Sunday,
March 25, 2001 Update
Pinedale
Road Construction Under Way
Another
Paper in Town?
G&F
Proposes to Cut Antelope Licenses
LOCAL
FOCUS:
Boulder
Llama Outfitter in The Wall Street Journal
Trudy's
Take: Spring
Pinedale
Road Construction Under Way
The Wyoming Department of
Transportation has begun a 2-month long road construction project to upgrade
1.3 miles of US 191 (Pine Street) through Pinedale. The project involves
resurfacing and improving road drainage and will last from March through
mid-May. The project plans call for milling the existing pavement and then
placing a new layer of new asphalt. To improve surface water drainage,
concrete “valley pans” will be replaced at five intersections and “slotted
drain” storm sewer inlets will be installed at two sites. Two way traffic
will be maintained at all times during the project and no significant through
traffic delays are expected during the project. There will be some short
times when all traffic will be forced onto one side and to two lanes as
things are paved, but all businesses will have safe and continuous access
at all times. Construction should be completed and the road paved by May
14th, before the peak tourist season arrives.
"We will do
everything we can to be done before tourist season. At no time will people
not be able to travel through town. There will be 2-way traffic at all
times," stated Pinedale Mayor Rose Skinner.
For more details
and a road construction map, please click here: Road
Construction Info
Another
Paper in Town?
It's being called the Sublette
Examiner
and will focus on Sublette County as a community newspaper.
"We chose the name because of the Big Piney Examiner," said Sheri
Nolan, one of the four owners. Former Pinedale Roundup staff members,
Rhonda Swain, Deanne Swain, Cat Urbigkit and Sheri Nolan have teamed together
to start the fledgling newspaper. "We'll cover sports, kids, school activities,
oilfield information, ag information, and more. We won't have two sections,
one for Pinedale and one for Big Piney. It will be Sublette County as a
one-section newspaper. Jim Carble will cover south county, Marbleton, Big
Piney, LaBarge, and county-wide school events, sports, sheriff's beat and
crime. Cat will focus on county, Town Council and environmental issues.
We'll have other columnists including Ethelyne Worl's
column from the Sublette Center, and "From the Hip" by Dan Abernathy."
Three high
school interns: Kate Neely, Tara Bolgiano and Tiffany Swain, will help
with ad design, photography and writing stories. The first issue of the
paper is tentatively scheduled to come out Thursday, April 5th, with 1,500
papers being printed. Regular publishing day will be Thursdays and the
paper will sell for $.50.
The Pinedale
Roundup was purchased earlier last month by Rob Shaul, former editor
of the competing
Sublette County Journal. The Journal ceased
publication and the two newspapers combined, with some staff reduction.
The Sublette
Examiner office is located next to the Patio Grill in the old Delgado
Oil Building at 47 West Pine. The phone number is 307-367-3203, fax: 307-367-3209.
Notices deadline is Friday at 5 pm, advertising & classified deadline
is Monday, 5 pm. Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8 am-5
pm, but the public is asked to be understanding if they are closed sometimes
during those hours
since they are still very short handed and available people still need
to go out to do stories and get advertising. The paper will be closed on
Wednesdays for production.
Subscription
rates are: In County-$23/year, Out of County-$29/year, and Migrators-$26/year.
"Since we are short staffed, we're asking everyone from Girl Scout troops
to other organizations to take a picture and bring in the information.
We're more than happy to print it. We just don't have enough reporters
to attend every event," Nolan added.
"We're still
trying to get all the details ironed out. This has only been in the works
for a couple of weeks, so we've done some fast hustling. We appreciate
everyone's support. The advertisers are all really great. People who want
to show their support for what we are doing can do so by placing ads and
subscribing."
Game
& Fish Proposes to Cut Antelope Licenses
The
Wyoming Game & Fish Department plans to cut antelope licenses by nearly
25% for the 2001 hunting season according to a recent press release. The
also recommend continued liberal elk hunting and deer hunting to remain
similar to the 2000 seasons but with increases to doe/fawn licenses in
some private land areas. Hunters and anyone else interested in the upcoming
seasons are encouraged to attend a season-setting meeting where the proposals
will be presented or mail a comment to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
The G&F is suggesting cutting 9,500 antelope licenses, including 5,000
doe/fawn tags. Last year there were 38,400 antelope licenses sold in Wyoming.
