I'm Constantly Amazed

After living at Trinity for the last 3 years I am constantly amazed with how many people around Leavenworth don't know what Trinity is or where it is located. One of the things I enjoy most is getting out and seeing new places especially with all of the beautiful places to go around here and I have to admit I'm very spoiled living here and with what is in my backyard I don't need to go anywhere but I like to know where things and places are. There are those that I meet that have fond childhood memories of coming out here as a kid, then there are those hikers I meet from all over that are cruising the PCT either from Canada to Mexico or vice versa that have been coming by here for years. I feel truly blessed to live here and just exploring the places around here are enough to fill a lifetime of adventure. The disadvantage to living out here is finding people to go explore with, it does take some effort but is well worth it, so if you are up for an adventure and would like to explore places you have never seen before let me know.
To give a brief history of Trinity began back in the 1920's and was really developed by Royal Development Company of Canada and the original mine was actually started up at Spider Meadow but after not being able to access it in the winter decided to try to access Red Mountain from the Trinity townsite and they dug a 2 mile tunnel through Phelps ridge I've included some photos of what Trinity loked ike back then with over 400 people living and working here. They did produce copper, silver and gold but the compant went bankrupt and most of the workers ended up going over to Holden Mine to work. Mining was tried here until the 70's off and on but nothing to amount to much. It was purchased about 17 years ago and turned into a conservancy. I've had the opportunity to live here going on my 4th winter and everyone is different, I meet lots of people snowmobiling and hiking and then those that just can't read the NoTresspassing signs and try to get past us with out detection and that is where Peace comes in she is becoming a great watchdog and doesn't let anyone get by without getting caught. This is the one time it is much better to ask permission instead of asking forgiveness once people cross the gate I might not be as cordial to them. Anyone that has ever had enough respect to not cross the gate but stay there until invited in have often been given tours of the powerhouse or shown around especially if they have been here long ago and have memories of coming here as kids I do my best to accommodate them and it is how I have made many of my friends out here, most are from the west side of the mountain and I hear from the often. It's funny to me but I see a summer camping group and the winter snow junkies that can't wait to see the fluffy white stuff falling, and hear the whining of snowmobile engines. Do yourself a favor and if you haven't ever been out this direction take the effort you'll be glad you did, the road out here is a rough road but the beauty all around more than makes up for it. Living in Washington offers every kind of outdoor activity you can imagine and being surrounded by mountains and rivers & creeks all around me is what makes this place Paradise to me. Get out and see all of the beauty around this wonderful state we call home and keep your eyes open, you will be surprised at the things you've been missing, especially taking time to enjoy it. What I usually see are people from the city out here and driving so fast and crazy like they are still in traffic in the city, take your time and enjoy it, life it too short to be rushed through, you might miss what you have been looking for.
We found our Paradise, hope you find your's too.

