30-31 Jan Another fun Day

 Tink on snowshoes, the boy is as graceful as a bullfrog, and looks almost AS GOOD.

 Buffalo everywhere. you have to wait until they decide to get out of the road.

 THE Dinning Hall at Mammoth Hot Springs, looks like something out of the 1920's. (Built in 1916, that may be why it looks like something out of the 20's) Note the green and white awnings.

 1917 Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel

 1896-1916 the US Army was in charge, the military housing is still being used by the Park Service.

 Have you seen a better looking guy?? Tink trying to decide our next days activities.

 Cook City is the Northeast entrance to Yellowstone, May to October then it is closed.  We had lunch --Southern Bar-B Q and cold slaw. Yum-Yum

 Larry checks out the hot springs--good way to clear out your sinus.

 TINK CHECKS OUT THE Mineral deposit left after the hot springs dry up.

Buffalo along the road.   Today was a beautiful day, temp about 15, fresh snow, no lift lines, great skiing.  Snowing now , suppose to have 2-4 inches for tomorrow.  Join us tomorrow, maybe I will catch up.  O-yes Donald got here safe and sound, and is ready to ski.  Tink skied today for the first time in 20 years we can't get him out of the hot tub  which is funny because we don't have a hot tub. He must be visiting the folks across the hall.  See you tomorrow.

Moving Day, Thursday 30 Jan

 Departed for Yellowstone and Gods 'creation welcomed us with a beautiful sunrise, temp about 10.

 North East entrance to the park, we had to be inside the park to get here, the road to this location is closed traveling from East to West, Nov-May.  Lots of snow and a beautiful day.

 This is the Roosevelt Arch, built for the Grand Opening of the park in 1898.  We entered the park from Gardner,MT the only road open to vehicles year round.  Notice the lack of snow, the picture below is 50 miles to the West

 West entrance closed but you can visit once you are in the park, a beautiful drive with lots of wildlife to be seen.

 Army Corps of Engineers,  Corps was responsible for building the roads inside the park, 1874-1916.

We stayed at Mammoth Hot Springs, built in 1916 and not updated, Bill and I shared a room with two beds and bath down the hall.  This was a private Hotel until the Park Service purchased it in 1917.    Must go, we are at Big Sky Ski Resort now and the ski slopes are calling--you do know that work is for folks that don't know how to ski!!  Have a blessed day.

Custers Last Stand

Temp down to 8 last night, We traveled from Cheyenne, WT to Laurel, MT (475 miles) with snow most of the way and highs of 13 degrees. Packed and snow on much of the inter-state.
In route we stopped at the Little Big Horn National Battlefield.  Ltc George Armstrong Custer led the 7th Cav into the area about 50 miles South of Billings, MT.  This was the last great battle of the Indian Wars and LTC Custer and two Troops of the 7th Cav were killed.  The battle stretched out over a four mile area and ended at an area known as Last Stand Hill where Custer and the last of the troopers were killed.  If you are ever up this way plan to stop by.
Photos follow of the grave markers place where the troopers fell and Custer died.

                                Grave markers where the 7th Cav Troopers bodies were recovered or buried, on "Last Stand Hill".

                             "Last Stand Hill" with the National Vets Cemetery in the background

The Day Before the Big Day

                                          Beautiful sunrise on Thursday, I-70, as I cross into CO from Kansas

                                         View from the VOQ (Visiting Officer Quarters) the Post
                                         Chapel is in the foreground with the Rockies in the background.
                                          I will check out tomorrow and pick Bill up at the Airport then on to Cheyenne, WY where we will stay at FE Warren Air Force Base.  Temp was 57 here today so most of the snow is gone but never fear, temps drop tonight with 4-6 inches in the forecast for tomorrow.  We will be going North so hope the Interstate is in good shape.  More tomorrow.

Headland to Denver

Departed Thursday about 0830, below freezing from Burmingham on.  Temps hit 0 about 2000 Thrs night while crosing the Kansas plains.  Arrived in Aurora, Co (Denver) and checked into Buckley Air Foece Base, they have a beautiful new lodging facility with views of the Rockies.  Remember you cross the flat land of Kansas and East CO then hit the Rocky Mountains, becaus of the flat lands the mountains seem twice as high,  Lots of snow in tghe mountains and I ran in the snow from mid Kansas to Denver.  Dropped my skis off  to have then tuned and have a little shopping to do tomorrow.  The sunrise this morning was beautiful, I took a few shots and will post them tomorrow.

Larry

Tuesday 21 Jan, 2014

  This years ski trip will began Thursday 23 Jan.  I plan on departing Headland, AL mid-morning inroute to Denver where I will pick up my friend Bill who will fly in from Richmond, VA.  We will drive to Yellowstone National Park and enjoy the park for a few days then on to Big Sky, Mt for a week of skiing.  We will be joined by another friend Donald who will enjoy the skiing for a week or so.  When Donald flies back to the Tidewater, VA area Bill and myself will drive to Wolf Creek, MT to visit family then on to Seattle, WA for a few days before Bill flies back to Richmond. 
  But never fear George and my son oldest son,Travis will fly out and meet me in Seattle, we will drive to Whistler,BC for two weeks and scratch an item off my "Bucket List".  I have wanted to ski at Whistler for many years but could not intrest my friends in the trip. Finally George agreed then Travis decided he could tag along, really glad it all came togather. 

I will post as often as possible, I invite you to check back often, hope to have some photos of our beautiful country.

Look for lots of snow, traffic jams, curvy roads, and tons of fun.