A Quick Trip to the Grand Teton National Park and Getting our boat ready to sell.

 

Our last week has been bust as we have been showing our boat, after some minor repair work, and then testing it at Palisades Reservoir. We also went to Grand Teton National Park to check out the boating opportunities at Jackson Lake and to check out the berries along our favorite bear spotting locations.

Jackson lake is a large man-made lake in the park, and It was constructed to provide water for the potato farms, downstream in Idaho. The lake is actually floating on loose debris and according to the engineers will survive a strong earthquake, (right).

There are three marinas on the lake and of the three we liked Leeks Marina and Coulter Bay. If we do not sell the boat, we may take it to the park next week and cruise the far side. On the way home we took a walk at one of our favorite spots and saw quite a few trees loaded with berries. Hopefully, they are ones bears like to eat and so bear watching season should start in the next two weeks.

We did spot a bull moose with small antlers. He has grown up and looks strong, but his rack is not big enough to win any mating battles. Not spotting any bears, bear 399 and her four cubs have been seen crossing the Snake River, we have a little time before the berry season goes into full swing and the bears enter there fall gorging in preparation for hibernation.

We decided to sell our boat, after seventeen years as we are not using it. Finding a repair shop in Idaho Falls we set up an appointment and towed the boat there to be fixed. They were really minor but things we could not fix ourselves. They included installing a new seal in the main motor trim, a new water pump, fixing the hydraulic steering, (it only needed refilling and bleeding, and an oil change and lower gear lube, total 925 bucks).

Of course, parts had to be back ordered, and so a month and a half later we picked up our boat. Everything was fixed and at a reasonable price and so we could not wait to test it on our local Reservoir, at Alpine, Wyoming.

After installing three new batteries, (450 bucks), we drove to Alpine and backed the boat into Palisades Reservoir. The motor started instantly, it always has, and even the temperamental t8 horse kicker started up, so we were good to go!

Heading down the Snake River channel we reached the open water of the lake and opened it up! We reached a speed of 51 mph and we were surprised at the speed as we were at 6200 feet in elevation, (the higher the elevation the slower the boat runs as the oxygen content is lower).

Renita and I did take a couple of poles along and trolled but it was extremely hot, and the fish were staying deep, so we did not have any bites. Returning home, we got on Facebook and listed the boat for sale. We have had over 700 looks and three offers, but no sale yet as the person who gave an offer we accepted later called back and withdrew it. Jackson lake is a large man-made lake in the park, and It was constructed to provide water for the potato farms, downstream in Idaho. The lake is actually floating on loose debris and according to the engineers will survive a strong earthquake, (right).

There are three marinas on the lake and of the three we liked Leeks Marina and Coulter Bay the best. If we do not sell the boat, we may take it to the park next week and cruise the far side. On the way home we took a walk at one of our favorite spots and saw quite a few trees loaded with berries. Hopefully, they ae ones bears like to eat and so bear watching season should start in the next two weeks.

We did spot a bull moose with small antlers. He has grown up and looks strong, but his rack is not big enough to win any mating battles. Not spotting any bears, bear 399 and her four cubs have been seen crossing the Snake River, we have a little time before the berry season goes into full swing and the bears enter there fall gorging in preparation for hibernation.

It is not a great time to sell a boat and so if we do not sell it, we will store it and post it for sale next spring. The boat is running so well that we are both having second thoughts so we will see. During the time on the lake we did have an immature bald eagle fly by us and land on a fallen tree. Anytime on the water is a good day, even if the fish are not biting. Clear skies

Day Three, The Confluence of Frontier Creek and Wiggins Fork

We have wanted to go see the Wiggins fork for some time. It originates on the east side of the Absarokas and merges with other creeks before adding its water to the East Fork of Wyoming’s Wind River. So, on our last day we passed up on a morning of fishing and headed up the Forest Service Roads to Wiggins Fork.

It had dried out from the last evenings rains storm and so the road was good but narrow. We hoped we would not meet any large campers as the drop to the valley floor was in places severe. At one stretch sheer cliffs appeared and we stopped for several images. The road then descended in a series of switchbacks before climbing up to the next mountains ridge.

