Church in Gardiner & The food is awful here

ok, so I'm going to talk about the good and the bad. I went to church today, for the 2nd Sunday. I found a wonderful fellowship of people and the little worship team asked me to join them today!!! It was awesome! The name of the church is Gardiner Community Church. now, on to the bad. We have what is called the EDR = employee dining room......I have tried to keep my chin up about this food issue. sometimes, I just want to cry when I look at what they are serving!!!! tonight it was fried chicken nuggets. Actually, more like popcorn chicken. so basically just a bunch of fried batter. they looked so dried up that i didn't even try to take one and scape off the outside to get to a teeny bite (maybe) of chicken. Next to that were fried potato wedges, biscuits, gravy, some sort of mixed up fare and then yellow squash. I'll take yellow squash, thank-you. I then found some tomato wedges and mushrooms that I microwaved, and I opened a can of tuna that i brought in with me. This is about typical of the food served. Then there's all the pudding, cake and pastries to go along with that. I tell ya......Mrs Obama would not approve. I am surviving on canned tuna, rubbery hard boiled eggs, smoked oysters, rice cakes and salad. Oh, I should say in their defense, that there is a bowl of apples, oranges & bananas to chose from, and I do. I just hope that I can hang in there and get up and over this food issue. It's really disheartening when it's cold outside and you're hoping for something hot to eat, and there's nothing. I have a BBQ and it may be getting put to use before long. Where's the Rice, I ask. How about a plain baked potato? how about a chicken breast, or a piece of fish. Could I have just a plain hamburger patty? could you just leave the gravy out of things? Could you not mix mushroom soup into the vegetables? ok, Lord help me to be grateful for what I have, and not be a whiner. Thankfully I brought my Kuerig and I can have quality coffee before I get there in the am. June

3 Dog Day!

sorry, no pictures worth posting today........ I rolled out of bed early and was on the road by 6:15am to head out to the Lamar Valley for my full Saturday of Wildlife viewing. My first BIG surprise was when a FOX ran out in front of me!!! I have not yet seen a fox and that little guy was on the top of my list. when I first spotted it in front of me, I thought "mongoose" (???) and then "cat". I didn't expect the little buggar to be so small!!!! It looked like one of my cats! anyway, it happened all so fast, and it was dark, so I'm sorry, no pics. He ran across the road and then stopped up on the shoulder in the snow to stop and look back at me. Cute! Thi was just about 1/5 miles from Lava creek picnic area, Mammoth side. Off I went, to the Lamar Valley to find the folks from the Yellowstone Wolf Project. I had read reports of a day full of action the day before, so I was hoping to find the same. Initially, when I came upon them, then were stopped in the road, just past the Buffalo Institute. They said that the wolves were trying to cross the road. then when we were able to get through, I spotted 4 wolves running along the hillside chasing a coyote. at First Enclosure. they don't like coyotes. Ok, here's where I get to explain the title: 3 DOG DAY #1 Fox, #2 Wolf, #3 Coyote. That's a trifecta in Yellowstone wildlife hunters terminology. I finally hit it!!!!!!!!! anyway, the wolves toyed around with an Elk and then tired of that, since they didn't have their chief hunter, the alpha female with them. (Lamar pack, 06F) all but one of the pack was present, but Mom must have been out doing other business. I left them and headed back down the valley to see if any of the other packs were around. I was cold anyway and needed to run the heater in the van. I pulled in with some folks I knew and we scanned around trying to find the Blacktail Pack. they were no where to be seen. So we then headed back into the valley, where the Agate pack had been detected at Little America. We were able to pick up 6 (of 7) of them at one point. They were just lounging around. However.......they did do some howling/singing, which was incredible!!!!!! I could see them thru my scope, and all of them were just howling in true form. Oh, they were all bedded down, not in your typical wolf pose for howling. They were calling out to one of the yearling pups that had wandered off, because he was calling to them. He shortly came over the hill to join them. I went back toward the Lamar pack, but they had disappeared. they had been successful while I had been gone, but then were behind a hill and there was nothing to see. So, I headed back toward Mammoth Hot Springs and decided to go to the boiling river. What a great day! Now,I have seen 2 of the 3 animals that I've been seeking, not having seen before. OTTERS, FOX..... still MIA = Ermine...........Oh, and I've yet to see moose in YNP....just down in the Tetons. I am done with my training, and they are going to turn me loose to make peoples hotel reservations on Monday!!! Oh My!!!

