Daughter is making eggs for me after listening patiently to a bunch of stories I have been waiting to
tell her. She is a trooper. After eggs, we are chillin' in the $400 dollar hot tub from target. Living the dream!
WHile I was gone, Jolene cleaned and organized the garage, before the networks approached me to film the next episode of hoarders. She is the hardest worker, and I am very thankful for a new garage! How she was able to do this while I was away is a miracle!
Bright out west! I like the wide open spaces. Took a photo for some tourists, but thought I would take this picture of myself! No, I am not in agony, just need some new shades!
ND is beautiful. especially as you near the MT line!
East bound me down, loaded up and trucking....we gonna do what they say can't be done....we got a long ways to go, and a short time to get there...I'm east bound just watch old bandit run.
so much depends upon:
a blue bandana
the snake river
people's emotions
talking with their eyes.
If only I knew then what I know now
cliche but true that the eyes are the window to the soul
and often the main danger zone,
kenny loggins top gun,
Avoid eye contact at all costs with the other animals.
-Or-
talk without saying anything
River Guide (rough draft)
He has smile lines
and walks the walk
to say the fucking least.
Man, I admired that man!
He was humble and happy and poor
Fuck that! He wasn't fucking poor. He was ten
times richer than the billionaires on their 5 million dollar
acre in Jackson. He is the river
with zen like mind-state
found in the riches of mother earth.
He morphed into the snake, but was adaptable to all kinds of rivers,
and he read them like a well trained editor while I was still working on
a first novel.
He was my friend from the start, and always will be!
May the river guide live on...
swimming upstream through things natural and true, devoid
of all old money trying to ruin everything natural (wait a minute...I am also part of the problem)
for my children's children.
Down with the man.
River guide
for president,
but praise Mother Earth,
he won't ever leave the rivers....
Got a chance to go on a paddling trip down the Snake River. It was really fun and mellow, class 3. I talked to my favorite river guide in the world I have ever met...he was originally from Michigan, but had been on the Pro Fun tour, guiding and traveling all over the US and world for years. He mentioned he takes a girlfriend with him, and they just travel around following the rivers, mountains, and seasons.
He told me that people surf this spot, so I posted a video of the place above. It is down by Howback Junction, WY.
I enjoyed driving over to Wyoming, and I think more roadtrips are in the future. I actually like getting to see the country this time of the year, and the drive through montana, and north dakota was beautiful. I am getting the itch to get back on the road, and I just got home at 1 pm today. Maybe I do having some pro fun tour or trucking blood left in my system!
It wouldn't be easy driving, but it would be alot nicer in a rig like this:
I found this times article on Sage Grouse in Wyoming. I didn't get a chance to see one when I was out there, but I have seen the prairie chicken, in NW Minnesota, were I grew up, and its dance was humorous, wacky, poetic, and just all kinds of brilliant. If you ever get the chance...well, here is a video of the prairie chickens found up in my hometown area, followed by the plight of the sage grouse due to Haliburton in Wyoming.
CASPER, Wyo. — In a new oil field among the rolling hills near here, Chesapeake Energy limits truck traffic to avoid disturbing the breeding and nesting of a finicky bird called the greater sage grouse. To the west, on a gas field near Yellowstone National Park, Shell Oil is sowing its own special seed mix to grow plants that nourish the birds and hide their chicks from predators.
And on a 320,000-acre ranch near the northern tail of the Sierra Madres, developers of an enormous wind farm have decided not to plant turbines where some of the best onshore winds in the world blow because it is in prime grouse territory.
The spotted owl never had it this good. But like that bird, which became a bitter symbol of the conflict between the environment and economic development a generation ago, the greater sage grouse — a chickenlike bird known for its flamboyant courtship strut — has seen its numbers plunge far and fast.
Now, federal officials are weighing putting it on the endangered species list — setting off a mad scramble among the unlikeliest of allies to save the bird and avoid disrupting the nation’s enormous growth in energy production. With a range stretching over more than 165 million resource-rich acres across 11 states, the grouse is at the center of one of the country’s most important struggles: to balance the demand for energy against the needs of nature. And in the process, it has put two environmental priorities — preserving species and fostering renewable energy — on a collision course.
