone.  It is time to get parking lots and streets cleared of the white stuff.

Yes - we have a full weekend ahead with the World Snowmobile Expo and the Equinox Ski Challenge coming to town this weekend.

The town will be buzzing and for the convenience of our visitors - the streets and parking lots in town are being cleared of snow - as much as possible that is.

We have had some warm days the past week which has made it easier to get rid of the snow and the slush - but we did get some pretty good snowfall also.  

For those of us "locals" this signifies the end of the winter season and the rapid approach of the coming summer season here.

THERE MAY BE SNOW ON THE SIDES - BUT WE HAVE STREETS AGAIN!

EXPO IS COMING TO WEST YELLOWSTONE

Sorry for the poor quality of this photo.  It was taken last year at the World Snowmobile Expo which is held annually here in West Yellowstone.

One of the big attractions at Expo is the aerial display.  You cannot believe what they can do on snowmobiles.  You will be amazed at the heights they reach and the tricks they do while they are in the air.

The Expo is held at the west end of town at the site of the old airport.  There will be a race track - jumps made for the aerials and bleachers made of snow.

If you have never been to an Expo you need to come on out and see for yourself.  March 14 - 16 is the dates.

ANOTHER WILD WEST YELLOWSTONE WEEKEND

TIME TO MAKE SOME S'MORES

This weekend marks the last Kids 'N Snow events of the season.  I am going to highlight a few of the events.  To get the full schedule check out www.kidsnsnow.org.  Here is where you can find the detailed schedule of events.  It is far too lengthy to post the whole this here.  We sure know how to entertain kids during the winter here in West.

SATURDAY, MARCH 8

9:15 A.M.

Rendezvous Ski Race 

Check our www.rendezvousrace.com for details

9:30 A.M.

Yellowstone Snowcoach Samplers  FREE

10:10 A.M.

Birds of Prey Presentation   FREE

10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.

Kids Ice Fishing Camp - FREE

11:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.

M120 Kids Snowmobile Rides - FREE

12:30 P.M.

Yellowstone Snowcoach Samplers  FREE

The activities continue all day long and end with free Smores and Skating at the City Park.  There is also a sledding hill to be enjoyed when you bring your own sled.  The Book Peddler will be selling soup for $5 for adults and $3 for kids with the proceeds going to benefit the Kids 'N Snow program.

Check out the full schedule of events for the weekend at www.kidsnsnow.org website.

YELLOWSTONE GRIZZLY UPDATE

Just to update you on the happenings here.  There was a large grizzly spotted today at the Seven Mile Bridge in Yellowstone National Park.

This is the third reported bear sighting in the past two weeks.  One was in Hayden Valley on the other side of the Park.  The other was near the South Entrance.

The one today was just seven miles from the West entrance to the Park.  They are coming out of hibernation and you can bet they are hungry.

YELLOWSTONE BEARS ARE ON THE MOVE!

THE BEARS OF YELLOWSTONE ARE BEGINNING TO MAKE THEIR APPEARANCE

I have been wondering when we were going to get our first reports of bear sightings.  With spring just around the corner - even though the snow is still pretty deep - we are have all been expectantly waiting for news of the first bear sighting.

On February 11, 2014 a black bear was sighted near the South Entrance to the National Park.

Yesterday a grizzly was spotted near the road in the Hayden Valley area.

Skiers and snowshoers are being warned to take all necessary precautions and to be extremely vigilant when they are in those areas.

However - it is wise to be on guard no matter where in the park you may be.  You never know when more and more bears - both grizzly and black - will be emerging from their winter hibernation.

As always it is wise to remember that they are the permanent residents.  We are merely the visitors.

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK 142 YEARS OLD! HAPPY BIRTHDAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY YELLOWSTONE

On this date 142 years ago Yellowstone National Park became this Nation's first National Park.  It was established "For the benefit and enjoyment of the people".

The Forty Second Congress of the United States approved an act to set apart a certain tract of land lying near the headwaters of the Yellowstone River as a National Park.

Click on the link above to see a transcript of the Act.

A portion of the Act states that "the Secretary of the Interior shall have exclusive control and may establish rules and regulations for the care and management of the park.  These regulations shall provide for the preservation, from injury or spoilation, of all timber, mineral deposits, natural curiosities, or wonders within said park, and their retention in their natural condition."I have para-phrased the wording in the Act.

If you have never visited our First National Park then put it on your "bucket list" and come see it in the near future.