Island Park is a Great Classroom

I have always enjoyed being outdoors. Father’s Day caused me to reminisce about the knowledge and values my family imparted to me. I remember my great-grandfather taking me on a walk along a stream bank in Logan as he selected a willow for a whistle. My grandfather introduced me to Island Park while returning from Yellowstone when I was seven. He also taught me how to fence and irrigate on his farm in Lehi, Utah during my teenage summers.

The point is that my introduction to the outdoors and outdoor skills were conveyed to me beginning at an early age by those who loved me. It was those small, seemingly insignificant efforts that shaped my life.

For those visiting Island Park, the environment allows parents, grandparents and even great-grandparents the opportunity to instill skills and values that will shape their family. The youth unplug and appreciate the majesty of a moose grazing in the river or the serenity of a float trip down a section of the Henry’s Fork. Each experience introduces them to the real world instead of the virtual world. Conversations can be kindled that allow the elder to reinforce the values essential to a successful life.

The twenty-four hour news cycles emphasizes the horror, difficulty and tension around the world. A love of nature and outdoor skills will give one’s family a way to withdraw and recharge as they tackle the difficulties of life. Don’t miss those opportunities to create a teaching memory. Mine those moments as you would mine for gold because what the family learns will be more precious than any metal.

God has given this great backdrop for sharing one’s love for another.

Use it wisely.

Yellowstone Country Safety * Slash Dump *

The slash dump is now open Tuesday and Thursday 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. 

The Campfire * a visit with Liz Davies of the Forest Service *

Forest Service’s Liz Davy graciously agreed to meet with me monthly to discuss any Forest Service plans for the Island Park Caldera. We held our first “kumbaya” last Friday. These are the bullet points of that conversation:

With the funds generated by the Island Park Chamber’s “Sawtelle Fun Run”, the Forest Service intends to finish the non-motorized community trail that stretches from Harriman Park to Henry’s Lake. Signage will be installed along the trail this summer. Liz wanted to convey her appreciation of the Chamber for their support of this project.

Last summer’s decision to close numerous ATV trails throughout the caldera may not be implemented for five years. Lack of funding will preclude efforts to erect the necessary signage and block existing trails.

The only road grading in the caldera this summer will be on Chick Creek and Green Canyon Road (and those two projects are tentative). Liz recommended that one avoid driving on muddy back roads this spring or accept the deep ruts throughout the year.

A project will be implemented this summer to bear-proof the Forest Service campgrounds. Food safes, lighting and improved garbage cans will be installed. With the increase in the grizzly population, efforts are being made to limit bear visits to the campgrounds.

The Forest Service will be conducting Sustainable Fire Community seminars July 22-25 in Island Park in an effort to help property owners protect the area from catastrophic fires. More info will be available, including locations as the time nears.

There is no money to fill and grade the craters in the access road to the boat launch at Big Springs. There is an effort underway to partner local volunteers and the Forest Service to fix the problem before someone loses a car.

The Vote

With the elections less than a week away, the “Say No to the National Monument” referendum has dominated the local discourse. The current administration has instituted their agenda even if it means disregarding the will of the populace.

Consider any of the issues subject to intense national debate: gay marriage, immigration policies, health care, Ebola quarantines or Islamic terrorism; the administration has overridden the views of the American people and hoped that the populace would eventually accept their actions.

With such a mindset, does anyone think that if the administration felt compelled to designate this area as a national monument, they would consider local input?  Not Likely! The best thing going for Island Park is that President Obama is from Hawaii and has focused his attention on designating a significant area of ocean surrounding the islands as a national monument. Hawaiian residents are sharing our concerns but seem to be in the crosshairs.

While someone else’s troubles are never a reason to rejoice, Island Park is in fly-over country and not likely to hold the attention of the current administration. The vote by Fremont County residents regarding the national monument next week is a good thing. Do not doubt that if the administration wanted to designate Island Park as a national monument, a “no vote” could not dissuade them.

Yellowstone Country Safety * One Last Walk *

The weather is going to break soon. Take one last walk along the river or drive up in the mountains before the snows hit. Island Park is a beautiful place.

Let Kids Be Kids

There is some confusion within our society over what activities are age-appropriate for the youth. Parents and caregivers may be jumping the gun in a rush to share interests or activities with their kids. A few recent examples brought this to mind.

On August 25^th a nine year old girl was taken by her parents to a gun range outside of Las Vegas. The local range instructor consented to giving the youngster an introduction to a fully automatic Uzi machine gun. While the mom was filming the “intro” the young novice was unable to control the muzzle climb and shot the instructor in the head, killing him. I gave my oldest daughter a single-shot .22 rifle for her 8^th birthday and taught her the importance of gun safety, but she was not allowed to shoot my more powerful weapons.