Boiling River

this is where the water comes out of the mountain
close up view of above

where the hot water runs in a channel toward the river

one of the spots where it dumps into the river, and mixes with the cold

you can see where people have dammed up the water to make pools that hold the mixed water

Yes, I said boiling!!!! What a great way to end my "hell week" of training. I went last night and then again this afternoon. After a good soak, you don't have a care in the world. today, it was pretty crowded, since it was a Saturday, but there still was plenty of room.

This is one of 2 places in all of Yellowstone that you can go in the water.

I just love Hot Springs!!!!!

The trial in, is about 1/2 mile long. The walk in is cold, but the walk back, once you are well toasted up from your soak is surreal. Add into that, Bison on the trail and the scent of sage surrounding you, and you truly feel like you are in the heart of the West.

on to today's wildlife adventure.

Puppy Dog Eyes

I just love these bison when they pass by my car, I just can't help but take a picture. the eyes are so sweet. Unfortunately, some folks think that they are as sweet as they look, but they can be ferocious and have alot of weight behind them!!! right now, they are moving very slow. some are trying to conserve calories, walking slowly, looking for the next bits of grass peeking thru the snow.

Hitching Post Coyote

Coyote out a the Hitching Post

The coyotes here look very healthy. not at all like the California Coyotes or the desert coyotes.

many are fooled thinking they are wolves.......

An overcast day, not a great pic, but wanted to show a representation of one.

Work Day 1 - check in to my dorm room

March 15, 2011

First off, I have to say, the Xanterra building, where they house Human Resources looks like a prison. PLEASE be aware, that this is NOT where I will be working!!!!

The check in process wasn't so bad. they just want to make sure you've got all your paperwork filled out, and take your mug shot. then we left for Mammoth to begin the check in process in the dorms. I got my own room, so far, until my roomie comes in in 10 days. I was able to get one of the rooms in the Aspen dorm, that has private baths shared by 2 rooms. HOWEVER, my friends Becca (never Becky) and Lindsay (yes spelled must like my girl) have this enormous room at Spruce. Like TWICE the size of my room. And they have more furniture!!!!!

I'm glad my roommate isn't here yet. It's giving me a chance to settle in, unpack and reorganize. My van is in total disarray, and I am having trouble finding some things.
I got my bed all comfy with a foam mattress topper, my little down throw, blankets and sheets from home. bedding is provided if you need it. It was recommended to bring your own. Other creature comforts from home include the Kuerig coffee maker (yum), bath mat, hangers, netbook and DVD player. no phone, no pool, no pets and no tv!!
One thing I'm enjoying about not having phone service is, I don't have to worry about it ringing when I'm in the bathroom, or in the shower. I mean NO PHONE SERVICE. My T-mobile phone doesn't work here in Mammoth, but all others seem to. so I just go down the road a ways near Gardiner and I get a signal.
I'm on the upper level, which is fine with me, since I live upstairs at home and it will keep me in shape. also, I don't have to listen to clomping feet about me. I like that.......
We had a short orientation meeting and then they let us go. They showed us around the office, and the work area is really nice. I'll be working in Reservations. For those of you who have EVER worked in a hotel, I will be booking rooms in 10 locations, some of which have cabins and rooms. It's a HUGE system. And surprisingly enough, the cabins are VERY affordable.
here's something quaint. Rooms only sleep 4 people. But you are welcome to bring bedding for a 5&6 person!!!!! in fact, it's encouraged!!!
Here's another "quaint" feature of the Yellowstone rooms. some of them have to use communal bathrooms!!!! That's the way they were built back in "the day", and remain to this day. Especially the ones at Old Faithful, where EVERYONE wants to stay. but there are many nice properties throughout the park, and since it's so big, it's nice to be able to sty in different areas.
the option of the cabins is a great way to enjoy the park!
I headed out to the Lamar again this afternoon for another fix.
more to follow