The Jury is still out

This past year I purchased from Mattrack's their M3 tracks for my Polaris Ranger after totally destroying the set of Polaris tracks I purchased when I bought my Ranger. Mattrack's makes 2 different sets of tracks which have a 1" lug and the M3's which are longer, wider, and have 1 7/8" lugs and I thought they would be better for living out here. When I was first looking at them one of the concerns I had was the longer lugs and how they would fare on dirt during the melt out time and I was told that they could handle any type of terrain as long as it was done under 40mph and I figured that would be great because with the tracks on my Ranger will only do 5-7mph because of the torque I have to run in low gear. When I was talking to the sales rep I was told that 60% of the M3 tracks would never see snow and I thought that meant that they were very tough tracks so I ordered them thinking they would be just what I needed to get around out here. I installed them just before going to Texas at the beginning of Nov and drove the ranger up to the dam on the tracks up a dirt road 3 miles. They weren't used again until I returned from Texas when we had 4+' of fluffy snow and drove it back to Trinity. I used them around here for about 2 weeks while we were getting snow days of 1' or more every couple of days and then the day before Thanksgiving we drove the Ranger out to Fish Lake which took us almost 6 hours to go 21 miles, very deep snow that hadn't been groomed so it was difficult to get through but we did until destroying the transmission in the deep snow Thanksgiving day. While I had my Ranger jacked up and was trying to see what was damaged I inspected the tracks and noticed that many of the middle tabs were torn or completely torn off, not only that but I also noticed that some of the big lugs were torn at the base of the lug where it attaches to the track, this really concerned me because if this happened with snow what would happen during the melt out. It took me until Feb to get it back from the shop so for 2 months it wasn't even used but after that I used it some but not all the time especially if I needed to make a quick trip I relied on my snowmobile. By the end of the snow season in June many of the lugs were torn and most of the smaller tabs in the middle of the track were totally torn off making them not as effective as they should be. I was late in getting the information back to Mattrack's but once I sent photos of the damage it was addressed very quickly, and just under the wire for the 1yr warranty so I received the paperwork I needed to fill out and sign and got it back to Mattrack's now I'm waiting to see what will be done to correct this problem. It is getting close to that time of year when they will be needed again for another 6 months of snow. I do like the tracks but definitely need to have more power than what the Ranger can do with the way the motor & transmission are set up . I have some thoughts of how to maybe fix that but it is still in the thinking stage right now. I'll let you know what I find out and how this is handled by Mattrack's.
We found our Paradise, hope you find yours too.

My Favorite Time of Year

I have to admit that this is the beginning of my favorite time here at Trinity, summer is officially over because the Labor Day weekend just past, schools are starting back, hunters are getting ready for the archery & high hunt, and the PUD & NCRS are coming out to do their SnoTel Maint which means that they stage here at Trinity and I get to go flying for the 4th year. It is definitely great getting to catch a ride and see everything around here from the helicopter at 5000-8500' up it gives a whole different perspective of the beauty all around here. I'm hoping to get as much flight time as possible this year and for sure to get to see Lyman Glacier or what is left of it this year and compare it to what I've seen the last 3 years and what it looked like back in 1985 when David Morris and friends hiked from Plummer to Lyman Glacier and Spider Meadow, it could be quite dramatic. Not sure how many people will be here this year just depends on how much work needs to be done while they are here. I knew it had to be getting close to that time of year because of all the horse & mule teams that have been making the trip up to the high country getting ready for deer season and some early bear hunters, I knew it meant that there would soon be the sound of helicopters and people moving around here in a flurry of work to get the SnoTel stations ready for this years snow, since we only have about 1.5-2 months before winter/snow starts showing up here and goes from green to white. It will be nice to see crew members I've known for the last 4 years and some of the new volunteers that have come to help them out, having them here means the snow isn't far behind and once that happens everything here changes. The one thing I'm not sure of yet is who the pilot will be but for the last 3 years it has been a pilot named Doug even though he's been here with 2 different helicopter companies last year was Northwest Helicopters and I assume that is who will be here again this year, he is a wonderful and very good pilot who I have every confidence in, safety is his first concern, without a safety meeting you won't fly in his copter. It is the opportunity of a lifetime and I get to do it each year, and every year gets better. Once they are gone I'll put up new photos of this years activities and what I see from the air.
We found our Paradise, hope you find yours too.

Labor Day is almost gone

That means that there won't be that many people out in the campsites now since school is starting back up and summer is over so maybe things here will get back to normal sorta. Bow season & the high hunt will be starting soon which means there will be more hunters here but that usually goes pretty smooth. This has been a very busy time out here this year lots of folks getting out in nature but still acting as if they were in the city especially the way they drive, these aren't the type of roads to go 60 mph on but they try leaving large clouds of dust staying around. It should be rather quiet now until it snows and then the snowmobilers will start up tearing up the snow. It would be nice if they would take their trash when they leave. I am always amazed as we walk everyday to see what has been left by hikers and campers, they brought it with them but they want to leave it here when they leave and that is sad. This is such a beautiful part of the state and I am amazed how little some of the visitors here care about all the beauty all around them. All I can do is try to educate and pick up after them because it does get to me to se the stuff left on the ground and in campsites, this is my home and I like it to be nice. We found our Paradise, hope you find yours too.
We found our Paradise, hope you find yours too.

