Thinning the Herd

The tourist season hasn’t even officially begun and already several examples of Yellowstone Park idiocy have made their way to YouTube and news outlets. My first indication of a long and dangerous summer was when I watched a YouTube video of Asian tourists standing within arm’s length from the buffalo so they could take selfies with the animals. If that wasn’t dangerous enough, there was a video posted of visitors to the park attempting to pet the bison.

The ultimate display of idiocy occurred when an adult male Canadian tourist thought that a buffalo calf appeared cold, loaded it into his SUV and carted it off to the park rangers. Shamsah Kassam of Quebec was cited for disturbing the wildlife… and the calf was put down after attempts to reintegrate it into the herd were unsuccessful.

Every year several individuals are killed or seriously injured by park wildlife. I know from my experience in Island Park that many visitors have no clue that the animals are wild. I have heard people inquire as to when the moose will be released each day. Others have called Fish and Game to complain the animals are out and eating the flowers in the yard, demanding that the officers retrieve them. Yellowstone Country apparently has the reputation of being the world’s largest petting zoo!

Some individuals laboring under this illusion are in for a very rough summer, perhaps their last. All of the animals of the Yellowstone bite, kick, gore, trample or eat you! Despite the programs on the National Geographic Channel showing the bears, elk, moose, bison and wolves as cute and sympathetic creatures, they consider humans either an annoyance, a danger or dinner… none of these classifications are good from a visitor’s prospective.

Those of you who wish to interact with the wildlife, I would recommend against it, but it is your choice. The next person to hoist a buffalo calf into his vehicle may find that he is face-to-face with momma! Being careless around the critters may result in the removal of your DNA from the gene pool. That’s Mother Nature’s way of saying that a few less idiots procreating may result in a safer environment for humans and wildlife. 

Local Candidate Forum Held in Island Park

I attended a candidate forum last Tuesday at the EMS building. The candidates for State Representative seats 35a and 35b, two Fremont County Commissioner positions and the Fremont County Prosecutor were in attendance. They were each given the opportunity to explain why they should be considered for the position and each responded to a few related questions submitted by the audience. Here are my impressions of the candidates based on the forum.

State Representative 35a

Van Burtenshaw (incumbent) was very much aware of the state budgeting process and expressed a commitment to take care of state workers and teachers. He also was proud of his assistance in opposing the Island Park National Monument by introducing the resolution in the state legislature.

Daniel Davis emphasized that he was a strict constitutionalist which would be great if he was running for national office. He proclaimed that according to the constitution, the federal government had no right to own any property and that all the national forest lands belong to the states. I have bad news for Mr. Davis, that ship sailed well over a century ago. Without presenting any specifics on what he would do if elected, I am not sure he would be an effective state representative.

State Representative 35b

Paul Romrell (incumbent) was also obviously very seasoned in the state budgeting process. He has been working to use the increase in the state gas tax to repair Highway 20 through the caldera. While this year is going to be only patching, chip and seal, he hopes to have the road rebuilt within the next couple of years.

Karey Hanks is a local school bus driver who also identified herself as a strict constitutionalist. She spent most of her time telling of hours spent with local school children, conveying the importance and her love of the constitution. She was less clear about what she hoped to accomplish if elected.

Fremont County Prosecutor

Karl Lewies (incumbent) is a polished attorney who spent his time addressing the complaints issued against him by his opponent. He explained that he handles the criminal prosecutions and that his deputy handles the civil actions, including the Commissioners’ meetings. He does case preparation on Mondays for upcoming trials and the meetings are also on Mondays. Regarding his private practice, he advised that since Fremont County is not the hotbed of criminal activity, he has intermittent time that is available. He uses the time productively to practice law in his private practice. 

Marcia Murdoch presented two issues regarding Mr. Lewies that she felt needed to be addressed. First, Mr. Lewies does not attend the County Commissioners’ meetings but delegates that duty to his deputy. Second, Mr. Lewies maintains a private practice while serving as county attorney. Ms. Murdoch promised to attend the Commissioners’ meetings personally and not maintain a private practice. Regardless of whether one thinks that these issues are important, at least someone studied and found areas to distinguish themselves from their rival. 

Fremont County Commissioners

The county commissioners have made several mistakes over the last few years that have caused many to question their judgement.

