‘Tis the Season
‘Tis the season of light, warmth and cheer! One festive tradition during these dark days of winter is the simple kiss under the mistletoe. This tradition originated in Europe with the Norse tale of the death of Baldur, the God of innocence and light by an arrow made of mistletoe. His mother Frigga’s tears restored…
Read MoreDiscoveries in Your Own Home
Sometimes you make discoveries in your own home. In my case, the discovery was in Gray’s antique map of the Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho territories from 1875, just after the Hayden Survey and the exploration and formation of Yellowstone National Park. The other day, I was gazing at the map in a semi-distracted state when…
Read MoreDip! Wade! Swim!
The water ouzel was my father’s favorite bird. Sometimes I think it was his favorite because he liked to say “water ouzel.” Try it, it’s fun! There are five water ouzel varieties throughout the world, and our local ouzel is the American dipper. (Not as much fun to say.) The American dipper is roughly robin-sized…
Read MoreUnmistakable Signs of Spring
Oh, the signs of spring. Squadrons of Geese are winging northward, stopping briefly in our valley to rest and recharge before continuing on to their summer roosts in Canada. Flocks of Sandhill Cranes entertain us with their distinctive clacking calls as they return from warm southern states. Pronghorn and Mule Deer make their way into…
Read MoreLet it Snow!
It’s ski season in Jackson Hole. Many of us here at Barker-Ewing are lucky enough to both work and recreate on the snow-covered slopes that surround us all winter. And that fluffy white snow is solid gold! When spring arrives, the snow transforms into liquid gold as it melts into the Snake River, our summer…
Read More2020 Float Season is here!
Finally, after a most unpleasant spring, the 2020 Float Season is here! Our crew has spent the last several weeks working on our boats, trailers, and vehicles to make sure everything is ship-shape and ready for action, and scouting the best routes down the Snake River. And at last, Grand Teton National Park is open…
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