Comments about the proposed hunting seasons will also be accepted through
April 5 by writing: Regulations, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, 3030
Energy Lane, Casper, WY 82604. Copies of specific season proposals are
available by writing the same address. Mettings will be held April 2 at
the Green River Green River G&F Office and April 3 in Jackson at Snow
King, as well as other locations around the state.
All comments presented at meetings and received by mail will be presented
to the G&F Commission before they establish 2001 hunting seasons at
their April 16-17 meeting in Casper. The commission will also accept public
comments at their meeting.
LOCAL
FOCUS:
Boulder
Llama Outfitter featured in article in The Wall Street Journal
Boulder llama breeder and
outfitter, Robert Pauly, of High Plains Llamas, was featured in an article
in the March 19, 2001 edition of The Wall Street Journal, a leading
business and financial newspaper. The story entitled, "Trail Buddies",
appeared in the Encore section and was written by Ellen E. Schultz, a staff
reporter in the New York Bureau of The Wall Street Journal. Last summer
Ms. Schultz took a 3 day, 30-mile trek into the Bridger Wilderness near
Mount Lester using two of Mr. Pauly's llamas, Casper & Omar.
"Like most
backpackers, I have always tended to view people who rely
on pack animals as wimps; this isn't real backpacking, I thought. For their
part, horse and mule packers view backpackers as idiots; why carry all
that stuff when you don't have to. In recent years, though, bad backs,
bike accidents, trick knees, asthma, old age, Lyme disease and parenthood
have made backpacking impossible for a growing number of family and friends.
Suddenly, carrying a 50-pound pack over 11,000 foot passes seemed less
like fun than it used to be." she writes. "Llamas don't bite, rarely kick
and are so easy to handle that one quick lesson is all it takes to prepare
for a wilderness trip" were the claims she had read from dozens of web
sites from outfitters from Alaska to the Adirondacks hyping the advantages
of using llamas over horses or mules. She decided to put those claims to
the test on familiar trails on the western slopes of the Wind River Range
near Pinedale and called up Bob Pauly and High Plains Llamas.
"The first
surprise was that there was no tugging. You go, they go. You stop, they
stop. They were less trouble to walk than a 10-pound poodle. The llamas
were also surprisingly quiet. Several times I turned around to make sure
they were still there. Their feet--padded, not hooved--made almost no impact
on the trail. In contrast, each step of a horse or mule takes is like whacking
the ground with a sledgehammer." At the end of the article, Ms. Schultz
writes, "I have been spoiled. I would definitely take llamas again, as
long as I'm wearing a hat."
High Plains
Llamas is located out of Boulder, Wyoming, approximately 11 miles south
of Pinedale, and can be reached at 307-537-5292 or by e-mail at: hpllamas@wyoming.com.
Their web site is www.hpllamas.com.
"TRUDY'S
TAKE"
"Officially,
by the calendar, it is spring. The really, really strange thing that
is happening in Pinedale, is that it actually feels like spring.
With calving beginning, we should be knee deep in mud or snow. The
snow is disappearing at a rather rapid clip and the mud is just in puddles
and not entire ground cover. The only thing we can figure out is
that sometime while we were sleeping we were transported to another climate.
Then again someone could be lulling us into a false sense of security and
WHAM we will be shoveling four feet of snow.
If that is going to be the case then someone had better tell the feathered
friends that are arriving daily. The red wing black birds have been
here for a few weeks and a blue heron was spotted on Wednesday. Can
the robins be far behind? Whatever the reasons there are those of
us (myself being one) that are enjoying every moment and soaking up every
ray of sunshine warmth that we can 'cause, you just never know........"
What's new "On the Ranch"
with Wyoming Cowgirl?
Calving season has begun
and spring has sprung. Read about the daily life on a working ranch each
week with Wyoming Cowgirl, Cris Paravicini, and life on their ranch just
west of Daniel. She writes about her daily experiences with their cattle,
horses, cow dogs, working machinery, doctoring, haying, and much more.