March 14th - Oh My! The 1st bear sighted in Yellowstone

Bald Eagle, Lamar Valley, Yellowstone
As you have already read, I was in the first group to spot the earliest bear on Monday.
what a thrill!!! what a beautiful bear. What a bunch of crappy pictures I got!!!!!! Dang!
forgive me, I'm still learning to use the camera. I hadn't figured in the snow in the foreground that the camera was going to auto focus on. Oh well. You get "the picture".
That morning started out with finding the Wuffies group at the Slough Creek campground turnout. they were watching the Lamar wolfpack on the hillside SE of the turnout, across the highway. the wolves quickly made their way over the hill so the gang packed up and headed down the valley. Such is the way of the Wolf Followers.
Let me give a little overview of this process:
Someone spots something and pulls over. Others see this, and pull over as well. In the case of the Wolf Watchers, we have athe benefit sometimes of spotting the Wolf Project people who have antenna with which to track to radio collared wolves. that's how they know where to look.
Folks pull in and start setting up spotting scopes, cameras and use their binoculars to "glass" the area to find the animals.
We then set up on in another turnout to watch the Lamar's up on the hillside on the east end of Jasper Bench. Another watcher spotted the Agate Pack on the south end of the bench. they were just lounging out in the gravel, sunning themselves. the Lamar pups (4) born last spring, were playing "king of the Mountain" on a large boulder, and romping in the snow. It seemed like just a family outing. they bedded down shortly and that's when a very nice man nmaed Doug, from Silver Gate Cabins, said, "have you seen the bear on the bison carcass, and do you want to go?" Uh HECK YEAH! LEAD THE WAY!!!
he also showed up were there were otters, MY FIRST SIGHTING, and there was a nice bald eagle overlooking the whole thing.
Of course you got the bear story. that's few posts down, so I won't repeat my excitement.
another night at the Super 8 and tomorrow I start work. (darn) pics to follow

The fun begins! I'm HERE Finally!!!!

"Tres Hombres" 3 Bighorn Sheep Rams

common goldeneyes

typical bison jam. they own the road....

one of the little ones as it passed by my car window

Sunday - March 13, 2011
Of course, I headed straight out to the Lamar Valley. I poked along, keeping my eye out for all those darned Foxes (the little animal variety) that everyone reports and I didn't see a darned one.
My first pull-out found me with Rick McIntyre and Laurie Lyman. (Rick sort of head up the wolf project as far as keeping count on a daily basis visually, as does Laurie, and she posts on the Yellowstonereports.com) They were scanning the area after Blacktail, before Tower, where you can see Hellroaring to the west in the distance (don't know the name of that area, will insert later). They said it had been slow day for wolves. She was very friendly and shared lots of knowledge about the wolf packs that I asked about. I have been keeping my own running list of the packs, numbers, colors and numbers to refer to so I don't sound completely ignorant when talking to the Wuffies. (I guess I one of those now) that is the term used by some on the Forums to describe those of us who are wolf fanatics. I'm actually a nut for all the animals but the wolves are kinda the celebrities in the park. I gotta give equal time to the Grizzly Bears who aren't out year round.......and then the Bison, who are equally as popular, if not plentiful. then there are the elk, the coyotes, otters, eagles, ermine, beaver, Pronghorn antelope, badger, cougar and so on.........

I got passed the buffalo institute and spotted some different looking "ducks", so I decided to get a [icture. they took off, but hunted them down and finally got a pretty good picture. these are called Common Goldeneyes

That day didn't produce any unusual viewings, but I got a nice shot of 3 Bighorn Sheep on the hillside just NW of "the hitching post" (last bathroom break turnout about 2/3 of the way into the valley) I call that shot "Tres Hombres".


I got lots of elk shots, saw whitetail deer on the way in, loads of Bison and then 2 coyotes down near the river. It was just plain good to be back in the Lamar Valley, even though it was almost completely white everywhere.
I was really surprised how nice the roads were. I expected to be driving on packed snow the whole time. the roads are the worst between Mammoth and tower, and then they clear up in the Lamar. I think it's because of the altitude and also there's more tree cover to keep the snow from melting.
I stayed at the Super 8 for 2 nights. Reports were that they had the best WiFi and I didn't want to miss my computer time. I bought that little netbook just for that reason.
I have found that I don't type very fast on it, so thank goodness there are computers for the employees to use.

Be patient, I'm still trying to figure out this upload on the pics feature. for some reason it won't let me insert right where I want them......

the journey

view of Yellowstone arch, North Entrance

where do I start? I seem to have already gotten ahead of myself......
I left Oregon on March 7th, bound for my cousin Lesly's in St. Maries Idaho. I had almost great weather the whole way....I made a stop at Cabela's for those last minute cold weather things..... in Post Falls, ID and then down to St. Maries. that's where I hit some snow. and then it snowed just about all the time I was at Lesly's. I found the snow enchanting. Had a couple days there and then went on to Kalispell MT to visit Holly & friends there and see Glacier Nat'l Park. mostly, again, it was cloudy/snowy so I finally made it up there on Friday afternoon. I didn't see much. In fact, I didn't see a Glacier....wasn't that the point of it all????

trumpeter swan, with tag
Saturday morning I was up and gone early, and made my way to Helena, MT to visit my friend Robie. I saw many frozen lakes and 2 trumpeter swans that were tagged.
Robie hosted me at her home and took me to several thrift stores to find a pair of ice skates. She also took me to the St Helena Cathedral. A beautiful church, filled with stained glass windows.

