55 on the fly

Over the past few days we explored the less wild side of the Yellowstone area.  We spent a day in Bozeman, one of our favorite places to browse.  We had lunch at an old refurbished gas station and enjoyed watching the town activities from our table outside.  After that Doug found a coffee shop while I visited the many shops along the historic section of town. On Saturday night we went to the 14th Annual Gardiner Brewfest at Arch Park.  I think the entire town was there along with any available tourists.  We attended this two years ago and it has definitely grown into an event.  We sampled several local brews, ate some brats with sauerkraut while listening to some good music and talking with friends. The Brewfest is held at Arch Park every year just below the historical archway into Yellowstone. Here is Ben with one of our favorite friends, his daughter Rivers. Leaving the Brewfest - yes I know it is a bit fuzzy:) Over the last...

Here's my version of an old fly that I still tie for Parks Fly Shop in Gardiner, MT located just outside the North entrance to the park.  It's a simple wet fly to tie.  Use it as a dropper or swing a pair of them through a nice run.  The brook trout in the park really like this fly, fished behind a Coachman Trude makes for a deadly combination. Hook: MFC 7076, size 14-16 Thread: red danville Tail: red yarn, needloft  Body: peacock Rib: gold wire Hackle: grizzly hen soft hackle Photographed and tied by Doug Korn

Our last campfire in Gardiner was on a typical cool evening with the gentle breeze that always blew through the mountains.  We made some delicious grilled cheese sandwiches in our pie iron - Yum!  We hated to go to bed knowing that we only had one last day in this peaceful place.  The next day we packed up, took a walk, and had dinner at Rosie's.  We met some good friends there for a last drink or two and promised to stay in touch. Grilled cheese done to perfection! Doug, Ben, and Wilson - some great friends in Gardiner. We certainly have done everything we wanted to do (except for my zip-lining) and definitely more than we expected.  We saw some beautiful places and went to areas where only a few lucky people get to go.  It was such a privilege to be able to experience YNP the way that we did.  Doug has been scouting out all of the best spots for the past several years and he picked out all of the best ones to share with me.  We a...

Living as a Gardiner MT resident for a month was wonderful.  The pace is nice and slow, the air is soft and cool.  The town itself is small and you can visit each store and business easily within a few hours.  There are no stop lights and the library is only open on Tuesdays and Thursdays.   Once you are done checking out the town, there is nothing left to do but read, fish and relax. In Gardiner we walked everywhere.  It was good daily exercise since our campground was up a pretty steep hill.   Right next door is the amazing Yellowstone River and we could go over and play anytime we wanted to. Looking up at our campground.  Those buildings with red roofs are little cabins that you can rent. This is the view from the bridge going over the Yellowstone river.  See the campground in the upper left? Parks Fly Shop This is Park's Fly Shop where Doug works - or worked.  He is still tying flies for them throughout the year bu...

Take a look at this short video clip from our hike into Gardner's Hole.  At the end of the clip you will see a dark green stand of pines.  That was where we were hiking for our fishing trip that day.  This is as close as I can get you without a plane ticket!  Enjoy!

It has been over one month living in our fifth-wheel RV.  We have two more weeks to go and so far we are really enjoying it.  Our "rig" is very comfortable with all that we need and more.  There is just enough room for the two of us plus our dog Stella.  Here are some pictures of our home away from home. Dining Room and entertainment area. Bedroom; with sink, toilet and stand up shower. Kitchen, living room, foyer.  Can you find Stella?? Here is a view from our campground in Gardiner, MT. This is the entrance to the campground and the view as I take my walk into town almost every day.

We found the best place in Gardiner to watch for the full moon.  A couple of PBRs, a guy on an electric piano singing Moon River, and good company up on the roof of one of the restaurants.  We sat and talked and just watch dusk settle over the entrance to YNP. We could sit here all day! Here she comes! What a treat to see the "Green Corn Moon" in such a beautiful place!