There's always something that needs to be done, and Cris describes it from
her unique perspective. You don't get more real than this.
www.wyomingcowgirl.com
(Sponsored by Pinedale Online)
Snowbirds:
More rain, snow melting fast. Robins and killdeers are back, yards losing
last of snow. Heard someone complain about DUST on main street the other
day! Street sweeper working on it. Pat: click
here (Snow is almost gone. Is the fudge ready yet?)
Tuesday,
March 20, 2001 Update
Museum
of the Mountain Man
The
Museum of the Mountain Man will be sponsoring a slide presentation about
Sheep Eater Indians and the Sheep Eater Bow, Thursday, March 22 at 7 pm
(more)
Sheep
Eater Indian Presentation
Green
River Rondy Sled Dog Race
Midget
Hockey Team Places 3rd in State
Bike
Path EA Released by BLM
LOCAL
FOCUS:
Game
& Fish Updates
Forest
Service Updates
Museum
Advertises for New Director
Trudy's
Take - Terry Grant
Sheep
Eater Indian Presentation
The
Museum of the Mountain Man is sponsoring a slide presentation by Dr. Larry
Loendorf on the Sheep Eater Indians and the sheep horn bow on Thursday,
March 22, at 7 pm at the Museum. Dr. Loendorf is an independent researcher
and a Professor at New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, whose research
focuses on the Great Plains, the US Southwest ethnography and rock art.
He maintains an active research interest in the basins and mountains of
Wyoming and Montana. Dr. Loendorf has produced video programs on the hunting
traps of the Sheep Eater Shoshone Indians and the making of a horn bow
from bighorn sheep horns.
For this program, the Museum has brought out for display a rare Sheep Eater
bow. These bows, made out of Mountain Sheep horn, were commonly made and
used by the Sheep Eater Shoshone tribe in this area more than 300 years
ago. The bow was found on the Hidden Valley Ranch, or Gros Ventre Ranch,
on the Green River by Phillip Norton about 1950. According to Museum Director,
Laurie Latta, Mr. Norton was riding on horseback and saw a small piece
of the bow sticking out of a bog and recognized it for what it was, when
others might have thought it to be just a stick. It has been examined by
Dr. George Frison, Archaeologist from the University of Wyoming, and determined
to be from the late 1600s-early 1700s.
The public is invited to attend this program. There will also be a preview
of the new Sublette County exhibits in the lower gallery. For more information
about the Museum of the Mountain Man, please click here.
Green
River Rondy Sled Dog Race
The
annual Green River Rondy Sled Dog Race was held March 10-11 in the scenic
Upper Green River area north of Cora, Wyoming. Mushers drove 6-dog teams
from the Forest Service parking lot on a loop that crossed the Green River,
then returned downstream again crossing the Green near Elk Ridge Lodge.
The race was run both Saturday and Sunday, with the lowest combined time
for both days determining the winner. Twelve teams from Colorado, Idaho,
Montana, Utah and Wyoming competed. June Davies of Victor, Idaho, finished
the race in 1st place with an overall time of 0:53:29. Pinedale's Barrie
Raper came in 6th. Click here for more
pictures and information about the race.
Pinedale
High School Hockey Team Places 3rd at State WAHL Playoffs
The
Pinedale High School Age Hockey team traveled to Cody last weekend for
the Wyoming Amateur Hockey League (WAHL) State Playoff games and came home
with 3rd Place in State to end their season. The Midget team ended the
2000-2001 season with 18 wins – 6 losses and 1 tie. They placed 3rd
at the Rock Springs tourney, first at the Gillette tourney and finally
third at the State Playoffs.
This year’s Pinedale Midget (high school age) hockey team was composed
of Steven Svalberg, Wyatt Sheppard, Travis Lanning, Jeff Ellis, Grant Golden,
Casey Ingersoll, David Leniger, Mitchell Brantley, Dallas Dearden, Caleb
Redden, Alan Svalberg, Bryson Hubbert, Brian Powell, Clyde Crumb, Zach
Backman, Derek Moe, Jesse Ellis, and Curtis Laub. This was the last season
for the four seniors, Grant Golden, Casey Ingersoll, Curtis Laub and Zach
Backman. They were coached by R. Craig Sheppard and Jeff Laub. For
more information, articles about games, and pictures, please go to the
Pinedale Hockey web site: http://www.sublette.com/hockey
Bike
Path Plan EA Released by BLM
The
Pinedale Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management has released the
Environmental Assessment for the proposed Pinedale Pedestrian Path for
public review. The 3-1/2 mile long, 8 foot wide asphalt walking path would
be for non-motorized recreation such as pedestrians, joggers, bikers, roller-bladers
and cross-country skiers. The trail would be groomed for winter ski use.
