Well, That Was Wet!

The weekend began with such promise. Vendors set up their tents near the IP Lodge and Buffalo Run for the antique shows. ATVs were ready to rent, restaurants were stocked with food and the fly shops were ready to provide the hook that mimicked the current hatch. 

Boats, canoes and staff stood at the ready to give visitors the opportunity to float the river. I was ready for the first days of the bow hunt. Everything was in place.

What is the fastest way to bring a holiday weekend to an abrupt halt? Host a Monsoon!

I did a little bit of hunting Saturday evening east of Last Chance. The weather was threatening but huntable. As it got dark I drove home northbound on Hwy 20 and it was apparent that the north end of the caldera received more rain than I had experienced. There was a solid string of vehicle headlights fleeing south off the mountain. My heart was heavy for those who worked so hard to prepare for Labor Day weekend visitors and for those who cut their vacation short.

The antique shows packed up and left before their inventory was damaged and most of the staff at Mack’s Inn boat rental went home for the season early. The weather affected most other merchants in the same negative way.

I am not saying that the rain was of biblical proportions but I did hear tales of animals gathering two by two and searching for available boats at Henry’s Lake! 

Life in Island Park is seldom predictable but is always beautiful.