In a rush towards “tolerance”, grade school children are taught about alternative lifestyles through both school curriculum (in some cases) and the media. My 5 year old grandson asked earlier this year how one knows if one is gay or straight? I remember my surprise when I attended the sex education class in 8^th grade. I don’t think it is healthy to introduce the subject any earlier.

Watching vacationers this summer, some pre-teens were given 4 wheelers and allowed to drive vehicles capable of speeds in excess of 50 mph unsupervised on streets and trails. Kids are being given small, powerful ATVs when they use to be treated to those battery-powered toys that couldn’t do 5 mph.

A 9 year old should not be shooting an automatic weapon; a grade school child does not need to know about sexuality and a pre-teen should not be turned loose on a powerful motor vehicle. Without the maturity that comes with age, the young cannot see the consequences that may result from a bad choice in adult situations. Their life can be scarred forever in an instant.

The responsibility of a parent to know what skills and knowledge to teach one’s child includes WHEN to impart that information. Some adults are in a hurry to introduce the youth to the things that adults find important or fun. There is plenty of time for kids to grow up, why rush the process?

Medical Conditions and the Vacation

Vacations provide an opportunity to create a temporary distance from life’s stresses and recharge the batteries. Island Park provides a great atmosphere to decompress. Vacationing does not include neglecting your health issues. Many visitors this summer have experienced health problems requiring emergency medical attention.

Medical conditions stay with you and must be managed. It is easy to postpone personal care when you are engaged in enjoyable activities. While on a four-wheeler ride through the pine forest, checking your blood sugar may be forgotten. Gathering the family together for a float down the Henry’s Fork seems much more important than giving attention to a few slight chest pains.

Inattention to your health details can turn your vacation into a personal and family crisis. So while you are enjoying Island Park and leaving your world behind, be proactive with your medical conditions.

1.           Take your medication on time. Carry it with you along with a bottle of water, a syringe or whatever device necessary to administer your meds.
2.      Notify others in your party of any personal medical conditions, including food allergies.
3.            Instruct others in your party how to recognize the symptoms and respond if your medical condition should arise.
4.      For serious existing conditions, wear a medical alert pendant or bracelet.
5.      Do not dismiss early warning symptoms because it is inconvenient. A visit to the Island Park’s Clinic (next to Pond’s Lodge) is much more convenient than a helicopter flight to the hospital in Idaho Falls.

Be safe and have a great vacation in Yellowstone Country!

That was a Busy Weekend!

If you have ever organized a family reunion, you know that there is uncertainty about how many family members and guests are going to show up. You make preparations based on your best guess and cross your fingers. The Fourth of July in Island Park is similar for the residents. Businesses order inventories according to their best estimates, county and city services staff to meet expected demand and everyone hopes that their preparations are sufficient.

This Fourth of July weekend seemed to tax those preparations as the gathering in Island Park was well attended by visitors wanting to celebrate our country’s birthday in one of its most beautiful locations. Employees worked hard to attend to lines of customers that descended on the various establishments.

The emergency medical services were busy attending to both medical conditions and accidents. Fremont County Deputies worked tirelessly reminding visitors to avoid activities that would injure themselves or others.

I do not want to be accused of exaggerating the size of the crowds but I could have walked the Henry’s Fork from Big Springs to Mack’s Inn without getting wet using boats as stepping stones!

With the end of any holiday comes the recovery. It is a little like coming down from a sugar high. For the businesses and services of Island Park, there is no time to rest. The crowds diminish somewhat, there are many visitors yet to come this summer who have been looking forward to their vacation all year and it is the residents’ responsibility to make sure they are not disappointed.

Yellowstone Country Safety * No Fireworks in the Mountains *

Private fireworks create a serious fire danger in the Island Park area.  Please save them for when you return home. Thank You.

One Pile is Better Than Two

Back in the 60’s Arlo Guthrie wrote the song Alice’s Restaurant. It is a nineteen minute opus about a hippie that does a favor for his Thanksgiving dinner hosts. He hauls a load of garbage to the dump, only to find out that it is closed for the holiday. He drives by a trash-filled ravine on the way home and reasons that one large pile of garbage is better than two small ones. Since he cannot bring the existing pile up, he threw his pile down. He was later arrested for littering.

I was reminded of Arlo’s story last week when I was cutting wood near a power line road. I came upon a couple hauling a trailer full of slash (tree limbs). They advised that the power company had trimmed trees along the road and their plan was to dump their slash there and let the utility dispose of their debris. One pile was better than two.