Horses will not be allowed, except to cross the bridge across the Highland
Ditch. The purpose of the path is to provide a safer alternative for non-motorized
recreationists who currently use the Fremont Lake Road for jogging, biking
and walking by providing a separate travel lane and route, reducing the
opportunity for vehicle related collisions.
The proposed route begins just north of the Pinedale Cemetery, follows
the west side of the Fremont Lake road for approximately 2 miles, then
turns northwest on County Road 23-101 past the Pinedale Gun Club shooting
range, then up and over the Pinedale Glacial Moraine Ridge to the CCC Ponds
parking lot. (See maps below) The path won't be ready for use this summer,
but construction should begin around October 15 and completed by the beginning
of November, 2001.
Public comments are being accepted by the BLM until April 13, 2001. Any
comments received by that date will be considered in completion of the
EA and the authorization of the right-of-way across BLM land for the propsed
action. Comments submitted, including names and addresses, will be available
for public review. For more information, contact Doug Powell with the Pinedale
BLM Field Office at 307-367-5322.
LOCAL
FOCUS:
Game
& Fish Updates
The
Pinedale office of the Wyoming Game & Fish Department offers the following
comments about current conditions:
-
Motorists
should be aware that deer and antelope have begun their spring migrations
to their spring/summer ranges and can be found in greater numbers along
highways and crossing roads unexpectedly.
-
Area
rivers and streams are rising and will be high during spring snow melt
season. People boating and floating the streams should make sure boats
are securely tied, and all safety and first aid equipment is on board.
Boaters should be on the alert for turbulent sections of water and fences
and barb wire across streams.
-
With
the warmer days, ice fishermen should use caution on lakes.
-
Soda
Lake opens to fishing on May 10. The area is closed to human presence until
then due to the nearby elk feedground. The main road through to Willow
Lake will be open when the county plows it. The lake will be closed to
motorized boats until April, but canoes and non-power boats are allowed.
-
Beginning
January 1, 2002, new watercraft laws and changes will go into effect.
All motorized watercraft will be required to be registered.
-
Antler
hunters should respect wildlife and give them room. It is illegal to harrass
wildlife with motor vehicles. It is also illegal to possess any skulls
with antlers still attached, unless authorized by the Game & Fish Deparment.
-
Spring
black bear general season opens May 1st. Hunters should check the 2001
regulations for limitations and laws regarding baiting.
-
Sublette
County lake & stream fishing: Burnt Lake: Opens May 1st; Fall Creek:
Opens July 1 (see regulations); Green River Lakes: open year round; Half
Moon Lake: open year round; Meadow Lake: opens July 1st; Fremont Lake:
open year round.
-
The
Pinedale Game & Fish Office will hold their season Open House at the
Sublette County Library on March 27, from 5 pm to 8 pm to discuss 2001
big game and game bird hunting seasons. The public is invited and encouraged
to attend.
Forest
Service Updates
Paula
Johnston, Wilderness Manager for the Pinedale Ranger District, noted yesterday
that while the current drought conditions may mean the Wind River Range
may open up early this year, it could also mean another fire season later
in the summer. The high country could open up in early June this year if
we don't get more moisture. Early visitors should be prepared for wet conditions
at that time, high water at trail crossings, and be alert for bear activity.
"Visitors who are coming to the Winds early should be prepared for muddy
trails. Staying on the trail is very important for the protection of the
resources" she commented.
Currently, snow conditions are deteriorating, and snowmobilers and cross-country
skiers should use caution when recreating in areas that may be prone to
avalanches. Black and Grizzly bears have already been seen out, and
they are awakening to conditions that are less than favorable due to a
limited availability of food sources at this time. Back-country users should
take precautions to properly store food and keep cooking areas away from
sleeping areas. Local Forest Service offices offer bear-proof backpack
food containers to the public for a fee-by-donation ($2). Permitted Outfitters
& Guides on the Forest can also get bear-proof panniers from the Forest
Service.