Trinity Mine circa 1937

This is what Trinity looked like in 1937 when the mine was in full swing with over 400 people working here. For those of you that have been here in the past 25 years or so wouldn't recognize the beautiful place we call home, compared to what it looked like then. Thanks to David Morris Napeequa Winery winemaker and history sleuth. More to come soon. We found our Paradise, hope you find yours too.

Lyman Glacier (fastest melting glacier in U S

I was visiting with some friends the other day when they were here and we were discussing Lyman Glacier and what is still there and what isn't anymore. I have put pictures up that I have taken over the last couple of years but I was given some pictures of Lyman Glacier back in the 80's from a hike David Morris of Napeequa Winery took, thanks for sharing them David. I will put a few comparisons up here and the rest will be on the web album for those that might be interested. From what I have read and understand is that Lyman Glacier is the fastest melting glacier in the northern hemisphere and being in my backyard concerns me. I hear comments that there is no global warming but if that is the case then why the drastic changes in this wonderful glacier, I'd be interested in your thoughts. I also am looking forward to seeing what it looks like this year when the PUD & NCRS are here to do the snotel maint. this year, it could be gone.

New Visitors to Trinity

Well you can definitely tell that summer is coming to a close because the campsites are staying full even during the week. For the first time this summer I saw a very large RV that made it to the Phelps Creek campground only a mile from Trinity which means it traveled over some very rough road to get there, but it made it. Yesterday I had visitors up from Plain and as I was giving them the tour of Trinity all I heard was ooooh's & aaaaah's not so much for the buildings they were seeing but all of the great places to back country ski. They were surprised to see the dam and bowling alley and just how magical this place truly is. One of the visitors was David Morris the wine maker from Napeequa Winery, he even brought up some of his wines to share with friends that come to Trinity, it's a wonderful gesture, I just don't know anything about wine, so now I'm going to have to get educated about what to serve and when, everything needed to make the experience great for everyone. Fortunately David said he would be happy to help me out with that. David Wiley and Evan also came out with him. I enjoyed the company and believe they enjoyed being here as much as I did showing it to them. Being so close to the county border with Snohomish/ Chelan counties we figured that we would be the furtherest north place that you might get to taste great local wine from Napeequa Winery and it is also the closest it has been to the valley the winery is named for. These pictures I got from David Morris are early pictures of Trinity in the 20's, Thanks David.
We found our Paradise, hope you find yours too.

More Excitement @ Trinity

This weekend wa a fun time until last night when the plant dropped which is not that uncommon but when I went to restart it was when the excitement bagan. When bringing it back online the generator began sparking and the voltage fluctuated so I shut it down not needing power to sleep. This mornig when I went to being it back up not only were there sparks but everything came on fast and then relays were popping everywhere so I shut it down fast. It's just one of those things that happens living in Paradise, Life is Good. We found our Paradise, hope you find yours too.

