A Host's Life

*Critters we’ve seen on our 2013 trip so far:  bison, pronghorn, elk, white-tail deer, Uinta ground squirrel, coyote, snowshoe hare, grizzly bear, moose, wolf, red fox, black bear, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, mule deer
*Birds we’ve seen on our 2013 trip so far: osprey, pheasant, magpie, raven, Canada geese, mountain bluebird, grouse, golden eagle, bald eagle, American avocet, sandhill crane, red-tailed hawk, cliff swallow, northern flicker

[Click on any photo to enlarge.]

Sometimes all it takes is being in the right place at the right time.  We happened to be on duty one day last month when a photographer for the NY Times Sunday Magazine edition showed up in the campground.  He was accompanied by one of the park’s public relations staff who told us that he was doing a pictorial piece on camping in Yellowstone and would be taking photos and interviewing some of the campers in the park.  After spending about 3 hours in our campground, we were asked if we’d mind having our picture taken as well, and of course, we were happy to oblige.  A few days later someone from the Times called to get more info, and we were told that our picture would probably appear online but possibly not in the print edition.  The photographer, Michael Friberg, was kind enough to email us a copy of our photo so we could post it here, and it did appear as photo #15 in the online edition (NYTimes) but we didn’t make the cut in print.  Oh well, such is the price of fame!  J

Mammoth Campground doesn’t have many trees with more of a high desert look so it’s always a little sad when one dies which can happen for any number of reasons, i.e. bug infestation, moving thermal ground water, etc.  Recently after a big wind came through, we found that a large branch over a tent site had broken and was hanging precariously above.  After making the report, we closed off the site and a group from maintenance came down to take care of it.  The tree was huge but well dead, and the determination was made to cut it down.
Russ managed to capture some photos of the process, and amazingly within about an hour the tree was not only down, but all wood was cut up for firewood or put through the grinder, and we were able to re-open the sites we closed for the process.  Pretty amazing!

As hosts we see some of the most interesting sights in the campground at times.  Because not every campsite is level, people sometimes need to use wood blocks or boards to get their vehicle level if they don’t have a leveling system.  However, one camper was quite innovative in the equipment used to get his camper level.  Now keep in mind that we have very strict bear safety regulations in the campground that we review with every camper

at check in allowing no food items, coolers, grills, stoves, toiletries, or anything with an odor to be left out.  Yes, folks, that is a Coleman propane stove he has under the wheel!  Guess he figures the bear would be hard pressed to get to it.  Think this falls under the stupid camper category!



Each year we’re required to attend a radio training class to learn/review the proper technique and use of the park radios we’ve been issued.  It’s a combined class between our campground and the hosts from Indian Creek.  This is our “class photo” from this year of all 6 host couples and our supervisor, Ranger Allan.

 

One of the great things about campground hosting is some of the people you meet.  We’ve had the pleasure of becoming good friends with the Indian Creek hosts, and each year share holiday potlucks and even occasionally have a chance to go out for dinner like we did this season before their campground opened.  It gave us a chance to get acquainted with Ron and Bonnie who are new this year to Indian Creek.

And along the lines of meeting people, sometimes even campers become friends!