Saturday, September 10, 2016

Getaway Weekend

Hi All,

We took off for our weekend (Thur-Sat) to visit Yellowstone and the Beartooth Highway northeast of Yellowstone.

This was the sky the night before we left. Red sky at night, RVers delight. We did have a great weather weekend.


First stop was Old Faithful where we arrived in time for a ranger program about the geyser's heat source and plumbing.

By mid-September we expected the crowds to have thinned out--NOT!

Old Faithful never disappoints.

Next we drive to Mammoth Hot Springs, not so much for the springs but the elk. The females dissed us, always facing away as they browsed.

But this guy sat serenely with nine cows in his harem.
From there we drove through Lamar Valley to Cooke City.

A wonderful day with more to come.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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Tuesday, September 6, 2016

A Glorious Day

Hi All,

It is not often that a day that starts at 27 degrees is called glorious but today was that and more.

We saw moose, black bear, grizzly bear, bison, mule deer and this beautiful red fox.


When we went north to elk ranch flats for a bison jam we saw the horses from a nearby dude ranch grazing in front of the Tetons,

Further north we found the bison but they were no longer close to the highway.

Back in Moose, our favorite Sow with two Cubs was back in the housing area.

We hazed her for a while until she and the cubs settled down for a nap.  We took that opportunity to eat lunch while watching them. Here Alex and Sandy watch the bears in the woods to the right.
Just about when we finished lunch the bears were up and moving. We finally got them to the road, got traffic stopped and mom plus one crossed the road. After several minutes the second cub came to the road but mom was 200 yards away. The cub moaned and cried until mom came running back to escort the wayward cub across the road. The park should definitely make us pay them for these experiences!

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone
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Sunday, September 4, 2016

Proud to be part of the Grand Teton Team

Hi All,

The park foundation threw a big birthday party for all employees, volunteers and foundation supporters. Great food, open bar and a seemingly endless list of raffle prizes.

Superintendent, David Vela  gave a brief speech about the significance of the Park Service's 100th birthday

then we went back to eating and drinking. 

Back on duty today we rejoined our black bear mom with two cubs. They spent another five hours munching berries in the Moose housing area.

One of the cubs is wrestling with a choke cherry branch.

Mom reaches for the higher branches.

and takes a moment to check us out.
She's pretty mellow which is a good thing.

The big Berry fire is still burning but the Yellowstone road is open and the smoke is clearing.

Conditions are still critically dry. A front came through today and sporadic lightning started four fires. Multiple helicopters and ground crews knocked them down before the got out of hand.

There is also a massive Search and Rescue operation ongoing. A lodge employee went for a hike on Wednesday and has not reported for work since. Lots of people,dogs and helicopters scouring the mountain trails but the longer it goes on, prospects for a good outcome diminish.

The commitment and teamwork of the Grand Teton NP staff is amazing.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Still the Best Job in the Park

Hi All,

The black bear sow and two cubs were back in the Moose housing area. It took us three hours to get them out. It is difficult to haze a sow with cubs. When we clap and yell, mom starts to move but the skittish cubs jump up into a tree. We stop and back off as mom comes back to the cubs-back to square one!

The brushy area was full of hawthorn berry and choke cherry bushes. When we finally got them all moving they went ten feet then stopped at another berry bush for a snack. After about 90 minutes we had moved them perhaps 90 feet. Then it was time for a nap. We watched mom roll onto her back to let the cubs nurse then they settled in the shade.

When they were good and ready they walked down the street, gave us time to stop traffic, and crossed the highway. 

They could make us pay for these experiences.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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Sunday, August 28, 2016

A Busy Week

Hi All,

Lots of animal activity including a black bear sow with two cubs near the park headquarters building. Here Sandy tries to haze the bears away from the building. Mom and one cub are just under the fence rail. Unfortunately, the second cub was up a tree.


Friday night we attended services with the Jackson Hole Jewish Community. We enjoyed a pot luck dinner after services. Someone imported these interesting looking multicolor bagels.
Unfortunately, with so much food coloring, the bagel tasted like Playdough!

The fire is still spreading slowly and the road to Yellowstone is still closed.


As if a big wildfire was not enough, yesterday we had an earthquake.
We were out hiking and did not feel it but many people in their RVs reported shaking and swaying. 

What next-floods or volcanos???

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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Friday, August 26, 2016

Fire Update

Hi All,

The Berry fire has moderated some with lower winds but it is still very dry. The road to Yellowstone is still closed and likely to remain closed through the weekend. Even after the fire is clear of the road there are hundreds, perhaps thousands of burned trees near the road that pose a traffic hazard and must be cut down.

Yesterday at 6 AM, a national Type 2 Incident Command Team arrived to fight the fire. 260 people, 4 helicopters and a small village to house them.

For more info on our or other fires, check www.inciweb.nwcg.gov.

Last week before the fire jumped the lake, this is what it looked like at sunset.

This is the Berry patrol cabin with its structure protection blanket.

This is what it looked like just before the fire jumped Hwy 89.
These photos came from the Inciweb web site.

We are still fine though smokey.

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Smoke & Ash

Hi All,

We had a busy day with moose and bears as we watched the mountain vistas disappear in the smoke. The sunset sky was an angry red.


Only with the sunset backlight did the mountain silhouette reappear. The sign in the foreground warns drivers that the road to Yellowstone NP is still closed.
Standing outside we noticed flecks of white and gray ash drifting out of the sky. 

Our campground loop houses park employees and volunteers. With the evacuation of the two northern campgrounds, we are full to the brim with evacuees.

The bright spot in our day was a visit from friends John & Tracy who rode along for a while and enjoyed a moose jam with a cow & calf.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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