Photo
Garry Miller and Kara Choquette of the Power Company of Wyoming at the site of a wind power project.Credit Jim Wilson/The New York Times
“Remember the economic impact of the spotted owl and how much it reduced timber production on federal lands?” Representative Cory Gardner, Republican of Colorado, said in an interview. “The sage grouse has seven times the acreage of the spotted owl. You are looking at billions of dollars in lost economic activity, millions of dollars in lost state and local revenues and tens of thousands of jobs being lost.”
Environmentalists say the only way to save the grouse is to restrict use of the lands — whether for energy, housing, mining, ranching, hunting or recreation — which is exactly what an endangered species designation would do. Already, federal officials have delayed, altered or denied permits for more than two dozen energy projects in the West because of the bird.
“The sage grouse issue may finally put the brakes on the fossil-fuel industry in a way that no other factor has been able to,” said Erik Molvar, a wildlife biologist at WildEarth Guardians, an advocacy group.
That prospect has prompted an unusual collaboration among state and industry leaders to show federal wildlife officials, who have until September 2015 to decide on the endangered designation, how the bird can coexist with economic development. And federal officials, frequently at odds with one another over such matters in the past, are in on the act, overseeing an enormous effort among all the affected states to pre-empt the designation.
Once abundant in at least 13 Western states and three Canadian provinces, the greater sage grouse now covers 11 states — California, Colorado, Idaho, North and South Dakota, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Federal wildlife officials say the bird’s numbers have declined as much as 80 percent over the last century, largely because of loss of habitat. Environmentalists estimate its population at 150,000 to 400,000, less than 10 percent of its historical abundance.
Nowhere is the scramble more intense than in Wyoming, which claims more than a quarter of the remaining habitat and has a commitment to development of energy, which has boomed here. The sweeping valleys and wide-open ranchlands contain valuable resources including oil, natural gas, uranium, low-sulfur coal and wind, whose harnessing could all but stop if the grouse were listed as an endangered species.
Recognizing this, the state began writing a conservation plan six years ago that now serves as a model. But many environmentalists say Nevada, Utah and Colorado are still behind, and if even a few states lag, the greater sage grouse could go the way of other threatened species like spotted owls and piping plovers.
Gov. Matt Mead of Wyoming expressed frustration with that prospect, given his state’s preservation of 15 million acres of land at a cost of $32 million and millions of dollars more from the private sector. He suggested that a listing could jeopardize conservation efforts in the state.
“If you pull the rug from under us on this, what is going to be the incentive for Wyoming to continue to show leadership?” Mr. Mead said in an interview, referring to federal officials.
Photo
Sage grouse in a part of Wyoming where Shell has gas fields.Credit Jim Wilson/The New York Times
Cruised out through North Dakota on my trip to Hoback Junction, WY. The weather was very warm, and I stopped at my brother's place in Bismarck, and got a chance to go swimming with my nephews in their pool. It was great staying with my brother. He cooked the best wood fired pizza I have ever eaten. I drove west on 94 and took some pictures along the way.
driving through North Dakota seeing lots of trucks, which are always cool to identify on road trips.
We met with the BLM today in Pinedale, Wyoming, and learned about the way Haliburton treat mother earth.. It was a disturbing site surround by beautiful mountains and meadows, but driving through the drill site was an eye opener. The oil companies, like Haliburton, wasn't dick cheney involved with this company, and governor of Wyoming? The drill pads are loud, and disturbing, and the constant rumbling of oil trucks across this once peaceful BLM land made me wonder if we the people really do own this BLM land. Haliburton has to do reclamation, and if they don't the fine is 2,500 dollars. The BLM staff speaking to us complained about spending a great deal of their time grant writing, and I found myself wondering why all of this would have to be such a win/win for Haliburton. After they drill out millions of gallons of oil, Haliburton often just pays the 2500 dollars, and now our BLM land has cancer warning signs, which I have only seen before on packs of smokes. I don't think my family with be building near this site, especially with the dry loose soil, and constant high winds. I am going to start researching electric cars.
