Rotary District Conference

Our Rotary festivities began yesterday afternoon. We did  not arrive in time for lunch, so we missed Kurt Bowen's Semilla Nueva presentation. We'd heard him several times before, so no big deal. The afternoon was spend in a variety of "roundtables". I sat in one about Social Media (still don't get it) then in the second session I talked to people about ClubRunner. After cocktail hour, we had a fine dinner and then a presentation by journalist Penny LaGate (awsome!) The Paul Harris Look-Alike Contest winner was announced too - Gene Day. Altogether that little games raised $5500 for PolioPlus.

Saturday morning began with a memorial service out on the lawn, conducted by Rev. Biggs, remembering some 8 Rotarians who had passed away this year. The morning session included a Skype session with Tara Lusk, our Ambassadorial Scholar in Israel, introduction of the 30 or so in-bound and out-bound exchange students, and presentations from the RYLA and Interact kids. The future of our world is in good hands!

Our luncheon speaker was Gary Hollick, a newspaper publisher from Canada, who told his remarkable story of rising from teenage "bad boy" druggie to District Governor.

Our afternoon was spent driving around town looking at million dollar homes and a little shopping in town.

Our final dinner featured club awards (both Metro and Emmett were recognized), the raffle ticket drawing (we didn't win). Marianne gave her "farewell speech" and Rick Phillips gave is "inaugural address". Both well done. I think Rick will be a great DG! I was recognized for my efforts with the website, bulletin and PR Grant with my third Paul Harris Fellow!

All in all a fun Rotary day with 230 of my good friends!

Head for home tomorrow after breakfast.

Note: Yellowstone does not have access to wi-fi/internet. Its about time they joined the twenty first century! (Especially with all these Asian tourist, who are nothing if not connected). Anyway, without internet access it is not possible to post to one's blog. So I presume these latest entries will be made from the Sun Valley Lodge on Friday night!

WEDNESDAY - Spent all day in the park, mostly exploring the thermal features in the southern end - paint pots, Grand Prismatic Pool (always a favorite), then checked in at Old Faithful Inn, just to make sure our reservaton confirmed, then off to West Thumb, Fishing Bridge, Canyon and the views of the waterfalls. Back to the Inn by 6:00, in time for a showing of Old Faithful, then a wonderful dinner in the dining room: Bison bolognese and Chicken/Pheasant and Bison Sausage, topped of with Yellowstone Calderra chocolate cake (to die for).

Wildlife sightings today included many bison, a bear, and sand hill cranes, mostly in the Hayden valley area. Weather was great - sunny with temps in the high 40s to low 50s. Lots of snow in the higher elevations above 8000 feet.        

THURSDAY - started our day with a ranger-led tour of the OF Inn. Fascinating history! Then headed north to Mammoth Hot Springs and Lamar Valley and on to Tower Fall. We like Mammoth a lot! Great Ice cream, lots of bison and elk right in the village square, just 5 miles from Gardiner, MT, and the famous Roosevelt Arch; hike up to Benson Peak, long boardwalk hikes around the terraces, and on and on!  We took the boardwalk hike around the top of the hot springs, checked out Tower Fall; ....on the way home we hiked around Norris Geyser Basin. BTW, weather was great - partly cloudy temps in the 60s.

Wildlife sightings today included lots more bison (walking obliviously in the road), we counted 8 bison calves in the "herd" at Mammoth (they sure are cute!), sand hill cranes, prong horned antelopes, elk, mule deer, peregrine falcon in a nest, and a moose.

Back to the Inn for late dinner of Bisin Bolognese, Spinach Salad and Roasted Red Pepper/Gouda Soup. After dinner entertainment was a lady playing piano and cello in the main lobby with a night-cap!

We decided we should have a family gathering here for our 50th anniversary!!

Must leave really early in the morning to make it to Sun Valley by 1:00!

FRIDAY - We left Old Faithful at 7:10 and made it to Sun Valley by 1:30! That's 280 miles before lunch! Checked in to the Sun Valley Inn and registered for the Rotary Conference. Looking to meeting Rotary friends, etc.

Home to West Yellowstone

We left bright and early this morning on a quick trip to Yellowstone and then back to Sun Valley on Friday for the Rotary District Conference. (I don't know what I was thinking when we planned this trip - its 250 miles back to Sun Valley, via the way we came!)

After breakfast at the Boise Stage truck stop, we took Rt 20 through Fairfield, then Rt 33 to Rexburg -  a much preferred route than I84. The weather was great and, of course, there is no traffic. Picnic lunch stop at Craters of the Moon.

Arrived West Yellowstone at about 5:30, checked into the Gray Wolf Inn (stayed here before) and had a nice dinner at The Branch (noted for having a restored railroad passenger coach inside). After dinner, we drove into the park just a little ways looking for wildlife - we found a pair of Bald Eagles up in a tree across the river. They are spectacular!

Returned back to the hotel to watch Mariners baseball.