The pass from Tower to Canyon is now open to admin travel. Has a little snow left around.
Saw a coyote too.
The lake is still frozen.
Starting out for some vacation time
Really a great way to see the park when no one else is around.
What does the fox say?
Check out that puffy tail.
This coyote has a very nice winter coat.
Hard to see, but a bunch of swans in the river.
Uncle Tom’s Trail
Uncle Tom’s Trail had been closed for about a year. It was due to open in July of 2018, but it took until October. With only a small window before it would close again for winter I rushed out to complete the trail.
And this is the reason for all the signs! Amicalola Falls strikes back….
Uncle Tom’s trail states 328 steps and Amicalola Falls states 425. When Janet and I went to Amicalola Falls I wasn’t in any kind of fitness state. Before going I wolfed down a large Frappuccino from Starbuck and a Chick-fil-A meal. By the time I dragged myself back up the stairs I thought I was going to die. I was exhausted and sick. The rest of the evening was shot for me. I sit in the passenger seat with the window down trying to keep from getting sick while Janet drove.
This go round was cake. I didn’t run the stairs or anything like that, but I didn’t think I was going to die either.
Something else out here with me. Coyote maybe?
A view from the other side of the water fall.
A better view of the stairs.
Wile E Coyote Super Genius
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Well we have our green on. Hard to believe from this picture, but it was snowing like crazy just a few minutes before we took the picture.
Before we are off on one last otter search we have to get Janet a YNP car sticker. While shopping we found this Nativity set. A must have for any mountain home. Bonus points if you can find Joseph.
Off to find the otter. Hey look a coyote. In all we saw three on them while otter hunting.
I think I am offended. This buffalo is mocking my southern heritage with a piece of straw hanging out of his mouth, Maybe I spoke too soon and he is a southern transplant like me? He didn’t say one way or the other.
Found the perfect otter spot……but alas no otter.
On the ride back we saw a moose much closer than last time. I think I scared Janet a little. She was driving and when I saw the mouse I just shouted MOOSE!
Well no otter. We also didn’t find a leprechaun, a rainbow or a pot of gold, but I had already found my treasure … Janet.
We went to dinner at the Rusty Rail and gorged ourselves on fried foods. It was a good day and a nice end to Janet’s trip. She will me missed by every fiber of me.
Snow Lodge Day Three
We went out for a walk before heading back to Mammoth.
Nature will always find a way. Check out the green with the snow.
Do you see Santa in his hat?
My new place is the one on the right with the antenna.
Time to head out.
Coyote
Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”
The road less traveled
I went out for a hike. On the way there I saw a coyote. He was actually very pretty.
The scenery on the hike was gorgeous.
Looks like a wall.
The snow is a little deep here.
Hello Mr. Bison. A very different view when you are close and you don’t have the metal of the car around you.
This will give you an idea of how powerful the bison are by seeing him run in snow knee deep to me.
End the day with another bison jam.
A work day
Drove the work car today. The low tire pressure indicator came on. I did a visual check of the tires and all seemed well. Went on to work. Checked about self serve for air and was told it was at the transportation department in Gardiner (reminder my office is in Mammonth Springs). I am having a run of luck with cars in Montana. I needed to get a gas card as well so made plans to go to the transportation office in the afternoon. Received my gas card and schooled on how to use it. They also had me bring the car into the shop. One of the mechanics checked the tires and gave them some additional air. I felt ridiculous. I asked them about how I could do it myself going forward. If I can’t check the air and add when needed in Montana I think they will take my “man card” away.
Work was a work day. Emails, meetings, phone calls were all to be done. I worked late and had dinner in the employee cafeteria so I could attend the cougar discussion. Well it turns out that the cougar expert was a government employee so the talk was canceled. What is the world coming too…..
On the drive home the tires were good. I did see a coyote and a huge fox on the drive home so that was a win. When I got close to home it started snowing hard. Will have to check the weather in the AM to see which car to drive tomorrow.