These signs were all over open loose dirt plots abandoned by Haliburton. We the people get 12% of the royalties...I mean the federal government does. I feel sorry for haliburton having to pay the 2500 dollar fine for abandoning loose soil with cancer causing agent that were blowing around like crazy on this dry dusty Wyoming day. I bet they draw millions of gallons from that well. Seems to me, they are stinking rich, and can't even clean up their own mess. But they do have the $2500 dollar fine: ) Here is some recent info. on the subject from the NY Times:
CASPER, Wyo. — In a new oil field among the rolling hills near here, Chesapeake Energy limits truck traffic to avoid disturbing the breeding and nesting of a finicky bird called the greater sage grouse. To the west, on a gas field near Yellowstone National Park, Shell Oil is sowing its own special seed mix to grow plants that nourish the birds and hide their chicks from predators.
And on a 320,000-acre ranch near the northern tail of the Sierra Madres, developers of an enormous wind farm have decided not to plant turbines where some of the best onshore winds in the world blow because it is in prime grouse territory.
The spotted owl never had it this good. But like that bird, which became a bitter symbol of the conflict between the environment and economic development a generation ago, the greater sage grouse — a chickenlike bird known for its flamboyant courtship strut — has seen its numbers plunge far and fast.
Now, federal officials are weighing putting it on the endangered species list — setting off a mad scramble among the unlikeliest of allies to save the bird and avoid disrupting the nation’s enormous growth in energy production. With a range stretching over more than 165 million resource-rich acres across 11 states, the grouse is at the center of one of the country’s most important struggles: to balance the demand for energy against the needs of nature. And in the process, it has put two environmental priorities — preserving species and fostering renewable energy — on a collision course.
Photo
Garry Miller and Kara Choquette of the Power Company of Wyoming at the site of a wind power project.Credit Jim Wilson/The New York Times
“Remember the economic impact of the spotted owl and how much it reduced timber production on federal lands?” Representative Cory Gardner, Republican of Colorado, said in an interview. “The sage grouse has seven times the acreage of the spotted owl. You are looking at billions of dollars in lost economic activity, millions of dollars in lost state and local revenues and tens of thousands of jobs being lost.”
Environmentalists say the only way to save the grouse is to restrict use of the lands — whether for energy, housing, mining, ranching, hunting or recreation — which is exactly what an endangered species designation would do. Already, federal officials have delayed, altered or denied permits for more than two dozen energy projects in the West because of the bird.
“The sage grouse issue may finally put the brakes on the fossil-fuel industry in a way that no other factor has been able to,” said Erik Molvar, a wildlife biologist at WildEarth Guardians, an advocacy group.
That prospect has prompted an unusual collaboration among state and industry leaders to show federal wildlife officials, who have until September 2015 to decide on the endangered designation, how the bird can coexist with economic development. And federal officials, frequently at odds with one another over such matters in the past, are in on the act, overseeing an enormous effort among all the affected states to pre-empt the designation.
Once abundant in at least 13 Western states and three Canadian provinces, the greater sage grouse now covers 11 states — California, Colorado, Idaho, North and South Dakota, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Federal wildlife officials say the bird’s numbers have declined as much as 80 percent over the last century, largely because of loss of habitat. Environmentalists estimate its population at 150,000 to 400,000, less the10 percent of its historical abundance.
Nowhere is the scramble more intense than in Wyoming, which claims more than a quarter of the remaining habitat and has a commitment to development of energy, which has boomed here. The sweeping valleys and wide-open ranchlands contain valuable resources including oil, natural gas, uranium, low-sulfur coal and wind, whose harnessing could all but stop if the grouse were listed as an endangered species.