Let’s pick three:

The county commissioners hired Jan Brown and Tom Cluff. The two of them got involved in what amounted to encouraging outside organizations interested in establishing the Island Park National Monument. Residents throughout Fremont County have spent hundreds of hours working to offset the damage caused by the county employees.

The 150 percent increase in the landfill fee was a result of a failure to act in a timely manner. The closing of the Saint Anthony landfill has been pending for almost a decade and some of the expenses involved in that task should have been foreseen. A modest fee increase several years ago dedicated to that task would have avoided such a burdensome increase.

The City of Teton declined an application to rezone a rural property in a residential area near the river to allow a multi-acre open gravel pit. The County Commissioners overruled the local planning/zoning committee and allowed the pit. The City sued the County and the County lost. It cost the County $13,000 for the legal fees of the City of Teton.

Fremont County Commissioner

Leroy “Lee” Miller (incumbent) discussed the procured grant to widen and improve the Yale-Kilgore Road. He also discussed the commissioners’ commitment to opposing the national monument. He also admitted that the county made a mistake in approving the gravel pit and getting stuck with Teton’s legal fees.

Larry Singleton is a rancher who expressed a desire to add the perspective of the agri-businesses of Fremont County. He was concerned about spending but left little meat on the bones when discussing the inadequacies or mistakes of the current commissioners.

Fremont County Commissioner

Jordon Stoddard touted his on-site supervision of the county employees and his personal response to county residents’ concerns. He defended Jan Brown and Tom Cluff, disagreeing with the characterization of their involvement in the national monument fiasco.

Val Hammond is also involved in agri-business and seemed to be well organized. The increasing county budget was also his main concern. He discussed the thirteen thousand dollars that the county had to be after losing a lawsuit filed by the city of Teton over a zoning mistake made by the county.

Idaho has the advantage of being a conservative state. None of these races are as dramatic as picking between Bernie Sanders and Ted Cruz. All of the candidates are good people. Local voters have some interesting choices in the upcoming primary election. Good Luck!

The Summer Residents are Arriving!

With the melting of the last vestiges of winter come the summer’s residents of the caldera. Some are wanted and appreciated, while others are detested. Some provide vital functions to the area, while others are simply nuisances. There are even a few summer residents that are destructive and should be shot!

I know what you are thinking. How bad are his neighbors? I’m talking about the returning wildlife to Island Park.  The first summer residents were the flocks of birds that began emptying our bird feeders daily while waiting for the ground to clear of snow. The flats greeted the returning herd of antelope with its emerging grass, on which they could be seen grazing. The elk and deer began moving to the caldera from the lower elevations where they wintered. Raptors have begun constructing nests on the man-made platforms installed for their convenience.

On the flip side, the seagulls are back. The winter’s congregation of ravens has been overrun with the flocks of seagulls that descend on the county landfill. The dominating gulls also overrun Big Springs, consuming any food offered to the ducks or trout. One has to almost push them out of the way to walk on the bridge walkway and avoid their white, post-modern impressionist graffiti that they have applied to the bridge.

The pelicans have also returned. They are large and somewhat majestic birds but gluttons. Each gorging themselves on hundreds of pounds of trout, conservation has never been their concern. All that matters to them is that they satisfy their insatiable appetite.

Life in the caldera is always in an ebb and flow. The enjoyment of spending time here is watching the transitions occur. Nature always finds its balance but I am not adverse to those who offer a little assistance in maintaining that balance.  I am just saying …..

Sometimes I have to Tune Out

The wrap up of the presidential primaries can’t come too soon for me. It is getting indigestibly stupid. The Republican front-runner Mr. Trump continually hurls insults at his competitors, apparently auditioning his best impersonation of Don Rickles in case this political thing doesn’t work out.

Hillary Clinton leads the elderly socialist, Bernie Sanders for the Democrat Party nomination. She alternates between screaming monotone rants and disingenuous attempts at being hip or funny. Both approaches create the same reaction as fingernails on a chalkboard and remind me of an ex-wife that I’d rather forget.

Fortunately I have the option of turning off the media and spending time in the forest. It is an irrefutable fact that the high country has the ability to calm one’s nerves when they are being rubbed raw by politicians. I am concerned that as the political silly season continues, more of this country’s citizens will discover this truth while vacationing in Island Park this summer. They may decide to not return home and seek sanctuary in the caldera. The increase in population will shatter September’s calm and screw up the bow hunt!