A Busy Weekend

This week has been a busy week out at the trailhead lots of horses and hunters during the week and lots of hikers this weekend. The owners came up and went hiking up Alpine Creek up to the top of Buck Mtn and found lots of snow just past where we can see from Trinity. I was supposed to go to the west side but found out that Peace wasn't going to be allowed where I was planning to go so we just stayed close and had fun here. Friday morning Eric & Michelle along with Jean & her son Will came out for a visit and tour of Trinity got to see all of the sights and we had a great visit, that evening we went to their camp at Schaffer Creek and had a wonderful dinner and Peace and Romeo played very hard while we were there. Saturday we just stayed around here until the afternoon when the owners got back from their hike and then we headed to Plain for the Plain Hardware Moonlight Music Fest, it was lots of fun and there was a great turnout of people, the music was great everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. It was nice to get to see old friends there and meeting new ones. Even got to meet Bob & Kathryn who ended up last Thanksgiving spending time with Kaia & Shaba because they had gone out and ended up at their house, they shared some of their experience with them. It's nice to hear that people remember them with good thoughts forgetting they are wolves just that they are one of God's creatures. I even got some old pictures of Trinity back in the beginning of the mine and that was wonderful to see, thanks to Dave Morris by way of Byron Dickinson. They kept me up late looking at them. Everyday I am more and more grateful for being able to live in such a beautiful area, where Life is Great, can't see being anywhere else.
We found our Paradise, hope you find your's too.

CLF back in action

Last night at Munchen Hause in Leavenworth Chumstick Liberation Front performed before a packed Beer Garden, many friends and locals were there but also many out of towners some from as far away as Kenya. The evening started out a little slow for dancers to get out on the dance floor and it was the kids that were there that started dancing and enjoying the music first. There were many little ones with their parents enjoying the music and crowd. Peace met many new friends, the kids loved her and she likes the attention, plus there were many other furry friends for her to meet and play with. Even though there have been new members of the band added this year the music is full of messages and great dancing music with Steven belting out the lyrics with Nat making those harps wail. Even though the show started earlier than normally expected for a Sat night it was lots of fun, seeing friends, and making new acquaintances and watching the joy that people experience just by seeing and petting Peace, she does live up to her name and she is such a blessing for me. The laughter and joy being had by all last night is what everyday should be like and living here that is exactly what it is like.
We found our Paradise, hope you find yours too. Namaste'

Chumstick Allstar's Softball Team

One of the things Peace &I have been doing this summer is going to support the Chumstick Allstar's which is made up of people living on the Chumstick and being friends and closest neighbors We've been going to watch and support them as much as possible. This past Wed thru Sat was the Leavenworth Tournament and we made the Wed and Fri games and took the camera along this time taking some pictures of the team and fans. We didn't make it to Saturdays games so not sure what the outcome was but do know it was much fun going and watching them play, now it's time to find something else to fill the time, and so enjoy going to Gibbs Farm, another magical place, Peace enjoys getting to be a farm dog on occasion. Here are a few pictures from the Friday game you can check out the web album for more picts. The pictures are of Napeequa Gibbs, Chris Rader, Uncle Ivan & Napeequa, then Peace posing.
We found our Paradise, hope you find your too.

Help from Mushers

This past weekend we had about 30 mushers come out for the weekend and they were great. This winters storms caused the Chiwawa River to cut a new channel that came right through Trinity's back pond, and eroded one of the bulkheads and flooded part of the Buck Creek Tr. We had put out a few sandbags, but with the ever changing river flow they were sent downstream and the hole got bigger.
Well we had about 12 people that got their feet and legs very cold that Friday morning started filling sandbags and hauling rocks up & down the pond in our small boat, in about 2.5-3 hours they had closed it off building a nice rock/sandbag wall. I am very grateful because what they did in three hours I couldn't have done in 2 summers, especially in the water and silt they were working in. I want to thank: Bill, Carol, Laura, Mark, Allan, Diane, Brian, Dan, Jared, Jake,& Alex for the wonderful job you did. I couldn't find my list so if I left anyone out please let me know my memory sometimes doesn't remember everyone that helped with this. This was the largest group that has been here since I've been at Trinity, loads of fun. We had many more show up Friday night & Sat morning, we were treated to a slide show and video from Margaret & Don who had done the Serum Run in Alaska this past winter, we had about 25 mph winds that evening and everyone was bundled up watching the Alaska pics where at times it was -55 during their run. I apologize to everyone that was here but I have misplaced the tablet where the names were, I believe it will show up. I found it,so now it's all good, now I can remember all of the places I want to visit this summer. I'll put other pictures up in the online album which is linked to the blog. Thanks again for all of the help. I forgot to mention that Peace was a good hostess to the 10 or so dogs that also visited this weekend, not counting the dog teams that stayed at their kennels, she kept up with all of them and there were no problems at all they all got along great it wa a pleasure to watch them interact also. We have more sandbags on the way.
I found my Paradise, hope you find yours too. Namaste'

