We're into the playoffs!
Our softball team, The Slammin' Goofballs, beat the #1 ranked team
in a 5-inning shortened game 10-run mercy rule beating. There was a
3-way tie for 2nd place, but one of the other teams was disqualified
for not providing umpires for another one of the games, so we're in.
Potentially 3 more games with lots of driving to other places in
the park, but it gives us a little more time to play.
Spent some more time in the field this week, dodging camera-touting
tourists oogling at bull elk and bison in Hayden Valley. Most
visitors view Yellowstone as some sort of Safari/Zoo. People stop
in the middle of the road whenever animals are in sight, especially
Elk (bull elk are the favorites, with their large racks), Bison (any
time of year, but especially when the babies are around), and bears
(always, always, always). Our work in the Hayden Valley involved
stopping traffic to GPS manholes in the middle of the street, a
harrowing experience with speeding tourists and large construction
vehicles plying the roads here. We managed to
do it with the assistance of a large maintenance vehicle (with those
handy amber lights) and orange traffic vests. I shall never be
under-appreciative of those hearty folks who stop traffic for
construction again...
Last Friday was my roommate Carrie's birthday. We gave our new
deck a good workout, grilled up a bunch of fish (fresh from Alaska),
ate some cake, and did the typical summer party. Bonfire, frosty
cold drinks, and lots of people stumbling home early in the
morning. Luckily most people live within walking distance, and
there's plenty of couch space for those not able to stumble home.
My friend Mike (former Yellowstone employee, intrepid explorer, and
navigator on the Colorado-to-Vegas portion of my drive west) made it
for the party, and we spent the better part of the weekend fishing
for Trout on the Lamar River. I had no luck (I blame it on the
flies I was using), but Mike caught a couple beautiful Cutthroat
trout.
Later in the week I went rock climbing with a couple of my
coworkers. We went to Yankee Jim Canyon, 15 miles north of the park,
and had a great time bouldering on huge boulders and climbing two
walls at the edge of the canyon. I caved in
(no
pun intended) and purchased a set of climbing shoes - Much easier
than climbing in sandals or hiking boots. It should make me a bit
more proficient at gaining a good foothold and reduce the amount of
falls I take. Ah, another sport to waste time and money in.
Until next week.
Nick