If residents begin hearing visitors contemplating the move to Island Park, I suggest that you emphasize the cold winter weather, deep snow and frozen water pipes. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to remind them that there is little shopping in the caldera and no movie theaters. I realize that this may appear selfish but remember that you are doing them a service!

After their first winter, they many will flee back to the flat and the glut of cabins on the market will drive down real estate prices. They will have to sell their property at a loss. Make their financial well-being a priority and discourage tourists from moving to Island Park. It is your humanitarian duty.

Damage Uncovered by the Receding Snow

As the warm weather chases away the last winter’s snow, cabin damage is unveiled. It is not unusual to see a piece of shredded metal roofing protruding from a melting pile of slide-off.

Last week while checking a few unoccupied cabins, I came across a partially collapsed roof over a hot tub and a framed-in chimney. Last week while checking a few unoccupied cabins, I came across a partially collapsed roof over a hot tub and a framed-in chimney that had torn away from a cabin’s roof. 

 The damage in both instances had Last week while checking a few unoccupied cabins, I came across a partially collapsed roof over a hot tub and a framed-in chimney. Last week while checking a few unoccupied cabins, I came across a partially collapsed roof over a hot tub and a framed-in chimney that had torn away from a cabin’s roof. 

Living in Island Park year-round provides a unique opportunity to witness the stress that winter inflicts on building in the caldera. Shopping for properties in Island Park usually occurs in the summer months. The area presents itself as a forested paradise, with no hint of the harsh winter months ahead. Cabins are built or purchased without consideration of snow-load, ice dams, snow removal or other equally important realities.

The newly-purchased cabin is enjoyed until Labor Day and then winterized. The owners return in the late spring to find that the cabin has been damaged and in need of repairs. It is far less expensive and emotionally draining to make arrangements with local residents to watch after the unattended cabin during the off-seasons and report any possible problems. Quick action can avoid or limit damage to the structures.

During the summer months, local contractors can also evaluate a property and suggest any changes that may help the structure winter safely. Prevention is always the cheapest way to deal with the caldera’s winters.

Island Park has its own set of unique challenges and the sooner one familiarizes oneself with them, the more enjoyable the stay.

The Circle of Life Continues …..

Last week Sheri’s mother, Linda Knutson passed away. While not unexpected, her death was not anticipated. Sheri’s relationship with her mother, like my relationship with my father was distant prior to their passing. Life begins and ends on its own terms. We are just along for the ride. The ride includes joy, sadness, accomplishments and regrets.

The relationships we cultivate can be the source of our greatest fulfillment. Unfortunately all relationships do not enjoy equal success. Like seeds, they sprout and bloom. Without maintenance and care, they can wither and die. Some of those we love follow paths that lead them away from us. Expressing a bond to loved ones who have isolated themselves, while hoping for reunification feels like standing on uneven ground.  The more invested you are in a relationship; the more pain must be endured when things are stretched thin. I have experienced both joy of a successful reunification and the disappointment of complete detachment from a loved one.

Island Park has given Sheri and me a beautiful setting to cultivate the relationships that we hold so dear. The caldera also provides a little bait to hook the grandkids into a little non-electronic bonding time.  Floating down Box Canyon or Big Springs, hiking along the Henry’s Fork or sitting around the campfire burning marshmallows give us the opportunity to express our interest in those we love. Island Park has also given us opportunities to develop wonderful relationships with many residents of the high country. For those opportunities we are truly grateful.

We all live with the regret of relationships not salvaged. I choose to look back on those relationships and relive the good times that we shared. Focusing on the negative is neither healthy nor productive. I am grateful for the time that someone has shared with me, no matter how fleeting.

I Almost Forgot What Dirt Looked Like

The spring and mud season has kicked into high gear after a few early fits and starts. Daytime temperatures are forecast to exceed fifty degrees on a regular basis mixed with occasional rain showers signals the demise of the white blanket that has covered the caldera for the past six months. With the demise of the snow on the horizon comes the list of jobs to be accomplished before next fall’s snow arrives.

The first items on the list revolve around cleaning up from winter’s embrace. Shoveling snow from items long buried whose usefulness has grown with the appearance of dirt and channeling the runoff away from buildings. Rounding up broken pine boughs and cleaning up after dogs after six months of snow hiding the chore not done.

