Life on the High Plains

When I go hiking in Yellowstone I usually like to be under the cover of trees where it's shady and cool in the midst of summer.  Yesterday, however, I decided to head out to the open meadows to see the many wildflowers that grow in the Yellowstone ecosystem. I knew a storm was expected later in the afternoon and I thought I had enough time to go a couple miles before the storm rolled in. The sky was incredibly beautiful and... I could quickly tell that the storm was rolling in faster than I anticipated. I kept going though and was delighted with the many species of flowers I encountered. The trail also meandered through some aspen groves which were equally as beautiful. I also came upon this craggy old tree.  Makes you wonder what happened...maybe a lightning strike? I don't know the names of all these flowers.  Every year when I come up here I research what they are all called and then by the next summer I have completely forgotten. I'm pretty sure these are mountain lup...

The first two years I spent in Yellowstone I absolutely loved.  I was always out on the trails discovering new features of the park with friends who are more like family than friends. This year, however, I've wanted to go home since the day I arrived.  My friends who hike are either not here this summer or are living in other areas of the park.  The campground this year is full of old fogies who don't hike and really never come outside their trailers.  It's lonely. We did have one get together on July 3rd.  It's a good time when we're together, I just don't know where everyone is during their time off. I've been disillusioned with the hoards of people who come through the gate each day who don't even bother to put on a mask to keep me safe.  I see people coming in from Texas, Florida, California, Oklahoma, etc.-the hot spots of the country.  I just want to ask them "what the hell are you doing here in the midst of a pandemic?"  People have said...

This week's Yellowstone adventure was a short 3 1/2 mile out and back hike to Mystic Falls. The trail head to Mystic Falls is located on the backside of Biscuit Basin.  If you follow the boardwalks all the way to the west to a dirt trail, you'll find the trail head There are lots of beautiful thermal features at Biscuit Basin... ...including this beautiful pool that looks like you could just jump in and soak yourself in.  Don't do that though or you'll be boiled to death in a matter of seconds. Once you find the trail head the throngs of people are left behind as the trail winds alongside an off shoot of the Fire Hole river. Very peaceful and quiet, I only passed a handful of other visitors. Before long you get a glimpse of the falls. If you're willing to climb up a few rocks you get a view of the many tiers of the falls. After taking in the view and taking a few photos it was time to make the hike back to the parking lot in order to get out of the park before 11:00...

Irv and I played tourist in West Yellowstone last week.  I live right behind the grizzly and wolf center so we went over to check it out. They have three wolf packs including four puppies! There's no words to describe this kind of cuteness. Dad looked a little tired and worn out. The center has several grizzlies.  They aren't all out at the same time so your ticket lets you come back for two days so you can have the opportunity to see them all. I don't know why these critters have to be so ferocious.   Wouldn't you just like to pet them and give them a big hug? I will tell you that a grizzly in captivity looks way better than a grizzly in the wild who has to fend for himself. I can't leave out Yellowstone's ravens.  They follow the bears around hoping to pick up some of the food they drop. They also had a pen with some ground squirrels.  I wanted to bring one home for Sophie to play with. It's hard to believe these guys would like to eat you also.  I e...

When Irv was here for a visit last week we had wanted to get out on the trails in Yellowstone, however, the weather didn't cooperate.  It was cold and rainy almost the whole time he was here. In between storms we managed to make the short hike to Harlequin Lake on the West Entrance road. This trail goes through an area that was ravaged by the 1988 fires. You can see all the downed trees and new forest growth. It was only half a mile to the lake and we were treated to this beautiful lake covered with lily pads that are in bloom. This one bird kept following up.  He must be used to humans feeding him...but he's barking up the wrong tree with this ranger. We think he's an American Coot. Unfortunately, the trail didn't go all around the lake, but we went as far as we could. I think the blooms on the lily pads are so beautiful and unusual. Before long we had to make the trek back to the car and we got there right as ice drops starting falling from the sky. A beautiful, peace...