It was actually a pretty easy drive and we did not meet any possible muddy conditions until we reached Double Creek Campground and the confluence of Frontier Creek and Wiggins Fork. At the confluence, the steams had emptied out of large canyons and the streams were a series of meandering braided channels.

Frontier Creek was closed because a grizzly bear was sitting on a dead cow and as we watched a cowboy was moving his herd out of harms way. We were surprised at the numbers of outfitters, hikers, and campers at the trail head but it is a trail head and so we should not have been.

Putting on our waders we decided to walk the steam and do some rockhounding and keep an eye out for any rising fish. Two fly fishermen were working upstream from us and we questioned their decision as that is where the grizzly bear was supposed to be.

We did have our bear spray with us and so we waded across several small channels and walked toward the confluence. We did find several small possible agates and a piece of petrified wood, but we never did see any rising fish. It was so beautiful to be surrounded my step mountains and so we took several panoramas of the view.

We decided we would return here another time and headed back to our vehicle. As this was our last day of this trip, we headed back to the Horse Creek Picnic area for a bit of fishing before we drove back to our place in Star Valley Ranch Rv Resort.

We got back just before lunch and we did meet other trucks and side by side four wheelers but there was enough room to pass by. Just as we reached the place we were going to fish; another vehicle had beaten us there and they were starting to fish. We watched as they were catching some fish and they were keeping them, we probable should have kept enough for dinner as we did catch a nice brook and brown trout, (all Yellowstone cut throats must be released).

Renita moved ahead of me and she did quite well, catching five fish to my two. She did catch a nice plump brook trout while I caught a nice brown. We both caught and released more Yellowstone Cuts before returning to the truck.

Renita has worked hard to become a skilled fly fisherwoman and she has definitely achieved her goal. She can lay out line, mend, and strip her fly line as needed, besides setting the hook, landing, and releasing her catch. Well done Renita!  Now she needs to catch a Colorado Cut she will have her Cut Slam. Clear skies

Day Two, The East Wind River and Upper Bear Creek

The next morning, we still were not sure what to do, or where to go. Last night another fly fisherman told us of all the fish he had caught on the East fork of the Wind River. He also said that it would be difficult to get to the upper reaches of the river with our four-wheel drive truck.

We decided to get more information and better maps by stopping at the Shoshone National Forest Headquarters in Dubois. It was a wise decision as the Forest service representative took one look at our truck and told us that if we tried to drive to the upper reaches of the East Wind River, we would never get our truck back out!

Furthermore, he told us about two other campgrounds that we could reach safely with our vehicle. Both were along a forest service road out of Dubois. We still wanted to look at the East fork and at another stream, Upper Bear Creek, so we headed east of Dubois, about ten miles before turning north on a good gravel road.

The East Wind was muddy, stained, and as we drove north, we saw really strange signs. They read that no Humans were allowed on the land west of the road from December 16^th till May15th. Now we were not only looking for bears, wolves, or mountain lions but also for extra-terrestrials. How dare visitors from another world keeping us from going fishing!

After crossing Wiggins fork, we reached a fork in the road and turned west. The road deteriorated but was still a passable road. Reaching the Upper Bear, we found that the water level in the stream was so low that fish could not survive and so we stopped and turned around after reach8ng the campground.

At the fork Renita reminded me that there was another spot on the river further north. There was a primitive parking lot and campground but the river still looked too low to fish, even though a jeep arrived and three fisherman got out and headed to the stream with their flyrods, (probably looking to catch their Yellowstone Cut throat. It is the fourth fish in the Cut Slam Award and the one we both needed).

After further discussion we returned south and headed back to Dubois. Reaching Horse Creek Road, we again turned north and after twenty-five miles we found a beautiful campsite. Our campsite was perfect as it backed up to a beautiful full and fast-moving stream! Setting up our truck camper we got out our fly roads and walking down stream we begin to fish.