Hope to recover tools dropped in the snow over the winter increases as the snow level drops. Perhaps most of all, the projects that were either unfinished or not yet begun begin to move to the “To DO” list. There are the spring projects like removing trees and stumps while the soil is moist. Late spring brings with it the beginning of construction work; the mid-summer schedule includes roof repair and logging firewood. In five months, hunting season begins and the year’s projects must be completed.

But for now there is a lull while the ground is not ready for the real work to commence, giving us a little calm before the storm. That is one of my favorite aspects of mud season. The other part of spring that I relish is witnessing the slow unveiling of the forest floor. It is a friend that I have missed for half a year and I have looked forward to our reunion. The loss of each foot of snow increases my anticipation.

Witnessing the renewal of forest is an experience not enjoyed by many. I consider myself lucky to be able to share this experience with my wife and friends. We are blessed.

Spring Ushers in the Political Silly Season

The arrival of spring brings with it the increasingly intense political drama associated with the presidential primaries.

Let us review the current state of affairs.

Donald Trump became furious when a third-rate new super pac in Utah published an ad on-line containing a tasteful nude photo of Trump’s wife. The photo was taken by a fashion magazine for international distribution during Mrs. Trump’s modeling career. The Donald focused his anger at the photo’s publication into an attack on the looks and mental health of Ted Cruz’s wife. Ted Cruz responded by denying any association with the super pac and calling Trump a coward for attacking Ted’s wife.

Donald Trump’s campaign manager Corey Lewandowski was charged in Jupiter, Florida with misdemeanor battery after an altercation with a young female reporter.

Halfway through the primary, Governor John Kasich has won only a single state (Ohio, his home state) and has deluded himself into thinking that he can win the contest. His rationale is that since he is the son of a lowly postal carrier and his story is too important to be overlooked.

On the Democrat side of the isle, Bernie Sanders, a self-proclaimed socialist has actually been finding a large constituency within the party.  Despite a nineteen trillion dollar national debt, his proposals of free college and other social spending are attractive to many who find their opportunities limited. A small bird landed on his podium a week ago and many took it as a sign that he was anointed to accede to the presidency.

Hillary Clinton has amassed enough “super delegates” to assure her nomination despite being regularly beaten by Bernie. While campaigning, she is under investigation by over 150 FBI agents for maintaining classified information on a private server in her New York residence.  

While this drama was going on, the president was attending a baseball game in Cuba with the Castros and dancing the tango in Argentina.

If a writer submitted these events as an outline for a soap opera, the concept would be rejected as too unbelievable to green-light.

Heavy Traffic on a Lonely River

Recently a friend who owns a cabin on the bank of the Henry’s Fork, told me about a critter that had been living in his cabin’s attic. The unwelcome guest was leaving a pungent odor that permeated the entire structure, much to the displeasure of summer guests.

My friend, Ron “Beaver” Hay and I took up the challenge to rid the cabin of this annoyance. Our first mission was to scout out the scene, determine the identity of the offender and form a plan of attack.

Ascending the cabin’s attic stairs, we recognized the musky scent of a member of the weasel family. The droppings clustered in the corners confirmed our suspicions. All evidence pointed to a mink or pine marten using the space between the interior walls to gain access to his penthouse. Checking the exterior of the cabin, we found an active burrow under the front porch that provided the animal access under the cabin and allowing him a path up the interior wall.

Beaver and I began our attack. First, we set a trail camera that would monitor the burrow entrance under the porch. Second, we set a live trap in the attic baited with part of a frozen squirrel. Luckily I keep a squirrel in our freezer for such situations, but then … doesn’t everyone?

The first week the trap was empty but we did pick up a couple photos of a mink and a squirrel. 

There were a lot of moose and marten tracks around the cabin as well.

Later we got photos of an otter, a fox and more squirrels.

Last week I checked the trap and found that a large mink had sought to dine on a meal of squirrel in the cabin’s attic. The uninvited guest was removed from the premise without incident.

I was amazed while conducting this task at the variety of wildlife active in the immediate vicinity of the cabin. Some animals looking for shelter in or under the cabin. Other critters were looking to feed on the sheltering animals. Despite the apparent loneliness of the Henry’s Fork in winter, there is a bustling world of animal activity to see if you take the time to look.