Recognizing this, the state began writing a conservation plan six years ago that now serves as a model. But many environmentalists say Nevada, Utah and Colorado are still behind, and if even a few states lag, the greater sage grouse could go the way of other threatened species like spotted owls and piping plovers.
Gov. Matt Mead of Wyoming expressed frustration with that prospect, given his state’s preservation of 15 million acres of land at a cost of $32 million and millions of dollars more from the private sector. He suggested that a listing could jeopardize conservation efforts in the state.
“If you pull the rug from under us on this, what is going to be the incentive for Wyoming to continue to show leadership?” Mr. Mead said in an interview, referring to federal officials.
Photo
Sage grouse in a part of Wyoming where Shell has gas fields.
-This morning, I woke up about 5 am, got a cup of coffee, and went out back to have a cigarette. With highs in the 90's yesterday, it was a chilly 37 degrees today. I chatted with a man that lives in these mountain year around, and he said there growing season is extremely short, as in his location, he only has about a 50 growing season. I told him I have to quit bitching about Minnesota's short growing season, and we had a few good laughs, but it was downright chilly. He has been a wealth of information since I arrived at this place, and he has taught me about marten trapping, good locations to view moose and other wildlife, and some of the tricks and adaptations he uses to survive in this mountain environment. He told me this morning about how he built raised bed gardens and used pvc and plastic sheet tunnels but many of the plants I take for granted in my northern Minnesota garden were off limits up here. Overall, he has been a wealth of information, and a great person to learn from.
Wyoming Plan Allows Oil Drilling in Heart of Remaining Sage Grouse Habitat
2.4 Million-acre Plan Panders to Big Oil and Gas, Ignores Science
WASHINGTON— A new land-management plan for 2.4 million acres of federal public land near Lander, Wyo., will allow oil and gas drilling in the heart of greater sage grouse habitat and protect just 4 percent of their most critical mating and nesting areas in core areas. Ironically, the plan released today was revised by the Bureau of Land Management to address needed protections for the greater sage grouse, an iconic western bird that depends on sagebrush habitat in Wyoming and throughout the American West.
“The Lander plan is exactly what greater sage grouse don’t need. Rather than protecting these birds, the BLM is handing some of their last remaining habitat over to the oil and gas industry,” said Randi Spivak with the Center for Biological Diversity. “A few companies may squeeze some short-term profits out of it, but the long-term effect will be pushing these great prairie birds to the brink of extinction.”
The BLM’s Lander plan follows the much-touted “Wyoming Core Area Strategy,” which is far less than what BLM’s own scientists have said is necessary to conserve the species in their National Technical Team Report.
“The best available science is clear: Mating and nesting areas will suffer under this plan, with inadequate buffers to protect them. Clearly the protection of the Endangered Species Act will be needed to save this species from extinction,” said Spivak.
The greatest threat to greater sage grouse in Wyoming is oil and gas development. There are vast areas in Wyoming where the greater sage grouse has already been extirpated following oil and gas industrialization.
Sage grouse populations in Wyoming have declined approximately 60 percent during the six years that the state’s “core area strategy” has been in effect. The BLM, which oversees more than half of sage grouse habitat in the West, is revising scores of management plans to demonstrate they can provide protection for the bird that would render an Endangered Species Act listing unnecessary. A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decision on whether to list the species under the Endangered Species Act is due in late 2015.
About half of the sage grouse’s range has been destroyed and lost to development. What remains is critically important to wildlife and recreation opportunities. Less than 3 percent of sage grouse landscape is protected in national parks, wilderness, monuments or wildlife refuges.
Among the top flaws of the Wyoming Core Area Strategy are:
Vital core sage grouse habitat remains open to new oil and gas drilling.
The strategy protects only 4 percent of the most critical remaining mating and nesting habitat. The BLM plan recommends tiny, 0.6-mile buffers around leks. In contrast, scientists recommend a 4-mile “no disturbance” buffer around leks where areas have been leased for industrial development.
There are no protections for sage grouse winter habitat. Merely not drilling during the winter provides no protection; there must be habitat for sage grouse to return to the next winter.