Island Park has a slash dump north of the old Hungry Bear Store on Meadow Creek Road. Its hours are:

Tuesday and Thursday 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Trees, bushes and other plant material can be dropped off free of charge. The slash dump minimizes fire danger by allowing property owners to remove flammable debris. It also limits what gets dumped in the landfill, extending its life. In October, the slash pile is set on fire and the site is cleared for the following summer.

After offering the slash dump information to the couple, they decided that the county’s slash pile was the appropriate location to dump their debris. It was a much better outcome than Arlo’s.

Living with the Wildlife

Sheri recently pointed out a YouTube video that was filmed in Wyoming. A visiting snowmobiler was driving on a trail when he came upon a bull moose blocking his path. He began revving his engine and aggressively inching upon the moose in an attempt to force him off the trail. The agitated animal did not flee but charged the snowmobile. As the bull backed off after the first charge, the snowmobiler pulled a pistol and emptied the clip into the animal. He drove past the carcass proudly as he continued his ride.

Spending time in mountain country requires one to learn how to live with the wildlife. Everyone enjoys the site of a moose grazing in the river or a bear crossing a mountain meadow but the wildlife never remain in their designated sites. River otters burrow under porches, moose crop trees in yards until they are unrecognizable and grizzlies scour home sites for any food or garbage left out.

To avoid conflicts between yourself and the wildlife you study their basic habits. You can avoid actions that draw them into a confrontation.

Take bears for example; there are two ways to run into bear problems: baiting or surprising them. If you leave food out, bears will find it. Garbage, bird feeders, a dead fish or a full cooler will all entice bears into a visit. Walking on mountain trails or especially through thick vegetation presents the opportunity to surprise a grizzly. A surprised bear will likely charge to defend his space. Walking cautiously through the mountains and avoiding areas like willows where your vision is severely obstructed always makes sense.

Avoid encroaching on wildlife with young. All new mothers are aggressive. Any animal that seems upset by your presence is telling you to back off. Quickly retreat while not turning away.

Be cautious in the mountains and you will have a great visit in Yellowstone Country.

Power Outage

Sunday morning opened with beautiful Memorial Weekend weather. The serenity of the mountains had not yet been interrupted by the sound of four wheelers. As the clock approached 9 am, a failure in Idaho Falls interrupted the grid for the entire mountain from Ashton Hill to West Yellowstone.

The merchants were most immediately affected. With cash registers and gas pumps down, commerce came to a screeching halt.  Doug at Robin’s Roost calmly sat in a booth at the back of the store while assuring customers that the electricity would be reestablished soon as he checked for power company updates.

Chad at Mack’s Inn was beginning the second operational day of his new ice cream store when he was hit with no power, hence no refrigeration.  Making the best of the situation, he enthusiastically proclaimed all ice cream 50% off. Using ice from the nearby convenience store, the ice cream survived the crisis. Chad did mention that he was considering a backup generator.

I appreciated the calmness with which the merchants dealt with the power crisis which had interrupted their first busy retail weekend of the season. They reminded me of a duck on a pond. No matter fast a duck franticly paddles, above the surface he appears calm.

Returning to the cabin, I was faced with the one area of power loss that could not be ignored. Wells do not supply water when there is no power to the pumps. All of Island Park is on well water. Showers, dishes and laundry can wait but toilets, not so much! Grabbing a couple of 5 gallon buckets, I headed down to the river to fill them. Other bucket toting residents made the same pilgrimage. Ten gallons of water was enough to keep the toilet tank full until the power was restored.

The power was restored in stages beginning around noon. It was after 3:00pm before it was restored at Mack’s Inn.

Yellowstone Country Safety * Mack's Inn Landing *

It appears that a Mexican restaurant is coming to Mack’s Inn Landing.

Interesting!

Fireworks in Island Park

It was a dark, drizzly Fourth of July night when the crack of fireworks summoned me from our cabin. I was shocked to see that someone was lighting aerial fireworks through the trees of a nearby cabin. 

While the media focus on the danger of a Yellowstone super volcano eruption, the most likely source danger for the area is from a forest fire. A large fire could devastate entire communities in Island Park.

I made some recent inquiries regarding Fremont County fireworks laws. I found that there are none on the books. There are Federal laws prohibiting fireworks in national forests but those laws are not enforceable by county or state law enforcement. I suggested to both the county commissioners and Sheriff Len Humphries that specific limitations on fireworks for the Island Park area be considered.

The case could be made that use of personal fireworks in Island Park is not worth the possibility of a devastating fire. While residents take the appropriate steps to be safe, vacationers may not be as cautious.

