Monday, August 11, 2014

A Very Busy Day

Hi All,

We began our day exchanging anniversary cards (46 years). It was neat that once again we picked the same card.


Once on patrol we had a moose jam on the Snake River bridge. When that happens, this is our "office".


As the jam was breaking up, one of the Law Enforcement Rangers stopped to ask us to patrol the bridge area and not let anyone park there. Later, Carl was asked to block a side road with our truck. All of this was to facilitate VP Biden's departure trip to the airport. Once the motorcade passed, we went back to wildlife.

There was a huge bison jam on the highway. About 100 animals were milling around close to the road, causing a predictable traffic slowdown. Things really got interesting when a large group walked out on the highway and stopped. Here are 17 bison just milling around on the road. Not much to do but wait.
When the bison finally got away from the road we drive back to Moose where there were two bull moose under the Snake River bridge. We spent the rest of our shift watching moose and directing traffic.

Love,

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

New Distance Record

Hi All,

Saturday we went for a hike that turned out to be the furthest we ever hiked.

We hiked the length of Leigh Lake then on to Trapper Pond. About ten miles total. We were leg weary but otherwise felt great. Views like this kept us energized.

We are still dealing with problem bears. Here a visitor caught a bear stealing a jug of water.
We also have a VIP visitor here in the park. VP Biden is here with his family for a few days. All we've seen are a bunch of big black SUVs.

Love,

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

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Gros Ventre & Mini-Bear

Hi All,

The Gros Ventre River flows westward out of the mountains into the Snake River just past our campground.

Today we drove up into the Gros Ventre at the Bridger Tetom National Forest.

The views along the river were stunning.


Sandstone hills loom above Crystal Creek with a fly fisherman trying his luck.

In 1925 there was a huge landslide that blocked the river and created a lake (Slide Lake). We hiked across the debris dam for a view of Slide Lake.

We mentioned previously our problem bear who has been stealing human food. A trap was set to catch her and instead we caught this small guy that might be the cub of our problem bear. The little guy was released on site.

Still having a great summer.

Love,

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

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Hip Deep in Wildflowers

Hi All,

Today was our "back-country" day and we chose to hike around Two Ocean Lake. We talked to numerous hikers as we covered the 6.5 mile trail.

The Wildflowers were everywhere and literally hip deep.


Here's some Monks Hood

and a nodding sunflower.

Baneberry is one of the earliest to ripen 

The flower of the giant hyssop is very complex

and the showy fleabane is widespread.

Indian paintbrush is a brilliant red.

Acres of Wildflowers circled the lake.

Love,

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

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Still More Mammals

Hi All,

It was a pretty quiet, rainy day on patrol. No bears in Jenny Lake campground but this fox put in an appearance.


After supper Sandy spotted two bull moose coming our way. This guy walked behind our coach

then browsed his way through the campground.
Back at the coach our bat began moving down the window. Carl lifted the windshield cover and the bat flew off to eat bugs all night. It will be interesting if he roosts on our windshield again tomorrow.

Love,

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

All Kinds of Mammals

Hi All,

While patrolling Moose-Wilson Road yesterday morning we spotted this young mule deer.


Later, a camper at Jenny Lake photographed this small black bear in the campground. She did not get any food.

This morning, Carl noticed a dark spot on our windshield. Turns out it's a bat sleeping between the windshield and the mesh windshield screen (definitely outside).
Bats and bears, Oh my!

Love,

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