Trinity in June

The cottonwood trees are exploding here and there is so much cotton flying that it looks like snow. The deer are liking the corn and salt lick and there is a constant parade all day except the hottest part of the day. The creeks and river are getting back to normal what ever that is they are wild and subject according to what falls or what blows out, one thing for sure they are doing what they are supposed to. There are still snow fields above 6000' even in the meadows. As the snow recedes at the bridge going to the dam more and more destruction becomes apparent from the avalanche that happened. There is much to be cleared up yet, it is beautiful when you see that it all happens to keep things in balance. Watching and listening to the creeks & rivers there is such power and rhythm, so blue and clear, refreshing on a hot day. Everyday I have a greater appreciation for the beauty surrounding me.
The birds are singing their different songs yet it sounds like a choir to me brings me joy to hear them, the doe are having their fawns but it depends on where in the forest you are not many have been born around Trinity yet but have across many on the road in & out of Trinity. This is the time of birth and new things flowers popping up everywhere never trying to be anything but what they are supposed to be, we can learn from them to be ourself and to fulfill the purpose we are here for, not trying to be something we aren't. As I walk through the forest with Peace at my side frolicking and playing with anything she can find I'm reminded to enjoy the moment , see the beauty, peace and harmony that surround me, it is intoxicating and such a wonderful feeling, and when I share it with others it connects us because we are really all connected, and life is as it should be. As I walk through areas that were damaged severely during the storms I realize that it was necessary to maintain the natural order of things, and because of it, we can see the beauty if our hearts are open and tuned in to the spirit that IS.
I found my Paradise, hope you find yours too.

Getting back to Normal for Summer

Well you can tell it is summer, the fawns are hitting the ground, many of the early blooms are turning to seed, the rivers and creeks are coming down in flow and the water is beautiful. Buck Creek Trail continues to be under water at Trinity and we have talked to the Forest Service they are aware of the problem and said they would fix it but so far nothing has happened, you will get your feet wet on the trail, the road has been fixed and cleared of trees there are some places that is still very rough but passable. The other night while coming home I saw the allusive bull moose that lives out in the forest here , I followed him for over 1.5 miles before he finally decided to get off of the road it was a beautiful sight. It's getting warmer and much drier which here means more dust, so it would be nice if it rains today as has been forecast we could use it. Everything is green and beautiful, it has been very windy for most of the month which has been nice keeping it cooler than it would be without it. There are many hikers and campers taking advantage of all of the beauty out here.
I'd like to say congratulations to Rob and family at Plain hardware for 10 years, buy local. They had a great celebration with music food and fun yesterday evening with a wonderful turnout, may you have many more.
I found Paradise, hope you find yours too.