With the pending arrival of the summer visitors to Island Park, residents are busy preparing for the extra company. The swelling population always raises concerns for the safety of vacationers and residents alike. Proactive steps allow everyone to have a great summer in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Yellowstone Country Safety * Spring Mountain Weather *

Ahhh, spring time in the mountains of Idaho. If you don’t like the weather, wait ten minutes and something else will come along!

Someone Kicked a Hornet’s Nest

The responsiveness of local government was on display at the Island Park Community meeting with the Fremont County Commissioners. The topic was the Island Park National Monument study initiated by Fremont County Planning and Building Department.

The capacity crowd left no doubt that there was widespread interest in the future of Island Park. Tom Cluff, the administrator of the Fremont County Planning and Building Dept., indicated that in response to chatter of possible consideration of National Monument designation, the county had decided to be proactive. A HUD grant was obtained to conduct a study of the Island Park caldera in the hope of heading off such a designation.

The commissioning of the study was interpreted as county government approval of the National Monument. This perception was reinforced when Jan Brown of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition was hired by the County as a consultant for the study. It was assumed that the continuing restrictions within Yellowstone Park would bleed over into Island Park if the same voices were involved.

Mr. Cluff announced that the study had been called off and that there was no interest in promoting a National Monument. He advised that there was still seventy five thousand dollars of HUD money available to conduct a yet to be determined study.

After his presentation, each County Commissioner took their turn apologizing for the misunderstanding and promising to do all in their power to discourage the monument designation. To their credit, three more humble public servants I had not seen.

This is precisely why local control is so important. When politicians deal with friends and neighbors, the opinions of those residents are much more important.

A proposal made at the meeting was to put the question on November’s ballot, asking Fremont County voters if they are in favor of a National Monument designation. The response would arm county officials if the designation ever gathers steam. Not a bad idea.

As far as the $75K still kicking around, I would suggest that the county study how to protect habitat and wildlife while improving the experience in Island Park for ATV/snowmobile riders, hunters, anglers, campers and hikers.

Easter Weekend and Yellowstone Park

A car commercial that portrayed the Muppets driving to Old Faithful aired recently. Sheri pointed out that it had been better than half a year since we had driven into the Park.  Easter weekend seemed like the appropriate time to visit Yellowstone Park and observe the resurrection of the forest from its winter slumber.  Saturday was sunny and warm, just perfect. The roads were clear as we drove to Madison Junction. Passing a few elk road side, it was nice not to deal with the multitude of vehicles stopped to observe the animals during the summer season. Turning south towards the geyser basin, we saw several bison as they grazed on the newly sprouting grass and basking in the warmth of the sun.

We made the pilgrimage to Old Faithful and sat with the sparse crowd and enjoyed the eruption. That done, it was time for lunch! I had prepared some tuna and thrown it in cooler along with cans of Diet Coke for me and Diet Pepsi for Sheri (Who says that mixed marriages don’t work?). Sheri brought the chips but someone forgot to pack the bread. I am sure it was me, just ask my wife.  We hit up the Snow Lodge store and picked up a four dollar sleeve of Ritz Crackers.

Satisfying our hunger with impromptu finger food, we headed north to Gibbon Falls. Before reaching the falls, we passed a nice herd of bison grazing on a mountainside. One new calf was already visible and several cows were waiting for the relief that comes with calving. The water thundering down the falls was brown with the sediment of the spring runoff.

It was nice being in the park again but the daylight was coming to an end. It was time to get back to the cabin. We are blessed with having such a beautiful slice of nature so close.

By the way, the commercial shows a rock wall between Old Faithful and the car. There is no rock wall around the geyser. They shot the car and rock wall in studio, green screening in Old Faithful. The park is much more enjoyable if you really go there.

Island Park National Monument and Bunkerville

The recent events near Bunkerville, Nevada raise concerns about how the Federal Government deals with local citizenry. When rancher Cliven Bundy challenged the BLM over grazing fees and the protection of the desert tortoise, both sides were so entrenched in their opinions until it escalated into an armed confrontation.

The locals in Bunkerville have been living a particular lifestyle on public lands for well over a hundred years.  Federal land managers concluded that the existence of the desert tortoise was threatened by the grazing of cattle.  The heavy-handed response by the BLM included armed troops, dogs and Tasers.

The government evacuation of the cattle during calving season only exacerbated the animosity held by the Bundy camp and their supporters. As each side armed and stood toe to toe, they were one bad move away from a Waco or Ruby Ridge disaster. It was the intervention of the Clark County Sheriff that convinced the federal government to withdraw, avoiding bloodshed. When local people are employed by any law enforcement agency, they tend to use more common sense and compassion than those who are imported to deal with complex situations.