We both opted to use dry flies and at the first hole Renita set the hook on a nice fish! Carefully fighting it in I netted her fish and we took pictures of a nice Yellowstone Cutthroat trout. It was now my turn and after safely releasing her fish I made several casts before catching one myself. ( I am fighting the new blog program and I do not want this blue or underlined)

We continued fishing and catching more cuts and even a nice brown trout. Brown trout can be kept here but all cuts must be released, (brown trout and brook trout are not native here). As we fished, we saw that dark storm clouds were nearing and so we went back to our campsite. It was not long before it started to rain, I had just told Renita it probably would not, so of course it rained hard and the heavy rain changed to hail!

It hailed so hard that the ground and our chairs were covered by hail and it alternated with rain for the next two hours. Our campsite was at the mouth of a slot canyon and we kept a sharp eye on the water level as the possibility of a flash flood always exists in mountain valleys.

While the stream level did rise, it never did threaten our spot and so we finally were able to cook a quick dinner of hot dogs. We had both brought books to read and it was a good thing as there was no internet, television, or phone service, (We spent three days without such staples, and it was wonderful!

Covid nineteen ceased to exist! The only person we had to avoid was the campground host. He stayed away. That evening we made plans to drive up to Wiggins Fork and the Frontier Creek confluence. It would be the first time we had ever been there, and we would be surrounded by the Absaroka Mountains. Clear skies

Looking at New Places to Fish, a Trip to the Wind Rivers and Absaroka Mountians

We had originally planned to spend three days camping and fishing with our friends, George, and Val, but life got in the way and instead we headed out by ourselves. The plan was to drive to Dubois, Wyoming, and fish four different streams in search of a Yellowstone cutthroat trout. It is one of the four cutthroat trout that make up the Wyoming Cut Slam award, award we have been after for the past four years.

After stopping in Jackson, Wyoming for groceries. It took us another two hours to cross Towgotee Pass and reach one of our favorite campgrounds. It is called Falls Campground because of the beautiful falls just a short walk away. We were lucky and got there before noon and we were able to get a nice site with electricity for only ten dollars, (senior rate).

After lunch we rested for a bit before walking down to the falls. There were quite a few wildflowers in bloom including lots of Wyoming Fireweed.

Its purple color tells you how much of summer is left as the flowering end at the start of fall. As you can see it will not be long before we say goodbye to the summer. There were also cinquefoils of white and purple.   

A slightly purple aster like flower(?), and others that we had no clue as to names.

Last time we camped at the falls we spotted American dippers nesting behind the falls, but this time nesting season was finished, and we did not see any of the dark birds.

Renita glassed the Brook Mountains, but she did not spot any bighorn sheep which we had also seen earlier in the summer.

Returning to camp I got out my fishing gear and worked a small stretch of the stream but the only thing I saw were fresh boot prints. I never had a fish rise to my flies or chase my gold ribbed hares ear nymph and when I put a nymph on, it is a sign of desperation as I prefer dry flies.

I never even saw any fish and later we talked with a knowledgeable fly fisherman who had worked it earlier without any sign of fish. Its still a nice campsite but we will pass it up next time as we discovered a great campground the next day. It also had a stream where the fish were biting!  Clear skies

 

A Week of Comet Images and Astrophotography

We have been blessed with clear skies and for the past week Renita and I have been able to take nightly images of the Comet Neowise. We have also taken images of the first crescent moon and parts of the Milky Way Galaxy.

7/17

7/18

7/19

7/20

7/21

We had problems the nights of the 15th and 16th. Here's the first crescent moon on the 21st,

This is an image of the star field that including Cassiopia and the Androneda Galaxy

The Sagittarius Arm including Scorpio

As I mentioned all the images were taken with our Cannon dslr Camera using the 18-55 mm and the 75-300 mm lens,using the manual focus and the manual mode.  We hope to take lots more!  Clear skies

Seeing Comet Neowise

Last night we went out to see Comet Neowise. We set up our cameras, got ready with our binoculars

and sure enough after sunset we saw what we thought was the comet. However the location of the supposed comet was not correct and so I doubted myself. I wondered if I had been confused, (not the first time), after all the comet should look like a fuzzy ball when first spotted. As ones eyes adjust the tail should appear and it would disappear in the west as the earth rotates.