I left there headed for Yellowstone, Sunday Morning, March 13th. got down to I-90 through Bozeman to Livingston, and headed south from there to the park.
the van ran great the whole way. No problems. the old gal (the van not me, but I can hold my own) handled well.

on to Yellowstone

BEAR MONDAY-first of the season!!

Sorry, this is out of order, yes, I'm already in Yellowstone and have yet to write about that adventure but I wanted to get this posted for all my friends at YNET. Im having trouble posting pics there for some reason. New camera........

anyway, spotted a Grizzly bear feeding on a bison carcass. Now before all you bison lovers get in a uproar, this was most likely one that died due to starvation. alot of that is going on in the park

We saw him at Round Prairie. that's between Soda Butte and Pebble Creek.

all the folks at Mammoth and the Yellowstone Assoc said it was the first sighting

Leaving Oregon tomorrow 6 am! YIKES

Hey gang, the van is all packed up. I look like I'm going on some sort of outdoor sports extravaganza!! 3 kinds of skis, snowshoes, bike, backpacks, sleeping bags (yes bags - different climates), Tripods, Spotting Scope, Canon Rebel XTI camera. You'd think I'm heading to the desert for all the water I'm taking.....I'm such a clean water nut. Last time I realized I hadn't brought enough water. I'm bringing all my bottles and then I'll be able to get them refilled with reverse osmosis somewhere.....I hope.

Oh, I guess I should mention the container of "Casual Business" attire that I also packed. That's for my JOB. Oh yeah, that.

Hey, while you're waiting for news and pics of my exciting adventure, check out this link. It's to a LIVE bald eagle nest!!! You can see the eagle sleeping on the next, and hopefully, see the "eaglets" when they hatch! http://www.ustream.tv/channel/decorah-eagles

It's not too late, so I feel pretty good about my departure. I'm leaving a couple hours early so in case I encounter snow on the roads to Idaho (most likely) that I won't be stressed out about getting there when my cousin Lesly gets off work. She lives in St. Maries Idaho, that's a hour S of Coeur d' Alene. the roads most of the way are good, but it's when I get close to her little town that they are calling for patches of ice.

I'll make my way along the Columbia River Gorge, which is a beautiful drive. Then I'll head N on 395 and pick up I-90. I'm going to make a stop in Post Falls at Cabela's......of course...just in case they have something else I need!!!! More Expedition weight long underwear! LOL

Ok, this part of the journey ends, and the next part is about to begin. I hope I can keep you entertained....
J

less than a week

Yes, I leave Oregon in less than a week to weave my way to Yellowstone. First I'm going to stop and see my cuz Lesly in ST Maries, ID. Then on to Montana to visit friends and then into Yellowstone a couple days early to acclimate to the altitude (7000+ ft) I have found in the past that I have a bit of a headache upon arriving. I chalked this up to driving like heck to get there, but upon close thought, I think it's the altitude. I got the same headache when I climbed Mauna Loa. When I got to 14,000 ft to camp at the summit, I was in a wired state the whole night, and couldn't sleep, even though I was exhausted. yep, altitude.

so, I'm going to get in a couple days early, so I will be in good shape when I check in on the 15th to report for work.....

My snowshoes arrived 2 days ago!!! I sure hope I get to use them for all the trouble it took me to research and buy them on EBAY. I hear that the snow is insane in Yellowstone right now. The grazing animals are really suffering. Which on the other hand has been good for the carnivores. The poor bison have tried to leave the park to get to lower elevations and they just get hazed back toward the park. Here's another interesting piece. They tried to relocate some bison out of the park. They drove them out, then tested them for brucellosis. the ones that tested negative, they drove out to another area, leaving half the heard behind. Well, Bison are family oriented. they didn't like that one bit. once they got to where the cowboys wanted them, they just turned around and went back. they even crossed a river to do it!!! It's been a crazy winter in Yellowstone, dealing with the bison.

I only hope I have warm enough socks and long underwear...........