Mid Day Frost

This photo was taken at the corner of WY HWY 238 and Star Lane.

Flower or Weed?

I took this photo on our recent camping trip in Diamond Creek.  I am not sure what kind of plant it is?

On a side note, I have been having one heck of a time loading photo's to my blog.  I think I have found a work around, so I should start posting more regularly!

From the Front Porch - Foggy River Bottom

I have published a couple of 'From the Front Porch' post before. We are blessed with some wonderful views out our windows!

Today was foggy all day long. It was hard to see across the street let alone across the valley. Then this evening, just before the sun was about to set, the fog burned back to the banks of the Salt River and left us to marvel at the view. We opened the blinds and enjoyed the awe of the mountains to the east as the sun slowly set in the west.

Swift Creek is at the far right of this photo. 'Star Mountain' just to the left of Swift Creek Canyon.

Swift Creek is at the far left of this photo, with Cottonwood Lake sitting between the two ridges to the right.

Photos taken: February 17, 2008

Alfalfa for Lunch

Deer and Tractors

These mule deer are feeding on a hay bale at a house near the high school. This years snow has pushed the deer into the valley, and they find a nutritious meal wherever they can!

Photo taken: February 16, 2008

Near Normal

If yesterdays post with pictures of 8' snow drifts didn't impress you, how about the headline in the local paper the Star Valley Independent?

There it is....we are "inching toward normal". I know this has been a pretty decent year for snow totals in the Western US. Since we have moved to Star Valley I would judge this year to be second. The first year we moved here (2004-2005 winter) had the most snow fall so far. But this year is certainly catching up. What is so impressive to me about this year, again, is the fact that it all started so late.

One thing is for certain, if you do not like winter, Star Valley is not the place for you. However; if four distinct seasons suits you, and especially the most awesome summers, then Western Wyoming maybe right for you. Many of the people who live here are snow birds. They fly in for summer and leave by the end of fall. Many of the houses sit empty all winter long......hmm wonder why?

How's the Weather?

Wow! Have we been getting the snow as of late! The year started slow. The first real snow came just before Christmas. Since then it hasn't stopped!

Is That Broom Enough?

Angela is working away trying to clear the snow away from the propane tank. And that is no ordinary 250 gallon residential propane tank burried under all that snow. Ours is a 1,000 gallon tank. We fill once a year, in summer when the prices are cheap.

I Know it's Here Somewhere!

All that snow is in the drive where we park our cars. I had to shovel a 'hole' before I could even begin to use the plow on my quad. And even then I became stuck several times. Angela stayed on standby to pull me out with the jeep.

The Front Porch

This is what snowed and blew in over night onto the front porch. The porch is somewhat in the air, so it didn't get the worse of it!

Eight Foot Drift

This impressive drift has formed on the north end of our house. The area between the end of the house and the hill that slopes away form a perfect wind block for the snow to drift into.

A View From the Front

The snow in front of the garage windows has drifted in. That is not from shoveling.

Across the Street

Comparing the depth of the snow to the garage door makes this photo more impressive. The cedar fence behind the house is a 6' fence.

Heidi's House

Neighbor Heidi is about snow bound!

Icicles

Icicles

These impressive icicles were found on Washington Street in Afton on the Aviat building. Aviat is the manufacturer of Husky, Pitts, and Eagle aircraft.

Photo taken: January 12, 2008

9 Tractors...All In A Row

John Deere Bone Yard

These tractors seem to be patiently waiting for spring to arrive!

Frosted Trees

I made the 2 hour trip to Idaho Falls today. It is a regular routine for us. We usually go for shopping at least once per month. It may seem like a long way to go to shop, and not worth the bother, however prices in Star Valley are just to high. Last week Angela sent me to the store for some parmesan cheese. I bought 16 oz size of the Kraft brand. It was $11.95. I am not making that up! Today in Idaho Falls I checked what 16 oz's of Kraft cost. $5.23. Less than half. I spent $275 on groceries today. If I had bought the same groceries in Afton, I would have spent $700 plus.

The drive in the winter can be brutal, but there is some nice scenery along the way.

These trees grace the skyline of Kelly Mountain in Eastern Idaho. (Between Idaho Falls and Swan Valley). They were striking in the sunlight.

Lets Get Out of This House!

We have been cooped up in the house for quite some time now. All of us have been itching to get out of the house, and today we did just that. A simple ride through the valley was just the ticket to cure the cabin fever!

Fowl on the River

We stopped in the narrows and watched the Geese and ducks on the river.

No Bull

We stopped at the elk preserve and enjoyed watching the elk feed.