Forest Service personnel urge visitors who are booking trips into the Bridger
Wilderness or Bridger-Teton National Forest with non-local businesses to
make sure they are permitted Outfitters who are authorized to operate in
the Wind River Mountains and other locations on National Forest and public
lands. Anyone offering trips or guided services on the National Forest
must be a licensed Outfitter permitted by the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
The Forest has already had 3 illegal snowmobiling outfitters and one illegal
hiking trip organizer. None of those businesses offering the guided trips
were local. Visitors are responsible for making sure their trip onto National
Forest or BLM lands is being conducted by a licensed Outfitter or Guide
for hiking, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, snowmobiling, or other
for-pay trips. There are many licensed local Outfitters & Guides for
the Forest, and a list of those businesses can be obtained by calling the
Pinedale Ranger District at 307-367-4326. Many of those businesses also
have web sites with more information about their services.
Beginning next October, the Bridger-Teton National Forest will be participating
in a year-long Recreational Survey to get statistical numbers on users
and usage on the BTNF. Hikers, hunters and snowmobilers will be asked to
take a few moments to voluntarily answer questions about their recreational
activities, how much they are spending, and other questions. This survey,
mandated by Congress, will help determine future recreational funding levels
for the Forest Service. "The public is encouraged to participate, and your
cooperation is appreciated," said Ms. Johnston, "Budgets will be attached
to the results." This summer is year three of the 4-year long process with
National Forests across the United States to collect visitor use information.
Lastly, the Forest Service is currently taking applications for seasonal
employment for this summer for trail crews, wilderness rangers, fisheries,
fire, campground maintenance, timber crews and general recreation. The
job season typically runs from about June 4th - September 30th, with pay
scales ranging from $9-$11/hour, depending on experience. Interested persons
can call 1-877-813-3476 to request an employment application packet.
Museum
of the Mountain Man Advertises for a New Director
The
Museum of the Mountain Man and Sublette County Historical Society have
begun advertising for a full-time Director. Former Director, Laurie Latta,
resigned in late February. The Director position oversees all fund-raising
efforts, programs and activities, annual celebrations and events, grant
writing, educational programs and public relations on local, state and
national levels. The CEO works through a 17-member volunteer Board of Trustees.
A Bachelor's degree is required, and candidates should have excellent oral
and written skills, professional demeanor, strong organizational skills,
and be willing to accept some travel. Interested candidates should send
their salary expectations, experience and current references with resume
to: Sublette County Historical Society, PO Box 909, Pinedale, WY 82941,
Attn: Selection Committee. For more information, call the Museum at 307-367-4101
or e-mail them at museummtman@wyoming.com.
"TRUDY'S
TAKE"
"There
is a sadness hanging over our little town. Terry Grant was known to some
only a short time, and others knew her most of her life. She was a vivacious
lady who lived life to its fullest. Her untimely passing was a shock to
all of us. You somehow don't think of a young single mom, who was very
involved with her kids, as not being there to see them grown with families
of their own. The shadows that surround her death add to the tragedy and
intense feelings of loss. To her friends and family - we are so very sorry,
and offer our deepest sympathy. You are in our thoughts, hearts and prayers.
Let us know how we can help."
Saturday,
March 10, 2001- Pinedale 100 Snowmobile Race
Pinedale
100 Snowmobile Race
The
Pinedale 100 Snowmobile Race was held Saturday on
remont
Lake under blue skies and great weather.
Pinedale
100 Snowmobile Race
Green
River Rondy Sled Dog Race
Grizzly
Bears are Back
Snowbird's
Update
LOCAL
FOCUS:
Pinedale
100 Snowmobile Race Pictures
Pinedale
100 Snowmobile Race
Snowmobile
fans from all over western Wyoming gathered at Fremont Lake Saturday, March
10th, for the Pinedale 100 Snowmobile Races. With sled speeds reaching
as high as 116 miles an hour (according to Afton racer's speedometers),
teams pitted their skills against one another on the frozen surface of
11-mile long Fremont Lake.
The lake, turned parking lot, held vehicles, spectators, racers and
ice fishermen with no difficulty on ice measured to be more than 2 feet
thick.