Slush is Clean Mud

As daytime temperatures in the caldera consistently hover above freezing, the snow begins to melt. Slush is simply the transition from snow to mud.  Unlike the snow in the valleys, the snow does not disappear like the truth during a political campaign. The snow softens and condenses into a heavy slush that freezes at night and thaws by day. Adding to the slush are weekly additions of wet snow which actually increases the depth of the slog.

Driving through mountain slush is just as difficult as driving through mud. Your vehicle sinks in it, traction is impossible and if you hit a deep spot, your vehicle comes to an abrupt halt. Walking in it is just as difficult. After sinking down to your knees, your efforts to extricate your foot from each step results in your boot getting almost sucked off of your foot. The only advantage to slush over mud is your feet are cleaner when you extricate them!

There is no way to navigate around slush. It is too heavy to remove with a snow blower. You can’t dig a path through it because the semi-liquid immediately fills in any hole as it’s made. One accepts that the slush wade is inevitable for a while.

With the arrival of mud season is the certainty that the appearance of the ground is not far behind. With the change comes the anticipation that projects postponed for six months can begin. Objects that were dropped in the snow many moons ago suddenly reappear. Snow machines replace the ATVs at the rear of the garage as their owners anticipate the opening of the trails. After seven months of white, it will be nice to see green again!

Cries of Grief Echo across the Caldera

Two tragedies rocked Island Park last week. Thursday evening Ronald “RJ” Cardwell was killed when the Jeep he was driving south on Highway 20 near Riverside Campground crossed the center line and was struck by an oncoming semi-truck.

RJ was the owner of Pond’s Lodge. He purchased the iconic property and undertook the enormous project of updating the business. During a time when many of the aging log commercial buildings have been abandoned and left to rot, RJ threw himself into making the Pond’s Lodge into a modern and attractive business. The enormous Pine Tree adorned with Christmas lights that stands in front of Pond’s is a reminder of the gift that RJ left to the caldera. He will be missed but his mark on the community will endure.

Less than 24 hours later the roof of a cabin located on the north side of the Henry’s Fork at Mack’s Inn slid, trapping three young girls. The two 7 year old children and a two year old were buried under seven feet of snow. Emergency personnel rushed to the scene and assisted family members in digging out the children. All three were unconscious when uncovered, stabilized and flown to local hospitals. The two-year-old Halle Merrill succumbed to her injuries despite the efforts of all involved. Halle’s sister and cousin were hospitalized at EIRMC’s pediatric unit.

The weight of this tragedy was born by residents throughout Island Park. The joy of a snowy vacation at grandpa’s cabin suddenly turning into the horrific loss of one’s baby in the blink of an eye is everyone’s worst nightmare. As the Merrill family copes with their reality, it breaks our collective heart. A FUNDLY page has been set up to help the parents, Chris and Cindy Merrill with the costs of this tragedy. It can be accessed at: https://fundly.com/halle-merrill#.

It is the hope of Sheri and me those who are grieving may find comfort in some small way by the love and prayers of those who reside in Island Park.

     

Is the Cabin Haunted?

When Sheri and I moved to Island Park four years ago, we brought our malamute, Aspen along for the adventure. She quickly took to mountain life, making friends of our neighbors. Last year she made a new friend and presented us with two puppies, Boots and Socks. That is how we became a three dog family. The black and white lab/malamute-cross puppies have enough energy to provide power for the entire caldera if only it could be harnessed.

Not inclined to stay home, we keep them in the cabin until late evening when they are allowed to run. When I leave the cabin, Aspen usually lays in the driveway until I return. Over the past few weeks Boots and Socks have escaped from the cabin several times while I have been away. Sheri suggested that I was negligent for not completely shutting the door and tasked me with retrieving the dogs. What was really disconcerting was that each time the door was standing wide open. Had the puppies pawed at the ajar door and opened it wide before making their dash to freedom? I began wondering if the cabin had become haunted by a door-opening ghost or was age finally taking its toll on me.

The other day I cleared the snow out of the dog run so Boots and Socks could enjoy the sunny weather. I left Aspen outside to lie in the sun and returned inside to work on the computer. After about an hour I felt a cold breeze blow through the cabin. Walking into the TV room, the door was standing wide open and Aspen was lying comfortably on the floor.