It would allow nearly twice as much sage grouse habitat to be degraded and destroyed as Fish and Wildlife Service scientists recommend.
“Leaving room for greater sage grouse in the American West also means providing for pronghorn, kit foxes, pygmy rabbits and 350 other declining plants and animals. It also means protecting the amazing remaining vast open landscapes of the West,” said Spivak.
To learn more about our work to protect public lands and wildlife click here.
We took the vans up to Pinedale, WY and learned about the way the oil industry aka Haliburton, affects two species. The sage grouse has declined and so have the corridors of the antelope and mule deer, and many of the giant oil pads are stacked across this landscape. It is very beautiful, mountainous country, that feels as if it has been untouched since the days of the fur trader's rendezvous, which was my favorite stop of the trip. I had a moment in which I was staring at the valley where all the mountain men of our country's past would gather. Men that traversed this harsh landscape, and lived rugged lives fueled by what was around the next bend. As I looked across the expanse, it was like looking back at time, and standing where these pioneers of our country used to party and swap tales and furs was one of those experiences that I will never forget.
Camped in Hoback campground last night after a long drive through Yellowstone. Park ranger was kind enough to let me pass through the park for free...." Didn't see you, and you didn't see me: ). Yellowstone is busy but the waves were breaking like mad due to the winding weather. The water is very cold, kinda like Lake Superior.
Day one at the Wilderness school. I checked in, I camped in hoback junction forest service site- 15 bucks a night, and drove up and hiked some waterfalls. My phone hasn't worked since I got to Wyoming. Camp is nice, and I have my own room. Met a nice trapper that lives up here and traps pine marten. This is some very beautiful country, especially Granite Falls:
My friend Kevin and I paddled the Pine River today from Chickamaw Beach to Whitefish. It was a good six hour paddle, with good agate hunting, perfect weather, and a refreshing lack of development on this stretch of the river. The Pine River even has some some rapids, and was really relaxing with a few challenging sections.
My whole saturday and sunday too
I was thinking about ways not to lose
I lay down my weapons is what I've done
Too late to hide, feet too soft to run
But people say I'm the luckiest man
Yeah they say
Running is useless and fighting is foolish
You're not gonna win but still you're the luckiest man you're up against
And too many horses and mysterious forces
What you don't know is you are the luckiest man
You're the luckiest man
I done talked to the devil when he calls my name
But sometimes when I'm losing it all seems the same
And when I fall I'm back up again
Just to slip on the same mistakes and slide right back in
But people say I'm the luckiest man
Yeah they say,
Running is useless and fighting is foolish
You're not gonna win but still you're the luckiest man you're up against
And too many horses and mysterious forces
What you don't know is you are the luckiest man
You're the luckiest man
Try to keep my faith and keep my mind
Hate to lose either one when the whip cracks behind
And I can't help but mourning just a little each night
People say everything is gonna be alright
They say I'm the luckiest man
Yeah they say,
That running is useless and fighting is foolish
You're not gonna win but still you're the luckiest man you're up against
And too many horses and mysterious forces
What you don't know is you are the luckiest man
You're the luckiest man
You're the luckiest man
Refreshing to see a chance for some waves on Superior today. I can't drive over that way with the SUP, but I am going to be checking the camera today. Friend of mine with all the gear has some new SUPs arriving today, and he is interested in going over to the big lake soon. I will post pics. from the trip to Mother Superior. Check out the Superior nearshore forecast for today: 2-4ft.?