Keeping it Simple

These last few weeks have been difficult and I've been using the time to reflect and seeking spiritual peace and how I got away from it. It's easy when you stop doing the things that work in your life. For the last 6.5 years I've searched out what it is to be happy and it all starts with a decision to be happy which includes love, peace, kindness, patience & honesty. We learn lessons from our experiences and if we don't learn from them then we will repeat them until we do, it's really our choice. The problem is that most people seem to like staying in the past and others like the future, both of which aren't NOW and that is really all we have because we can't change the things from the past and the future hasn't arrived, what we can do is make our today the very best we can.
I believe that everyday I learn is another day of life, when I stop learning then that will be the end of this experience. I was raised in church and had many questions even as a kid that were never answered in a satisfactory manner, usually only causing more confusion, as things just didn't add up. For the last few years I started reading and for the first time hearing answers and explanations that made sense for the first time, things that witnessed to my spirit. When I moved to Trinity and being surrounded by majestic mountains, the rivers and creeks, the wildlife, I found Paradise and realized the beauty that is the Universal Spirit.
For the last 3+ years I've changed the way I look at life and realized that living in the past was not where I wanted to be. I've taken the lessons I've learned from it but to continue to talk about of live out the past brings spiritual death to each of us, we have today and making the best out of it is all we can do to spiritually alive. It all starts with a choice to be happy and to see what the day has to offer, what chance I will have to give to someone else. One thing is for sure we can not give what we don't have, we can't share love or peace if we don't have it in us first. I first have to love myself to love others, and if it works don't fix it but if something you try doesn't work you must change something in order to get different results.
These past 5 days with Peace being at Trinity has been a great lesson in living in the NOW. She discovered snow on our first outing to the dam on Monday morning, since then when we are out walking she has to go through every patch of snow she sees, slipping, sliding and biting the snow. She finds pleasure in everything she sees, constantly running to keep up, finding sticks and weeds swaying in the wind each a treasure for her but as fast as she picked it up she finds something new, constantly changing according to where she is. That is what I want to do, to enjoy every moment and to be in awe of the things I see and experience. For a period of time I quit doing the things that worked in my life to try to make someone else happy but we can't make anyone else happy, I've made a choice to be happy here at Trinity it's where I feel very connected to Spirit, magic happens here, but it isn't for everyone, it is hard if you think it is but for me it's ideal. The biggest thing I'm learning from watching Peace is that she doesn't take ownership of the things she picks up, instead just enjoys it for the moment, I believe it is what I am going to do, not worry about the what if's or the could have beens, just stay in today taking moment by moment giving thanks for every moment. Getting back on track, happy, grateful, loving and caring and living in Paradise. Life is Good , to be enjoyed, not watched as it passes you by.
I found my Paradise, hope you find your too.

Creeks & Rivers Raging

The Chiwawa River and Phelps Creek are raging right now and at the dam it is running everywhere, you can barely see the dam under all of the water right now. It is finally starting to clear up a bit after being muddy and full of debris from this past fall season. After finally getting to the dam for the first time since Nov which was not an easy task due to all of the trees on the road and the snow slide remnants on the road to the dam, one area still has over 6' of snow on the road along with trees and rocks from a late season avalanche. We had to walk the last 1.25 mi because of everything on the road. The screens have been filling up with debris or trees coming down the creek have been blocking the water flow to the powerplant so we have been going up a couple of times a day since Mon just to clear things out and keep the water flowing. I was amazed to see how high the water in the creek was and Reid mentioned that it was the highest he has ever seen. The Chiwawa River has cut new channels to the east this year and part of the river is running right through the back pond which is flooding the Buck Creek Tr and it is under 5-6' of water right now. Not only is there lots of water everywhere but the road into Trinity is only open to Atkinson Flats, the 2nd snow gate is closed due to large numbers of trees being down and blocking the road in places and even part of the road is gone washed out with a creek running across where the road was before Nov. It looks like a war zone and the question is now does the Forest Service have the funds to make the needed repairs & to clear the trees and debris from the road alongwith repairing the washout, not looking too good at this point. Back to going to the dam Peace and I have made several trips to the dam since early Monday morning after the plant dumped Sun night from lack of water due to the screens being clogged with debris and silt, we cleared the screens twice Monday and once Tues, this is my busiest time of year just keeping them cleaned and the plant up, once the water clears up it will be easier then there is more water than we can handle. Peace is a trooper and keeps up getting plenty of exercise and then sleeping after we get back, she's a joy to have here but definitely keeps me on my toes. So if you are planning to get out in the woods be prepared for anything especially with the high water and trees down everywhere pack a saw and shovel and some extra rope you might just need to tie off to be safe. Even with all of this that has happened out here and the difficulty driving in and out, it's still Paradise to me.
I found my Paradise, hope you find yours too.

