Bison in the Holding Pen Area

Here is another shot of the bison at the end of the roundup.
Just a reminder: click on the picture to enlarge.
Regards, Gus

Bison Roundup At Custer State Park

 Today I was able to attend the 47th Annual Bison Roundup at Custer State Park, near Rapid City, SD. The cowboys, on horses and in pickups, rounded up about 1,000 or more bison and drove them to the holding pens. Over the next few weeks, the bison herd will be thinned and some will be returned to the grazing lands of the state park.
I had a special treat, as my good friends Dutch and Di were also at the roundup. I had no idea they were in the area.
 Warmest regards, Gus

Travels from Oregon to Colorado

I can't believe I have not possted anything in about a month. When I left the Bend Distillery (Oregon) I traveled to Boise, ID, and stayed at a nice winery. Then I stayed in Provo, UT, before going to Montrose, CO. After one night at the Elks' Club in Montrose, I spent two weeks near Gunnison, CO. Jim & Pat's grandchildren (Chris & Danielle) came and stayed for 10 days and we had a great time. We took a trip on the Gunnison River, went horseback riding several times and did lots of swimming.
Then we all came back to Colorado Springs so Chris and Dani could start school.
I had hoped to post some pictures of the boat ride and horseback riding, but I can't seem to get the system to work today.
Warmest regards, Gus

Vodka Tasting at BENDISTILLERY

 Today I met Claire at BenDistillery in Bend, OR. Claire provided me with some great vodkas and one gin to savor. I really liked the Crater Lake Pepper Vodka, which is 80 proof and is made with five different hot peppers to provide a great flavor to use in making Bloody Marys. Check out their web site at www.bendistillery.com.
Tomorrow I will be leaving the area and heading toward Colorado.
Warmest regards, Gus

Navy & Marine Shore Party's Land Ship

 Today I visited Fort Stevens Historic Military Site near Hammond, OR. This site is at the mouth of the Columbia River. I was allowed to be an "honoray" powder monkey--one of the boys and girls aged 7-14 who assisted with the work aboard ship. Here I am with James (left) who is not old enough yet to help out!
Fort Stevens is the only mainland military installation "fired upon" by the Japanese during WWII. You can find lots of historical information by searching: Coastal Artillary Forts of the Pacific Northwest.
Warmest regards, Gus

Tsunami Route

 I am confused: the "One Way" sign says I have to go one direction and the "Tsunami Evacuation Route" sign says to go the other direction! I hope I don't have to take the tsunami route, but it is nice to know that there is a plan. I am almost a mile from the ocean, but the land is very flat between the campground and the ocean. I need to get to higher ground if there is an earthquake in the Pacific Ocean.
The weather has been nice here in Seaside the past three days--sunny, cool and dry.
Warmest regards, Gus

Astoria, OR

 This is the view I had from atop the Astoria Column when I climbed the 164 steps to the top on Sunday. The bridge beyond the town of Astoria is the Astoria-Megler bridge (over four miles long), which was built during the years 1962-1966, and is the longest continuous truss span in North America. This bridge across the Coumbia River allows easy access to Washington state. The next bridge across the Columbia is at Longview, WA.
Beyond the bridge is the infamous Columbia River Bar, considered the most dangerous river bar on the planet. Hundreds of ships have sunk in this stretch of water where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean.
Warmest regards, Gus