Frozen Stalagmite

We went all the way to Alpine enjoying the sites and each others company

Hidden Fence

The snow is deep in Star Valley. The fences are nearly covered! In some places, where the snow has drifted, they are covered. Today was very sunny and we reached a balmy 32 degrees! The warmest day we have had in a month!

Tomorrows forecast? 6-12" of snow!

Family Feast

We do not eat out much, but we felt today should be an exception. We had dinner at Gunnars Pizza in Alpine. The waitress noticed the camera and offered to take a picture. So here you go, a rare photo of me on my own blog!

Photos taken: January 26, 2007 (the last one by the pizza lady)!

Sunset on a Moonrise

The moon begins to rise over the Shell Creek Range, as the evidence of the sunset is seen by the shadow across the foothills. This picture was taken in Duck Creek Basin, near the turnoff to Timber Creek. Piermont is on the east side of the range just below the rising moon.

Photo taken: November 23, 2007

Neil's Elk

Over the Thanksgiving weekend I helped Neil Grastiet with his elk hunt. On Friday, the second day of his hunt he bagged this very nice elk on the Shell Creek Range. It took 8 of us 2 1/2 days to get it off of the mountain! Neil his sons Thor, Leith, Quin, and Seth, and myself, my brother Jared, and my Father Doyle.

Neil Grastiet and myself with Neils elk

Thor, His 2 boys, Niel, and Leith Grastiet with Niel's elk

Photos taken: November 24, 2007

Successful Hunt

I went hunting today Northeast of Jackson near Indian Head Mountain. Finally a successful hunt, and wouldn't you know I forgot the camera. I shot a cow elk on a dead run at 465 yards. It was the very first shot I have taken at an animal in Wyoming. One nicely placed shot and down she went. Angela is happy we have meat!

I went with Whompa Roberts. We took his mules. Doug Henry also tagged along. It was a great day for hunting. Cloud covered with a few flurries now and then. Just enough to get the animals up and moving but not to cold.

My hunting is not over just yet. About a month ago I recieved a phone call from Niel Grastiet of Fallon NV. He was lucky enough to draw a bull elk tag in Nevada for areas 11 and 22 near Ely. He has enlisted my services to help him find a bull. I will be hunting back in Nevada this next weekend.

Upper Greys

This morning I spent hunting in the Upper Greys. I happened across these moose on Greys River, near Rock Creek. A nice young bull and a cow.

I hiked to the top of Shale Creek, which drains into Greys River, near the top. The views of the Wyoming Range are spectacular from the top of Shale Creek!

Photos taken: November 9, 2007

Silhouette of an American Bald Eagle

I captured this silhouette of an American Bald Eagle on a recent hunting trip. He flew up the river for about a mile as I followed him in my jeep. He landed near the road and posed for several minutes. His perch was between me and the sun, thus the silhouette.

Photo taken: October 29, 2007

Top of a Continent

This sign is found at the head of Greys River. Greys Drains to the north into the Snake River at Alpine Wyoming. You can follow the entire length of the Greys River by dirt road from Alpine to this point. It is 64 miles long. It is a great drive to see a river that is 100' or wider at it confluence with the Snake river, continually get smaller and smaller, until it is literally a small spring bubbling out of the hillside.

To the south is La Barge Creek, with drains into the Green River, eventually draining into the Colorado.

To the west is Smiths Fork, which drains to the Bear River, eventually winding up in the Great Salt Lake.

Within 50 miles of our house there are drainages to the Colombia, the Colorado, the Mississippi, and the Great Basin. It truely is at the top of the Continent.

Photo Taken: October 29, 2007

A View From the Other Side

Salt River Range (East Side)

I have been spending a lot of time hunting lately. Today I was hiking high up in the North Fork of Sheep Creek. Sheep Creek is in the Wyoming Range. I snapped this picture of the east side of the Salt River Range. Star Valley is west of the Salt River Range. Grey's River runs between the Wyoming Range and the Salt River Range.

Photo taken: October 29, 2007

Not an Elk

Last night, near sundown, Ruby, Spencer, and I went for a short ride on the South End. I took along my rifle in case we happened upon an elk. We saw 5 dear, and 4 moose. This cow moose, with her snowy muzzle, posed for a quick photo.

Photo taken: October 21, 2007

First Snow

Preston and Spencer

Preston

Spencer

We woke up to 5" of fresh snow this morning! It is the first decent accumulation of the season, so the boys were chomping at the bit! They just had to go play. I had to make an early morning trip to the shed to dig out the sleds. It is hard to imagine that anyone could be so excited to have snow!

Photo taken: October 21, 2007

My Hunting Partner

Ruby joined me for a quick ride in the hills tonight, after we had dinner. I took this picture of her just before sundown. We didn't see any elk but had a blast none the less.

Photo Taken: October 8, 2007