Still at the hatchery

Wild flowers at the hatchery

We've had a good week at the hatchery.  Fish gettin' bigger.  160 thousand should leave in another couple of months. On our days off we generally hung out around town.  This part of the country finally got hot.  Not stifling hot like most of the country, but hot.  We generally did our outdoor activities in the morning and slept the afternoons away.

Here's what we did:  Friday & Saturday talk fish.  Sunday was breakfast out and a walk on the south side of Jackson on the bicycle trails in that area.  Monday we took a bicycle ride into town, then back out to the Gros Ventre (sounds like 'Grow Vont') traffic circle in the park & back to the trailer.  That evening we went looking for beaver.  None found, though.  We liked the Sunday walk so well, we parked at Smith's on Tuesday and walked a portion of the South Park Loop, back into town for a bagel, then back to Smith's for groceries.  Wednesday & today we talked fish.

So that was our week.  We're still doing well.  Beginning to consider plans for next summer.  Was finally able to get the month of February 2020 at Gulf State Park this week.  (long story - short:  they'd only give us a site for December 2019 and January 2020.  Someone finally canceled their February 2020 site and we got their site.)

That wraps it up.  Thanks for dropping by and checking up on us.  We're fine.  Until next week, David

Weekly Update

A pleasant Wyoming morning at the hatchery

Break time at Jenny Lake

We've had a nice week as we work back into our normal routine.  Sunday we met up with Jenny & Craig at Leeks Marina for pizza and bread sticks.  Monday we finally got our bicycles out into Grand Teton for about a two-hour bike ride.  Tuesday was haircuts, burgers at Idaho Burger Grill (St Anthony, ID), plus a visit to Rexburg, ID Walmart.  Wednesday we were back out to the Laurance S Rockefeller Preserve and a walk around Phelps Lake.

We're back talking fish at the hatchery today.  It feels as if everyone waited until now to come to Jackson Hole.  July 4th week crowds seemed down in number and somewhat calm when compared to last year.  This is the first week where we've noticed significant longer lines at the toll booths into the park, larger groups visiting the hatchery, more quantity of people in/around the town of Jackson, and, of course, the lack of patience of people on vacations.  So that's how we're seeing things as we pass the halfway point of our volunteer stint this year. 

Laurance S Rockefeller Preserve

As for us, we're doing well.  Just enjoying our time here.  Thanks for dropping in and checking up on us.  Until next week, David

Death Canyon beyond Phelps Lake

Phelps Lake

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

With Stephanie & Brianna's visit getting short, Donna and I took them to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone to show them another side of Yellowstone.  The canyon area was crowded in certain spots, but not bad over all.  Donna was usually able to find a parking spot close to where we wanted to be.  Pictures here give you an idea of what we saw.

Top picture is of the lower falls from Artist Point.  We then moved to to the upper falls parking area.  The picture to the right is of the upper falls.  The brink of the upper falls parking area is closed as is the canyon hiking trail in that area.  Obviously we weren't able to stop there and take some pictures.  The next stop was at the brink of the lower falls.  The 3rd picture from the top is of the path going down to the brink overlook.  The last picture is of the Yellowstone River as it travels below the lower falls.

We had a nice, long day.  We ate lunch in the canyon area.  A short stop at Grant Village on the way back to Jackson let us do a little shopping, get some ice cream, visit the Grant Village Visitor Center, and let Donna & I check out the restaurants in that area. 

Since that trip, Stephanie & Brianna have returned home safe and sound, and we're back to our normal routine here at the hatchery.  It's mid-season for us.  We've been here for two months, and it's gone by quickly.  Overall, this season's visitation has not been quite as busy as last year.  Jackson's not as crowded as last year, either.  Not sure why.

So that wraps up this update.  We're looking to make a trip over to Rexburg, ID and walk around Phelps Lake in Grand Tetons's Rockefeller Preserve this coming week.  Of course, that's just a plan.  Thanks for dropping in and checking up on us.  We're fine.  Until next week, David

Happy 4th of July!

Stephanie & Brianna have made out for a visit this week.  We've showed them a little bit of the place.  Then Donna decided to push us to our limit and hike Cascade Canyon to the fork at the back of the Canyon & return.

It's a beautiful walk.  Just long.  We took the boat shuttle over to the west dock and walked the horse trail up into the canyon.

We started out about 9:30 AM at the boat dock.  Took our time...usually due to taking pictures.  It's a beautiful hike.  Walked our way back going down to the Jenny Lake west dock via Inspiration Point, Lower Inspiration Point, and Hidden Falls.  Got back to the dock around 5:00 PM.  Nice boat ride back!  My fitbit says I walked 10 miles.  I'm still beat!

This week, we've also worked in a hike up to Grand View, pizza & bread sticks at Leeks Marina, a walk along String Lake, and a cowboy dinner & show at the Bar J Ranch.  Today Brianna & Stephanie took a drive up into Yellowstone and the Old Faithful Basin area while Donna & I talked fish.

So far, no know plans for tomorrow from them as Donna & I still talk fish.  I think we all go back to Yellowstone Saturday (Canyon area).

Plans for Sunday are for them (Donna, Stephanie, Brianna) to go white water rafting.  That's what the reservations say, anyway!

So that's been our week.  We're all doing well and - more or less - eating healthy.  Fish doing OK.  Most of the hatchery staff is off as the employee housing is closed for asbestos abatement this week.  Not the most convenient week to do this as there's no vacancies anywhere in the general area.  One family went to Idaho Falls, ID to get a room.  Lucky us - the volunteers.  We get to stay on site as each couple has its on room (trailers for both of us, of course.)

Hope everyone is having a great holiday.  Pictures here are from Tuesday's walk up Cascade Canyon.  Thanks for dropping by and checking in on us.  Until next week, David