Ultimately, despite a close race, Bucky's Outdoors' team had to settle
for 2nd place, getting beat out by the team from Afton's Robinson Motors.
The day held races for Juniors (13-17 year olds), Ladies, Veterans (45
yrs & older), and a Dash for Cash. The main P-100 event pitted six,
3-man teams against each other for a 10 lap, 100 mile long race.
Afton's
Robinson Motors team won the Pinedale 100 race.
Scroll
down this page for more pictures from the race! (pictures)
Green
River Rondy Sled Dog Race
The
last Sled Dog Race for the season, the 2nd annual Green River Rondy, is
being held today and tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday, March 10 & 11.
The race will consist of an 8-mile continuous loop over and around the
Green River on National Forest double wide groomed trails.
Mushers and their teams will run the course both Saturday and Sunday, with
the lowest combined time for both days determining who will win the race.
The
Drivers meeting will be at 8:30 AM, and the Race start at 9:30 AM. Entry
fee is $40, $5 of which goes towards grooming Wyoming trails. Please e-mail
Duene
Raper for more information. This year's race is sponsored by CenturyTel.
Click here
for more information.
Sunday:
Race Results
Place |
Musher |
Home Town |
Saturday
Time
|
Sunday
Time |
Total Time |
|
|
|
|
|
14.2 miles |
1 |
June Davies |
Victor, Idaho |
0:26:56 |
0:26:33 |
0:53:29 |
2 |
Kevin Mahoney |
Jackson, Wyoming |
0:25:57 |
0:27:49 |
0:53:46 |
3 |
Ray Gordon |
Rock Springs,
Wyoming |
0:27:16 |
0:28:12 |
0:55:28 |
4 |
Clint Hallam |
Lyman, Wyoming |
0:27:27 |
0:28:34 |
0:56:01 |
5 |
Kate St. Onge |
Milville, Utah |
0:28:06 |
0:28:50 |
0:56:56 |
6 |
Barrie Raper |
Pinedale, Wyoming |
0:27:01 |
0:30:14 |
0:57:15 |
7 |
Janet Smith |
Kandiyohi, Minn. |
0:27:54 |
0:32:02 |
0:59:56 |
8 |
Cole Gines |
Lyman, Wyoming |
0:29:59 |
0:29:59 |
0:59:58 |
9 |
Jerry Bath |
Lander, Wyoming |
0:30:36 |
0:31:08 |
1:01:44 |
10 |
Glenn Lepp |
Lewisville, Idaho |
0:31:12 |
0:34:38 |
1:05:50 |
11 |
Scotty Cassens |
Edgemont, S.Dak. |
0:33:47 |
0:33:26 |
1:07:13 |
12 |
Randy Brennick |
Sturgis, S.Dak. |
0:36:39 |
0:36:58 |
1:13:37 |
Snowmobilers
please take note: The parking lot at the end of Hwy 352 will be pretty
full during the race between dog teams, handlers and snowmachiners with
trailers. Parking will be a bit tricky in the lot, so be prepared for tight
parking spaces if you're planning on sledding in the Upper Green area.
Grizzly
Bears are Back
The
Wyoming Game & Fish Department reports that grizzly bears are emerging
and there has already been a mauling of a cross-country skier by a grizzly
in Grand Teton National Park on March 7th. Bear sightings and tracks have
been reported in several locations across the state, causing Game &
Fish officials to urge recreationists to use the same bear precautions
now that they would use during summer months. That includes making noise
to alert bears to your presence, proper care of foods and odor-causing
items, and carrying commercial pepper spray bear repellant. Although the
G&F recommends antler hunting be delayed in grizzly country until after
spring green-up in early May, the competitive nature of the hobby has some
antler hunters beginning their search in early March. Last year there were
112 human-grizzly conflicts reported in Wyoming.
According to a Wyoming Game & Fish press release, Grizzly Bear Conflict
Officer Mark Bruscino commented that it is not unusual for some bears to
emerge this early. "Typically, boars emerge from their dens earlier than
sows, with sows and young of the year cubs emerging in late April and early
May," he said. Bears wander big game winter ranges in early spring searching
for winter-killed deer and elk. This year's mild winter in northwest Wyoming
will make it difficult for early emerging bears to find food and this could
bring bears into conflict with people, Bruscino predicts.
