Hopefully, last week of winter

Made it through the second week of work and then had a little time to play. Still no hiking yet as there is still snow on most of the trails. Hoping to hit the trail tomorrow, weather permitting. Last weekend was Old West Days in Jackson; big parade, music on the square, hotdogs and fun. Monday evening went to The Jackson Hootenanny with Dunhams and other visitor center staff. Lots of good ole down home fun. Went on a short two day trip to Idaho Falls Wednesday. Pretty scenery over Teton Pass and then back through the Snake River Canyon. Only a little flurry today, so looks like winter might be over.

Deeann at Elk Refuge

Eddie

Dunhams at the Hootenanny

Falls at Idaho Falls

Yellowstone bus at Old West Days parade

First Week of Work (if you want to call it that)

Well, have finished my first week of work (3 days) and am getting back into it; telling people where to go, what to see, where to eat, where to stay, selling park passes and other licenses. It's really a lot of fun meeting and talking to people from all over the world. One of my co-workers suggested I use one of our park highlight sheets to reduce the time I have to talk to people. I'll give it to them now, but only after I've told them everything on the sheet. It's more fun that way. It's amazing at how many foreigners are here this time of year and the length of some of their vacations. Most of the foreigners we see in the Visitor's Center are European.

It's still cold up here and activities in the park have really been delayed. Teton National Park had over 700 inches of snow this year, over 200 inches above normal. You can really tell it. All of the snow does add another view of the beauty up here. Had a picture of a frozen Jenny Lake in the last blog. Made a short trip into the park today and the lakes have really thawed. Today's picture of Jenny Lake shows only a few floating chunks of ice. Evidently wind is more of a factor in the melt than the temperature. Even though the lakes are thawing, there is still a lot of snow around and campground and hiking trail openings have been delayed.

Went back into the park today to have lunch at the Jackson Lake Lodge. Had snow flurries most of the way up and back. Didn't have a good few of the mountains as can be seen in the Jenny Lake picture below, but it was still beautiful.

Still a lot of snow around

Moose shedding winter coat and growing new antlers

At the Visitor Center, but not in work clothes

Jenny Lake today showing ice melt. Pretty good snow coming in so you can't see the mountains. I got back to the car just before it hit.

Made it to Jackson

Had a tough trip from Moab to Jackson. Rain and snow and a mud slide that caused an extra hour and half re-route. Finally got here and set up the Casita. Still have a bit left to do but putting it off to do some sightseeing and getting reacquainted with Jackson and the Tetons. Had lunch at Jackson Lake Lodge and the view was spectacular. Still a lot of snow and all trails are closed so no hiking yet. The lakes are frozen also...so no fishing yet. Start work tomorrow for three days then four days off to explore some more. Today was the start of Elk Fest on the square. Many were there selling antlers and big auction to support the Boy Scouts. Tomorrow is Chili Cook Off and next week is the start of Old West Days. Always something going on here and am glad to be back.

A frozen Jenny Lake

Buffalo in road

Moose on side of road

Elk Fest

Bison skulls for sale at Elk Fest

Halfway to Jackson

Had a fun stop in Moab, UT on way to Jackson. Beautiful area. Canyon Lands and Arches National Parks are spectacular. Went on a fairly challenging hike in Canyon Lands, but beautiful and away from maddening crowds. Got to Jackson Wednesday after driving through rain and snow on way from Moab and extra one and a half hour detour due to mud slide on our planned route. The Casita is now planted for the summer.

Deeann and Eddie under Balanced Rock

Windows Arches

Balanced Rock

View in Arches NP

On The Road Again

Headed back to Jackson Hole again for the summer. Taking a round about way to get there so I can visit some old friends. First stop was Lubbock to see Andy and Nicky Anderson. Then to Westcliffe, CO for Bob and Barbara Davis' 50th wedding anniversary. Am now camped in Moab, UT and will be here a couple of days doing some hiking getting ready for the Tetons. Had a great 5.8 miler today in Canyon Lands National Park. Beautiful place with lots of good elevation. Will be going to Arches National Park tomorrow and then to Jackson Hole on Wednesday.


First stop: Roadside park on way to Lubbock

Bob and Barbara, Eddie and Deeann


Deeann in Canyon Lands National Park


Beautiful scenery, even on a hazy day.

Two weeks to go

I can't believe four months have already flown by. With beautiful scenery, cool weather, visits from friends and family, the latest being my sister, sister-in-law and the Dickersons, it has been and will continue to be a summer to remember. Hopefully I will be able to come back next year.

Took a two day trip to Flaming Gorge over the Labor Day weekend. Wanted to go by Ft. Bridger on the way down and found myself in the middle of the second largest festival in Wyoming. It was sort of like a trades day with hundreds of tents and tepees set up all over the place. Most of the people were in period dress.

Things are still very busy around here. Hotel occupancy still running around 99%. There is something going on nearly every week in September. An art festival started a week ago last Thursday and continues through this Sunday. It is one of the biggest events of the year in JH. The first weekend there was a big race with restaurants serving food on the square and live music. Also had a Cowboy Jubilee Saturday night. Today was one of the main events of the festival, Quick Draw on the square. About 30 artist were set up on the square and given 90 minutes to create their art. The art was then auctioned off, some going for as much as $6,000. Pretty good hourly rate for some of the artist. The featured painting, not created in just 90 minutes, was sold for $35,000. I couldn't believe how many people were bidding up over $30k.

I've include several pictures from last few weeks.

Ft. Bridger Rendezvous Scramble

Flaming Gorge

Quick Draw Artist

Couple of Quick Draw Painting

The following is my screen saver on my phone. Something to help me remember the summer.

Labor day is here

Well, it's September and only one month left. I don't know if I'm glad or sad. It's been a great experience.

Had the first snow in the mountains this week and I had a new experience in the trailer today. I got up this morning and had no water. After a little investigation, I found out my water hose was frozen. It thawed quickly and I later walked to work in a short sleeve shirt, another beautiful day.

Have had several visitors over the last few weeks: John and Jan Shewmaker, Carl and Joanna Couch, old friends from Dallas (and actually as far back as college), Bob and Barbara Davis, Leon and Barbara Ward from Holly Lake and Dean Barry an old friend from Texarkana. My sister and sister-in-law, Tom and Cheryl Dickerson are coming up in a couple of weeks.

I finally have gotten back to doing some hiking. Toe is still a little swollen and hurts a little, but getting out and walking up in the mountains is worth it.

Have a big weekend planned: Willy Nelson concert tomorrow night and I think I will go down to the Flaming Gorge for a couple of days on Monday. It's supposed to a lot different
from here, but very pretty.

Am including several new pictures. One is of Dean in front of the cabin from the movie Shane. I had to take Dean to the airport very early on the day he left so got a picture of a full moon setting as the sun came up. Picture just can't show what it was really like.

Sun Rise - Moon Set

Dean at Shane Cabin

Sunrise from the Casita

Mount Moran from Leigh Lake