SILVER BAY HARBOR TO TWO HARBORS MN- 352 AM CDT FRI JUL 11 2014 .TODAY...S WIND 5 TO 10 KT INCREASING TO 10 TO 15 KT IN THE LATE MORNING AND EARLY AFTERNOON...THEN BECOMING SW 5 TO 10 KT LATE IN THE AFTERNOON. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. WAVES 1 TO 3 FT BUILDING TO 2 TO 4 FT IN THE LATE MORNING AND AFTERNOON. .TONIGHT...SW WIND 5 TO 10 KT INCREASING TO 10 TO 15 KT IN THE LATE EVENING AND OVERNIGHT...THEN BECOMING W 5 TO 10 KT LATE. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE EVENING. WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. .SATURDAY...NW WIND AROUND 5 KT BECOMING W LATE IN THE MORNING... THEN BECOMING SW IN THE AFTERNOON. PARTLY CLOUDY. WAVES 2 FT OR LESS. .SATURDAY NIGHT...W WIND 5 TO 10 KT. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AFTER MIDNIGHT. WAVES 2 FT OR LESS.
Looks like the north shore of Superior is the place to be, but I don't see a leer jet in my future as a freelance writer/teacher. I need a red bull sponsorship: )
I am going to attend this year. Thanks to Evan and MN SURF Co. for setting up the event. I am bringing my family and boards. Here is the info. from http://www.mnsurf.com/SUP race. Check out the flyer and more info. below:
-"Mark
your calendar for July 12th, 2014. Our annual MN Surf Co Stand Up
Paddle Board race is back with a bang. It just gets bigger and better
every year. This year we have added a couple fun new events as well as a
boat load of prizes. There will be a gear demo for those looking to try
the latest and greatest boards, paddles, and gear. As always, there
will be great food, music, sun and smiles. "
The
event takes place on beautiful Gull Lake in the heart of the Brainerd
Lakes area. The Brainerd Lakes area is a premier vacation destination.
With hundreds of tranquil lakes, Minnesota's top Golf courses, great
dining, and ample resorts, the Brainerd Lakes Area has it all.
Make a weekend of it. With so much to offer, why not bring the family
and hang out in one of Minnesota's most relaxing and most exciting
vacation areas. Drop a line for your chance at a tasty Walleye, paddle
board a chain of lakes, browse the shops of Nisswa, Sip a cocktail while
watching the sunset.
The MN Surf Co Stand Up Paddle Board
race is now a full day of events, food, music and prizes. There are
multiple distance paddle board races, dash for cash sprint races, kids
race, gear demos, and a limbo contest. Plus the added Log Rolling
Competition!!!! The course is very spectator friendly as
it brings competitors up close and personal every lap. It's just a
beautiful and challenging course. We put this event on every year as a
celebration of life and as a way of bringing together friends and family
who love this sport and have a passion for the water. We always have
great food, lots of prizes and a super fun event. We hope you find the
time to experience a little aloha in Minnesota this summer.
Here is a song I post often, but still really enjoy. He is a Christian musician, his lyrics are very poetic.
Josh Garrels-"Don't Wait For Me"
Please dont wait for me
I lost my way again
I lost my job, I walked away
From the life that I was leading with my friends
When I was young I dreamed
Of a life that had freedom that had joy
Oh life it crushed my soul
With its cruel demands and fools gold
Please dont wait for me
I lost my way again
I lost my house and my good name
When I found the road of my king
When I was young I dreamed
Of a life that had beauty that had joy
But now I lost my life
For the one I dreamt of as a boy
Please don't wait for me
I ain't coming back again
I cannot turn around
From the place I'm going to where Ive been
The geese fertilized our lawn for free, but didn't seem too fond of my music. I don't think the plastic owl is fooling them...I wonder if I can return it. The goslings are fun to watch, and are growing fast, just like our three chickens. I tried to get a photo, but they are out in the woods scavenging ticks, and worms, after the rain last night.
These signs were all over open loose dirt plots abandoned by Haliburton. We the people get 12% of the royalties...I mean the federal government does. I feel sorry for haliburton having to pay the 2500 dollar fine for abandoning loose soil with cancer causing agent that were blowing around like crazy on this dry dusty Wyoming day. I bet they draw millions of gallons from that well. Seems to me, they are stinking rich, and can't even clean up their own mess. But they do have the $2500 dollar fine: )
Looks like the north shore of Superior is the place to be, but I don't see a leer jet in my future as a freelance writer/teacher. I need a red bull sponsorship: )
