FULL CIRCLE !

It doesn't seem possible but we have both been retired (at the same time) for a year now.  We are back at the Yellowstone Grizzly RV park in West Yellowstone, Mt. and have come full circle ! 

 Upon our arrival we had to go into the Park to get re-acquainted.  So glad we did, the weather was cool and animals were more visible than any other time of the season.  Spring came earlier so many of the buffalo had already dropped their calves.  Those little "red dogs" were everywhere !  Now, the Elk are having their calves.  It it so exciting to see the routine Mother Nature provides.  This little guy was trying very hard to nurse but mama didn't seem too interested right now !

On this particular drive we were able to watch a single 3 year old Grizzly graze in a field, not 50 ft from the edge of the road. You can see him here.   A mother Grizzly with a set of year old cubs put on quite a show for many spectators in a large meadow on the way to Mammoth.  The cubs tumbled and growled practicing their fighting skills on each other.  They will be on their own later this summer and mama will more than likely breed in the fall and have another cub next winter.

The Pronghorn Sheep wandered in herds up near the Lamar Valley.  I don't think we have seen this many together in the Park before.  One of the other couples said they are bearing their young now, too. They watched a new baby trying out it's legs and standing, but soooo wobbly.

In all, we were able to watch & photograph 10 bears...two were black bears, the others all Grizzlies !  WOW !! By the time our 'house' was in sight both of us were exhausted.  The altitude here is 6,660 ft and we've found it is taking a bit to get used to it, again.

After our first few days of work the managers, Brenda & Mark, threw a little party welcoming all the crew for this season.  Dinner was provided and we got a chance to meet the newbies and re-connect with those of us who were here last year. (Everyone loved my quilts and Mark said he could sell them in the store !)

So, all is going well and we're all beginning to settle in, sorta.  We wake up on Friday morning and are greeted by at least 7" of snow covering EVERYTHING !  Yikes !!  The guys that are scheduled to work today now have to find things to do inside.  No lawn mowing today !  This is Memorial Day week-end and the park has about 100 reservations on the books. By the end of the day almost half have cancelled and those that were supposed to leave had to extend their stay...they couldn't leave !   The snow melted later that day but we continued to get flurries.  Roads in YNP were closing because they are higher in altitude.  Nobody was going very far.  Ahhhhh...the life in the mountains !!

Our first full week of work is over and we now have the next three days off.  We're so very tired but maybe we should take a quick drive into Madison which is 14 miles into YNP and see what's going on !  Hmmmm......Hey Norm, don't leave without me....I just have to grab my coat !!!!