This summer I changed the front door handle from a knob to a lever. Aspen learned how to open the door and let herself in. She is a smart dog that knows what she wants and I appreciate her initiative. I wonder if I can teach her to close the door behind her.

Living in the Collective Basement

The rise in popularity of avowed socialist Bernie Sanders is a phenomenon that would have horrified the citizenry a decade ago. Proposing systematic wealth confiscation and redistribution was considered political suicide until recently. What happened?

There are a few social changes that are responsible for the rise in acceptably of the socialist philosophy.

The first is the coming of age of the Woodstock generation. The 1960’s radicals invaded public education. It was one of the few fields where they were accepted and provided with a regular paycheck.  As true zealots, they preached their brand of utopia to their students relentlessly and condemned dissent from their orthodoxy.

The second precipitating event was the rise of crony capitalism. The appearance of the bad mortgages and derivatives were only a few of the obvious signs that the free market was being gamed by the financial services and the political class. With the advent of stock options as compensation, the long-term health of a company was no longer the focus of the management. Annual reports determined their compensation and that compensation was enormous. Two or three years of gutting the company while looking profitable on paper made it possible for the executives to bail from their positions with millions of dollars lining their pockets. When the financial collapse hit eight years ago, the same executives retained their compensations while the taxpayers were left to pick up the tab. Those compensations should have been returned to the companies from which they were engineered.

Finally, the economy overseen by the current administration has been anemic. The current jobless rate is purported to be fewer than 5% (U-3) while the number of people who have dropped out of the workforce is enormous. If one adds those individuals into the equation (U-6) the unemployment is closer to 12%. The jobs that are available are lower in wage which allows politicians to make a case for increasing the minimum wage. At the same time, the Federal Reserve has been giving the banks interest free money which has pushed large investors into the stock market, inflating the price and increasing the wealth of the rich.

It is small wonder that so many Americans are disgusted with the current economic state of affairs. Many who have been either living in their parent’s basement or on public assistance can see no improvement in their future. They feel that their only option is relieving someone else of what has been deemed as obtained unfairly.

To negotiate ourselves through this quagmire, this country must return to the principle of the free market where the success or failure a company is based on their market acceptance. The unholy alliance between the public and private sector has got to end.

Leave it to Beaver

Last week I received a lesson in wiring the snow off the roof of my garage by Ron Hay.  Ron is a 77 year old Island Park resident who earned the nickname “Beaver” due to his trapping prowess. I have gotten to know Ron, his wife Nancy and son Ethan through my position as Ethan’s Scout leader. It was quickly apparent to me that Ron harbored an encyclopedia of mountain skills which he was eager to share upon request.  

While I have seen roof wiring done, I had never tackled it myself. The four feet of snow blanketing my garage presented me with the opportunity to learn the skill. While camping at Sheridan Ranch with Ron and Ethan, Ron was quick to give this rookie a lesson. Ron patiently walked me through the prep work of clearing the roof edges and shoveling off the peak. He instructed me on how to place the wire across the peak and he then completed the encirclement of one side of the roof with the wire. He pulled the wire through the snow until it broke loose and slid to the ground with a remarkably loud thud. We then repeated the procedure on the opposite side of the roof with the same result.

Ron was gracious enough to allow me to video and post my lesson on my YouTube Channel, “Base Camp with Mike and Sheri”. 

Many long-term residents of the caldera have valuable practical skills that make life in Yellowstone Country easier. Unfortunately they are too often overlooked. I appreciate the time that Beaver is spending imparting some of his knowledge to me. I am looking forward to the trapping lessons that he has promised me this fall.

It is a privilege to spend time with those who have learned how to coexist and thrive in the harsh and wild conditions of Island Park. 

Live to Tell of Your Vacation

The operation of any motor vehicle requires one’s total attention. It is not uncommon for the mind to wander while performing various tasks. It is during those wandering mental moments that you look up into your rearview mirror to be surprised by the flashing lights of a police vehicle and realize that your foot was a little too heavy on the gas pedal. Snowmobiles require dedicated concentration to maintain one’s safety.

Today’s snow machines are lighter, faster and have a higher center of gravity. These qualities may make for a more exciting experience but they can also amplify any operator mistakes. An error in judgement can result in serious injury or death. Recently two visiting snowmobilers were killed in separate accidents, on the same day. 