A great horned owl flew up and landed near us as if to say this is my hunting ground so please leave. It finally flew away and later we saw it land on an porty-potty out on the golf course. It got darker and the stars appeared, Jupiter and Saturn rose over the Salt Range and we waited until we could see all the stars of the Big Dipper.

Renita kept scanning the sky with her binoculars and suddenly she said ," I see the fuzzy ball of the comet's nucleus"! It got darker still and sure enough even I could see it along with it's spectacular tail.

I started to take image after image and finally got my first ever image of Comet Neowise. The reason we hadn't seen it before is because it was way past my bedtime.

After taking quite a few images with our Cannon dslr camera, (any dslr camera should work), I put our camera away and sat down simply enjoying the sight of such beauty. Renita was nice and snug but I had to get out a blanket as I had dressed in just shorts and a tee shirt, (you would think someone who had lived in Wyoming for forty plus years would know better,, (our humidity here is about ten percent and as soon as the sun goes down it gets cold).

Later we returned home and our skies are so dark that we could see the comet from our patio. We also can see the Milky Way. Tonight we will go back out and take more images. How often do you get to see a bright comet? Clear skies

If you want to try imaging the Comet there are lots of good web pages, but this is what worked for us.

Put your camera on a tripod. Change from landscape, after you take a picture of the sunset, to the manual setting change the exposure to four seconds, and change the iso to 3200 and you are set. Change the focus from auto focus to manual!You can select these settings during the day and it ill not affect your taking normal pictures during the day or at sunset. Be sure to change the focus autofocus to manual and watching the screen focus, on the stars and snap away.

I actually got my first image at an iso of 1600 but you can change the iso, (iso is like the old asa when you used film), easily in the dark when you get the hang of it, (I practiced in the day time). Good luck!

 

Pickleball, Sunsets, and A Penumbra Eclipse

We decided to go play pickle ball and went down to find the courts half full. There are special rules here, the main one being that you should play with your own partner and so Renita and I played three games against the same twosome. We got beat all three games, but the players were fairly good, and it was the only time we have played since last August.

Taking a water and rest break, I walked around the area to keep my steps up and promptly rolled my left ankle as I had been on a steep edge and it gave way. I rolled onto the gravel besides the concrete and was lucky to have missed the concrete. Back home we did the ICE treatment, (ice, compress, and elevate), and later decided to go see my doctor.

After x-rays, I found out that it was a moderate strain with no broken bones, but they did discover I had rheumatoid arthritis, bone spurs, a bone chip.  That pretty much wrapped up the exercise program. Besides the Ice treatment, the doctor told me to take naproxen sodium, and that evening I broke into a rash.

I stopped taking the pain pills but the next night the rash reappeared and spread all over my body. Concerned about a drug reaction we took off and went to the emergency room, eighteen miles away.

The service was prompt, but the doctor said that we may never find out what caused my allergic reaction. She also prescribed a steroid, and we returned home. Now we are trying to figure out what is causing the hives.

So, the rest of the week was uneventful, besides reading books, we watched sunsets and listened to fireworks. The sunsets are especially pretty as smoke from fires in Utah are causing a reddish color. Renita took some images of the sunsets.

On the fourth of July we stayed home, and, in the evening, we walked down to the east side of the park to watch some fireworks and to try to take some images of the penumbra eclipse of the moon. The fire works were nice but very few and the moon rose, while eclipsed, over the Salt Mountains.

Having hosted numerous star parties, comet watches, and lunar eclipses, and traveled to two solar eclipses, I knew that penumbra eclipses are usual pretty mediocre and this one was its usual disappointment. It was ok as the moon slightly darkened. Turn your flashlight on an object to see its shadow. Your will also notice a lighter area around the shadow and that was what the moon was passing through, (I used the wrong lens and the image is overexposed).

It has now been a week since my accident and the ankle is improving but still needs to be placed in a brace that the doctor gave me. We hope to go fishing, camping, and rock hounding next week, but it will all depend on how my ankle is doing. Clear skies