10th Annual Bike & Brews Fest @ Gibbs Farm

This past Saturday at Gibbs Farm was the 10th annual Bike & Brew Fest with Chumstick Liberation Front. It was hot for most of the day but once the beer garden opened the crowd started growing in anticipation of the beer that was flowing & music by Chumstick Liberation Front a local band that has recently gotten back together with some new members and new songs. It was great getting to see many people that I haven't seen in some time and meeting many new friends.Spending the morning with Ivan and some of his friends and visiting all the homes at the farm, lots of exercise. When the music first started it was still rather hot so there weren't too many people dancing but as the evening got cooler the dance crowd got bigger, lasting well past dark. It was Peace 2Toes first big event in her short 6 weeks but she was a trooper she's a quick learner finding that the shade is much cooler than in the sun to take a nap. Peace had many volunteers to watch her especially Chelsea & Travis, thanks alot I appreciated it and so did she. It was my first Bike & Brew Fest but it won't be my last. A big thank you to all the Gibbs Family, and all of those others involved in making this happen. A great way to start of the summer in Leavenworth. This is just the beginning.
I found my Paradise, hope you find yours too.

Introducing Peace 2Toes

I'd like to take this moment to introduce the newest member at Trinity, she's my new road dog, Peace 2Toes. I got her from Jessica a friend of mine this weekend, she has a great temperment and yes she will be big she's Chocolate Lab, Rott/Pitbull/St. Bernard. She got to play in snow yesterday and is willing to go wherever I am going. She'll be a great companion. This weekend she went to Blackbird Is, and the Bike & Brews Fest and this morning early we even went up to the dam because we lost water to the powerplant, not that there wasn't enough but the screens were plugged up with debris as the creek is up and very dirty because of the warm days we have had this past week. This evening we went back up to the dam and she wanted to walk not be carried even in he slide areas, it's a great way to get her to sleep through the night. More soon on the Bike & Brews Fest.
I found my Paradise, hope you find yours too.

What a Difference a Month makes

It's been a few weeks since I've written about what is happening out at Trinity and I apologize for that first off, there has been a lot happening.
The snow has been melting rapidly in most areas but there are still several miles of road that still have as much as 2-2.5' of snow covering it, there are trees and debris everywhere from the Nov rains and Dec wind storms that happened out here. I've been cutting and clearing trees for the last 3-4 weeks just to make it to my vehicle. The river has cut many new channels and as I've mentioned has been feeding the pond that our tail race feeds into causing it to overflow and and erode the bulkhead so now the trail to Buck Creek is under about 5-6' of water so any hikers planing to make it to Buck Mountain or Buck Creek trail should prepare to get wet. The hummingbirds arrived in early May 6th, and the deer showed up the following weekend. There is a constant building of the deer herd coming into the backyard to the salt lick as many as 20-30 at a time and it is almost always deer out there during the day. That is until I get out moving around but then they are only gone for a few minutes. Haven't seen the martens lately but know they are around. This weekend is Memorial Weekend and we know that the Forest Service is wanting to open the campgrounds for it but something people need to know is that there is quite a bit of damage from trees crossing the road and from water crossing the road several places , unless people have 4 wheel drive vehicles they may not be able to get to many campsites. It will be interesting needless to say. There are still places for me to snowmobile or use the Ranger to get around. I've thought about taking my tracks off but still have enough snow to keep them on for another week or 2. Here are a few pictures of what is happening around here, the snow is almost gone behind the house but get in the trees and it can still be 4' deep and maybe even more in some places making it much more difficult to get around. The river and Phelps creek and many of the little creeks are all flowing very well right now making it harder for places where you have to ford them take extra caution around the swift moving water right now.