COLD AND COLDER

OK...back in Bozeman again. I do like this place but it is the beginning of July and there is still snow on the ground in the mountains.
I have never seen fireworks over snow on the 4th of July, but it looks like this time that is how I will see them.

It's a simple plan....go to a 4th of July Parade, then to Ennis to a Rodeo and then on to the local ski resort, Big Sky, for fireworks. Hmmmm....sounds like a good day.

Meanwhile its off to Yellowstone National Park for a day of fun. Only about 25 miles from this Montana city, you slip over the border to Wyoming in Gardner where the North Gate of the most famous park in the US. I expected to see hoards of people and cars on this holiday weekend, and yes there were busloads from Trafalgar Tours, Tauck Tours, Brenden Tours and some other local brands, but all the tourists were from international places. At Yellowstone Falls, I felt like I was at the United Nations with people talking Italian, French, Chinese and Hindi. I think there were less US nationals than there were foreigners. This could be because the US dollar is at an all time low in exchange for foreign currency. So it behooves us to welcome these folks from all over to show them our patriotism.

In the places like Mammoth Hot Springs, and Old Faithful...there are lots of people. But off on the other roads through the Park, there are not many cars.....that is until someone spots a buffalo or an Elk. No Grizzly sitings this time though.

We have a pic nic in a place called Sheepfeeder Ridge where I saw a "chippy" or two and some beautiful wildflowers, but aside from this, America's most celebrated National Park seems to be suffering from a lack of tourism.

What a shame that our economy is so bad that we citizens of the US cannot celebrate the founding of our country with a visit to one of our National Parks.

It is cold here, and we pass lots of patches of snow, because the Park lies at an altitude of over 7,000 ft. but after a day of visiting and enjoying the sites, even with the United Nations on bus tours....we head back to Bozeman for over night.

Tomorrow biking, and hiking...there is too much water in the rivers right now for kayaking and fly fishing. That cold snow is melting and along with the rains there are flash floods and rivers and streams are over their banks.

So nights are cold as the winds blow across the snow cover into the warm plains near Bozeman....but the days are nice and warm and I still intend on enjoying my 4th of July celebrations.....cold or colder...no matter. Just time to enjoy.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY TO EVERYONE!