Both fatalities were single vehicle collisions with trees. The residents of Island Park grieve for those who lost their lives while visiting us.

Island Park’s beauty is in the untamed nature of the landscape. It is that quality that attracts visitors. The forest is not a forgiving place. This is not the Salt Flats at the Great Salt Lake! The presence of hazards is undeniable. Trees are everywhere. Snow-blanketed obstructions and blind or hairpin turns on the trails make riding exciting. Exciting can quickly morph into disaster during a moment of inattention.

Please be careful while riding throughout the caldera. Avoid alcohol until you have completed your ride. Slow down! If you can only take a corner at 35 mph in a car, what makes you think you can take the same turn at 70 mph on a sled? Pay attention to the terrain and error on the side of a safe ride.

No one is going to post your Go Pro video on YouTube if it ends with you going “splat” on a tree!

A Winter Campout at Sheridan Ranch

I had the opportunity to accompany the local Boy Scout troop to the Sheridan Ranch for an overnight outing last weekend. The ranch is a 32,000+ acre operation owned by Mr. Frank VanderSloot. We were allowed to “camp” in two of the cabins that house the ranch hands during the summer.

The four foot blanket of snow left only the tops of the fence posts visible as we approached the cabins. Entering the two buildings, we discovered that the floors, counters and furniture appeared to be covered with a blanket of black peppercorns. It was a layer of dead flies! Grabbing brooms and shovels we set to work rounding up the unwelcome house guests. After removing several gallons of insect remains, we built a fire in the fireplace and set about cooking dinner.

After dining on ham and potatoes, we unrolled our beds and called it a night. Morning began with a breakfast of ham, eggs and potatoes. Drew Oakey and I were accused of snoring in harmony during the night. Jerry Tingey offered an iPhone recording as evidence. I am sure that the recording was doctored!

With full bellies, we jumped on our sleds and headed to the reservoir for some ice fishing. The surface ice was slushy so everyone drilled a hole next to their sled. Sitting on a sled was preferable to standing in ice water while waiting for a bite. It wasn’t long before the fish began accepting the impaled offerings. Most fish were caught and released but a few large trout were taken home. Rance Dye rode his sled out to the ranch for the day. He was happy to be enjoying the activities that he loves again. His day was punctuated with the landing of a nice trout.

As the interest in fishing subsided, everyone dispersed to run their sleds across the freshly fallen powder. The scouts were safety conscious and stayed on the flatter terrain while some of the adults seemed bent on seeing who could get the most stuck. Finally as the afternoon waned, the scouts and leaders cleaned up the cabins and rode their sleds back to where the plows stop at the west end of Yale-Kilgore Road. We loaded the sleds onto the waiting trailers and headed for home.

It was a great time with great boys and enjoyable adults. Scouting and Island Park go so well together. We are blessed. I’d like to thank Mr. VanderSloot and Steve Hyde, manager of the Eagle Ridge Ranch for their generosity to the scouting program.

By the way, did you know that some flies that appear dead reanimate as they get warm? It’s true. I was dive-bombed while in my sleeping bag!  

A Winter Worthy of Winterfest

What a difference a year makes! Last year the snow plows were almost idle, the local sled dog race was cancelled and Randy Gravatt was swimming to shore because there wasn’t enough snow in Alaska for the Iron Dog Snowmobile Race. I didn’t even license my sled because there wasn’t enough snow to make it worthwhile.

The ensuing summer saw much of the western forests engulfed in fires that were aided by the lack of winter moisture. Island Park dodged that bullet but not by much as we saw a couple of late season fires crop up last fall.

With a solid three foot base throughout the caldera and a foot or more of fresh powder, it’s a great weekend for Winterfest. It is time to celebrate the moisture that we have been given by reveling in the activities that the glorious white blanket provides. The Island Park Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with other community organizations is sponsoring numerous outdoor events this weekend. Whether you want to ice fish, ride in a horse-drawn sleigh or snowmobile, there is an activity for you in the caldera this weekend.

It is difficult for some to pry themselves away from the warm confines of their home to spend time in the snow. This is the perfect weekend to make your move. The high temperatures are forecasted to be around 30 degrees and the lows around 20. Combine those conditions with fresh powder and a great group of people throwing a party and that is a recipe for a great weekend!

Celebrate the snow that we have been given this winter by participating with us in the activities of Winterfest. 