An Island Park National Monument may come with benefits but the designation comes with more Federal control. There is less concern for the lifestyles of local residents. There is also an increased vulnerability from outside pressure groups to change the land usage based on their ideology.

There is already too much tension in this country over Federal control. Things are almost to a boil. Inviting additional control and tension here will serve no one well. The confrontation over tortoises and grazing in Nevada could be sparked by grizzlies, hunting and 4-wheelers here.

There is a meeting at the EMS building on April 23^rd at 6:00pm. During this meeting the county commissioners will address the proposed National Monument. It would behoove anyone interested to attend. 

The Yellowstone Volcano is About to Erupt …… NOT!

Recently several postings were circulating on the internet regarding an impending eruption of the Yellowstone super volcano. Sheri was contacted on Facebook by concerned friends from as far away as Florida. Indicators cited as predictors of this cataclysm was the recent 4.8 earthquake in the park and a video that showed bison fleeing Yellowstone to avoid the impending devastation.

While the earthquake was stronger than recent quakes, it was one of thousands that occur in Yellowstone area every year.  The University of Utah has an extensive web of seismic monitoring stations throughout the park.  If volcanic activity was building to an eruption, indicators would be noted and reported immediately.

Regarding the fleeing bison herds, the video cited was filmed by Leo Leckie, a sales associate of the nonprofit Yellowstone Assn., an educational partner of Yellowstone National Park. It was taken on March 14, 2014 and shows a herd of bison running into the park from Mammoth Hot Springs after the snows receded, according to Mr. Leckie.

I am not sure why the need to interpret the normal activities of nature as indicators of calamity. There is always fascination with the cataclysmic. Some feel compelled to congregate on a remote hill waiting for Armageddon. Others decry the eating of meat or the use of fossil fuels in the need to reduce global warming. There is recognition in the foretelling a calamity.  The larger the calamity, the more attention and money is available. With the passage of time, one group is left on a hill top and the other is stuck with solar panels, wind turbines, clown cars and soy burgers. The earth continues on its own path. The prophets of doom may proclaim that their calendars were off, but their crusade is too important to abandon.

Those who find the need to obsess over such calamities should attend a showing of the movie “Noah” and leave the rest of us alone. We are too busy living to get sidetracked with delusions!

Island Park’s Giant Salt Lick

With spring’s arrival, I began contemplating summer. That led me to reflect on the number of big game animals that were struck by vehicles in Island Park last year. My instinct was to blame the rise on increasing traffic or the 65 mph speed limit. I asked a knowledgeable resident last week if he had any thoughts about the escalating wildlife collisions, he proffered that the use of salt solution to de-ice the highway attracts wildlife to the right of way.

I hadn’t considered the possibility that the brine was creating a danger to big game animals, but it made sense. Spraying the solution repeatedly on highway 20 over the winter turns the road through the caldera into a 30 mile long salt lick. If the moose, elk, deer and antelope are drawn to the highway, they are one wrong turn from a deadly encounter with a motor vehicle.

I Googled the topic of “road salt attracting wildlife” and found a list of state government sites (especially in New England) which indicate that they have been aware of this problem for some time. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services posts this information on their web site:

“Road salt in the environment affects the health of wildlife, including birds and mammals. Birds, the most sensitive wildlife species to salt, often mistake road salt crystals for seeds or grit. Consumption of very small amounts of salt can result in toxicosis and death within the bird population. Wildlife such as deer and moose are also attracted to the roadway to ingest salt crystals, which leads to higher incidents of vehicular accidents and wildlife kills. Particularly high concentrations of sodium and chloride can be found in snow melt, which many animals drink to relieve thirst and potentially can cause salt toxicity including dehydration, confusion and weakness, among other symptoms. Road salt can cause a decline among populations of salt sensitive species reducing natural diversity. Damage to vegetation can have significant impact on wildlife habitat by destroying food resources, shelter and breeding and nesting sites, and by creating a favorable environment for non-native invasive species.”

http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/wmb/was/salt-reduction-initiative/impacts.htm

It seems counterproductive to invite people to vacation in Island Park, attract large wildlife to the highway and hope that the visitors can survive the gauntlet.

Those in charge of snow removal on Highway 20 might want to reconsider their options. In the meantime, it would seem prudent to increase the number of “Beware of Wildlife” signs on the highway. There are numerous “Snowmobile Crossing” signs already in place. It would not require much time or money to add the additional folding signs to the posts.