Snowbird's
Update
For
our Snowbirds who are basking in 80 degree weather somewhere with palm
trees, we know you are longing to get back up here to your beloved Pinedale.
But, you are no doubt asking yourselves, what's it like here right now?
Here's your report:
-
Faler's
parking lot has melted.
-
The
hockey rink still has ice, but is mooshed out on the blue lines. The kids
don't care, they just hop over those spots. The rink ice won't last much
longer with these warm days however.
-
Yards
currently have from 2 feet of snow to bare grass, depending on where the
sun shines.
-
Folks
are still keeping faucet bleeders on, as night's are still cold. But days
are consistently "no-coat" temperatures for the locals.
-
Still
haven't seen any kids in shorts yet, but probably won't be long. Bicycles
are out.
-
Blackbirds
are back, but haven't heard any Sandhill Cranes yet, or robins.
-
Town
side streets are a mushy-mess right now, especially at intersections. Ok
to go north-south, but east-west is dicey. Snowplow drivers are working
hard to keep up with the snowmelt mess.
-
Piles
of plowed snow next to the roads range from 1 to 5 feet high. Kids use
the tallest ones to make snowforts out of. No one has named them yet. Downtown
sidewalks still have some snow/ice in shady places.
-
Snowmobilers
who know tell us they still have another good month of sledding in the
Upper Green. The Continental Divide Trail along the highway south of town
is down almost to grass.
-
Pat,
the Sundance Motel parking lot is mostly melted. But the snowplow folks
knew you weren't around and your entryways are still blocked with piles
of road snow. It will take awhile for that to melt off so anyone can get
in to your place.
Hope
you all had a good winter! We look forward to seeing you all again soon!
LOCAL
FOCUS: Pictures from the Pinedale 100 Snowmobile
Race
Friday,
March 2, 2001 Update - Ice Fishing Derby
White
Pine Ski Area Day Lodge has finished the new deck.
The
ski area will be open 7 days a week until Easter.
Pinedale
Boat Club Ice Fishing Derby
Green
River Rondy Sled Dog Race
CD
Snowmobile Trail Update
White
Pine
Wild
Horse Killings Update
Green
River Rendezvous
Rabies/Mountain
Lion Update
LOCAL FOCUS:
Science
Fair
Latta
Resigns from Museum
"Trudy's
Take"Moats
of No Return
Ice
Fishing Derby on Fremont Lake
The
Pinedale Boat Club will hold their Fremont Lake Ice Fishing Derby on Saturday
and Sunday, March 3rd and 4th. Prizes will be awarded for the winning fish.
The Derby begins at 7 am both mornings, and ends at 4 pm on Saturday and
2 pm on Sunday. Call Ron Wilson, 307-367-2442 for more information.
Green
River Rondy Sled Dog Race
The
last Sled Dog Race for the season, the Green River Rondy, will be held
next Saturday and Sunday, March 10 & 11. The race will consist of an
8-mile continuous loop over and around the Green River on National Forest
double wide groomed trails. The Drivers meeting will be at 8:30 AM, and
the Race start at 9:30 AM. Entry fee is $40, $5 of which goes towards grooming
Wyoming trails. Please e-mail Duene
Raper for more information. This year's race is sponsored by CenturyTel.
Click here
for more information.
Snowmobilers
please take note: The parking lot at the end of Hwy 352 will be pretty
full that weekend between dog teams, handlers and snowmachiners with trailers.
Parking will be a bit tricky in the lot, so be prepared for tight parking
spaces if you're planning on sledding in the Upper Green area.
Continental
Divide Snowmobile Trail
The
Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail between Irish Canyon to The Place
currently has 3"-12" base and is not being groomed. From The Place to
the Upper Green River area, the Trail has 24"-36" base and is being
groomed. We still have at least another month of snowmachining left,
so come on up and enjoy the nice weather March brings! Local businesses
offer snowmachine sales,
rentals & service. Guided
snowmachine trips are available through local
guides. Already have your own machine and looking for a place to
go away from the rest? Visit our Cabins
page! Click on links for more information.