Keeping Our Water Clean

Last week I visited with John Brown, who is employed by Fremont County to oversee the Island Park sewer system. There were a couple of issues that will need to be addressed due to the increase in visitors and residences in the caldera.

The first issue is that the EPA is concerned with the amount of discharge emanating from the Last Chance sewage treatment operation. They are worried that excessive amounts of organic compounds will enter the Henry’s Fork, stimulating the growth of the river’s vegetation and damaging the river’s ecosystem. Their initial proposal was to impose a mandatory fifty percent reduction of treated waste water to the plant. This would present a serious problem to the Last Chance residents.  

John is exploring an alternative of planting trees, grass or some other type of harvestable crop in the sewage drain field. The concept is that plants would absorb the excess nutrients before reaching the water system. The plants would be harvested regularly and removed from the area.

The second issue he mentioned was that the growth in Shotgun will necessitate a sewer system within ten years. He indicated that pollution is becoming evident in the streams and ground water. He is in the process of searching for a federal source of funding for a possible sewer system.

Fortunately we have people like John who work to maintain the balance between the environment and those who love to spend time in Island Park.

Snow Machine Accidents Plague the Holidays

Last week I was visiting with a retired friend who was enjoying the company of his son and grandsons during the holidays. Noticing that his grandsons were riding snowmobiles, I asked if he ever rode with them. He responded that he didn’t ride much anymore. I encouraged him to hop on a sled and make a few memories with his family.

A couple of days later I received word by phone that my friend had been involved in a snowmobile accident and was being transported by ambulance to the hospital. My last words to him haunted me as I followed up on his condition. Several days later he was being fitted with a partial body cast.

During the holidays emergency crews were responding to several serious snowmobile accidents per day. Concussions, compound fractures, spine injuries and partial paralysis were just of few of the injuries incurred by vacationing sledders as they literally “hit the snowy trails”.

The lack of fatalities is a testament to the skill of the emergency response teams that serve the caldera. They respond at a moment’s notice, setting aside whatever they are doing to assist anyone in need. Island Park is very proud of their skill and devotion.

Here are a few tips to avoid having one’s winter memories become a dark cloud of disaster:

Check and work your throttle before riding. Make sure that it is smooth and does not stick. Ice crystals or other obstructions may jam your cable.

Know the area you intend to ride. Scout for any hazards that may cause a loss of control. One large snow mound can turn a speeding snowmobile into a missile and sleds don’t steer well when not in contact with the ground.

Slow Down! Many of today’s snow machines are light and capable of speeds that may be difficult to control. The adrenaline rush of speed is no compensation for the onset of depression created by an ambulance ride, rehab or permanent injury.

Beware of oncoming and cross traffic while on the trails. Stay to the right while riding and slow at all trail intersections. Be particularly aware of blind corners and treat them as if there is someone heading your direction.

Be safe and have a great time in the caldera. Make great memories that you can share with your grandkids

A Host of Friends

A close friend of mine occasionally brings me a couple of gallons of raw milk from a local dairy. My taste buds had been craving some Frosted Mini-Wheats drenched in the cream-rich milk. I received a call informing me that a delivery was on its way. When my friend arrived, he apologized for being tardy in dropping off the two one-gallon milk bottles but had been distracted by the hefty snowfall of the past few days.

As he opened the back of his vehicle to retrieve the milk, the image that confronted me was at first confusing. The rising hatchback unveiled two ice cream-filled glass containers that appeared to have been shattered with a hammer! “I guess the milk froze when I left it in the back of the car overnight”, my friend deduced. “Yep, no fresh milk for my cereal this week” I sighed.

A few days later another friend of mine asked if I’d drop by a cabin that he maintains and replace the filters in the hot tub. “No problem, what’s the address?” “2142 North Big Springs Loop” he replied. I drove over to North Big Springs Loop and began looking for the cabin. There were 4200’s and 4300’s but nothing approaching the numbers that he had given me. I called my friend, “Are you sure about the address? I can’t find anything even close.” “You have to just look a little. I have driven past it myself. It’s just a little east of Robin’s Roost” he said encouragingly. After spending forty minutes searching up and down the street, I received an apologetic call from my friend. “I am sorry, that address was actually the door code (I changed the numbers for obvious reasons).

With a new year come more experiences. I cannot wait to see what my friends have in store for me in 2016.