White
Pine
White
Pine Ski area will be open until Easter in mid-April. They currently have
a 46" base of powder and packed powder and are open 7 days a week. Food
services are available inside the lodge, and the decks are now open! Come
up and ski on the uncrowded slopes with almost no lift line waiting! Even
if you don't ski, come on up and enjoy lunch out on the new deck. Hours
9 AM - 4 PM. Call 307-367-6606 for the latest ski conditions or visit their
web site for more information, www.whitepineski.com.
Wild
Horse Killings Update
We
have received a number of e-mails from you asking if there is any news
about the killing of the wild horses near Rock Springs and Rawlins in January.
We contacted the Wyoming BLM office and were told, "We currently have no
new information on the horse killings," by Cindy Wertz, Public Affairs
Specialist for the Wyoming State Office. As soon as we hear anything more,
we'll post it here. For earlier reports, click
here.
Green
River Rendezvous
The
early schedule of events is out for the Green River Rendezvous, held
each year the second weekend in July. This year the dates are July 12-15.
Planned events include the return of Native American Historian Michael
Terry, and Museum of the Mountain Man "Historian in Residence" Dr. Fred
Gowans, Professor of History at BYU. Faire Wynds will also return with
"Gamboling on the Green". The Mountain Men's Trader's Row will once
again be located in the County Park on Pine Street next to the old library
and Chamber Hut. Click here for more information about the upcoming
events. Rendezvous
Rabies/Mountain
Lion Update
Love
your pet? Make sure his rabies shots are up to date, says Julie Early,
Animal Control Officer for the Town of Pinedale. Several cases of rabies
have been reported in skunks in the Farson area. It is possible infected
animals, mostly skunks and racoons, may make their way to Pinedale along
waterways, putting local pets at risk if they are bitten. Julie encourages
pet owners to make sure their animal's shots are current and report any
encounters with animals acting strangely.
Julie also advises local residents that a male mountain lion has been observed
on several occasions in residential areas near Pine Creek south of Hwy
191 in Pinedale. So far there haven't been any reports of attacks on domestic
animals or people, but deer have been reported missing. This time of year,
"Town Deer" are thought of almost as pets by many locals who look forward
each day to the visits by certain deer to their yards. Julie commented
that several deer have been missed by locals over the last couple of weeks.
LOCAL
FOCUS:
-
Pinedale
High School student Sara Maclean won the Grand Prize at last week's Southwest
Wyoming District Science Fair at Western Wyoming Community College
in Rock Springs for her project, "Showing Some Backbone When You Don't
Have One: Annelid Behavioral Algorithms for Autonomous Explorers". Sara
also won 1st Place in the Senior Engineering Division, and was awarded
a WWCC scholarship. Pinedale Middle School and High School students participated
in the event and placed. Pinedale school participation in Science Fair,
and strong placement, has been a tradition for many years, and is a commendation
to the many hours of effort the local teachers invest into instilling an
interest in science skills to Pinedale students.
-
Museum
of the Mountain Man's Director Laurie Latta resigned last Wednesday
at the regular meeting of the Sublette County Historical Society. The Society
has formed a search and selection committee to begin the search for a new
Executive Director. Ms. Latta worked for almost 10 years on behalf of the
Museum and contributed greatly to its success. We thank Laurie for her
dedication and hard work she invested in the Museum, and the many long
hours she spent organizing the quality Museum-sponsored events and the
annual Green River Rendezvous and Pageant in Pinedale.
"TRUDY'S
TAKE"
Those
who live here in Pinedale well know Trudy here at Office Outlet and her
ability to size up situations and put her own unique spin on them. We'll
be sharing her stories with you from time to time here under "Trudy's Take".
"The Chamber of Commerce should advertise a new attraction that has occured
in our fair town. Instead of "a field of dreams" we now have "streets
of nightmares." Disney Land has no ride that compares to the excitement
we experience as we try to wend our vehicles through the streets. For those
without the benefit of four-wheel drive, the east and west streets have
"moats of no return" at the intersections. The drastic drops when
you make the transition from ice to pavement brings back memories of summer
time and roller coaster rides with an added twist of that side to side
motion when employing the rut avoidance technique. It can be an exciting
"white knuckler." Come on over to Pinedale, bring your favorite monster
truck and have a blast. The front-end alignment guys are ready and waiting
with very large smiles." |