A Year in Photos

Today I thought that I would post a few photos, from different times of the year, in 2017. I get asked quite a few questions about my photos and tell everyone the same thing - "If you take enough, some are bound to look pretty good."

North Platte River below the Castle during the Silt Run in July

 I snapped a bit more than 12,000 photos last year, in six different states, down from 11 states the year before. 

Long Canyon

Skyline

   But, Nothing beats Guernsey State Park. We spent a lot of time in the park, hiking when we can, and at other times merely enjoying a drive. But, at no time do I visit the park without one of my cameras. This year, so far, I took photos in the park a total of 125 days.
   We also made more than a dozen trips into the Laramie Range to take photos, and five trips to Fort Laramie. Love Wyoming, it can at times, make an old picture taker like me look good.
  Enjoy!

Main Boat Dock

Parking Lot Near Main Boat Dock

Fish Canyon area

Newell Bay Trail

Brimmer Point Trail

Newell Bay

Red Cliff Trail

Along Skyline Drive

Fish Canyon

Museum Drive

Below Dam

From Long Canyon

Guernsey State Park - A Full Lake View

The Bay at Black Canyon Cove

We have been spending some time walking and driving in the park the past few evenings. It has been warm and the lake looks great.

Looking toward Brimmer Point on top of Powell Mountain

I thought it might be fun to post a few water photos I took this week.

Evening in the park can be quite calming

The trees, grass, and wildflowers are quite healthy this year.

Why we hike - It's all about the view

From Mae West Hill

The Lake from Lower Spotted Tail

Rock and Water

End of another day - looking toward Sandy Beach

From the Castle in the Park

With the warm weather, it is nice to be out and about in the park again. Nothing is better than a quick drive up to the North Bluff to visit the Castle. 

All the photos today are from the Castle and Skyline Drive, the road up to the North Bluff.
I never tire of the view from the Castle where it has proudly sat on the North Bluff overlook for more than 80 years. 

Davis Bay and Davis Bay Switchback Trail

A few days ago we hiked the Davis Bay and Davis Bay Switchback Trails. Once again built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. These trails are compliments of CCC - Camp 10, that once thrived at the base of Mae West Hill.

We hiked this one a week ago in 40 or so degree weather - not bad

We parked near the Brimmer Pont foot bridge walked the trail to Davis Bay then circled back west went up the switchback trail and walked back down the road to our ride.

Half way point at Davis Bay

This trail gets some use but not nearly enough.

Good looking trail

Sweet

Passing through massive rock

Fantastic views throughout, plus we burned a few calories.

Heading up into the switchbacks

For a couple of senior citizens like us, it takes more than an hour, about an hour and a half for us.  But, we do sit from time to time for rest and to take in the views.

My wife taking the same pretend rest I did - we did take some real ones

Nice View

Spring Crocus along the trail

In other news, the park is going to have a new look as people come in with a welcome/visitor center.

Just moved in and set - This will be a nice addition

Starting the New Year Off Right

What a great way to start the year, a hike in the park. We had a terrific time, all 58 of us, on our First Day Hike in the park.

Grandkids Were A Bit, Okay, A Long Way, Ahead of Us

I hope this will spur on others to take advantage of the great walking/hiking trails in the park.

We walk in the park as much as possible, and when conditions don’t allow us to be outside, we stay in the pickup and drive through our favorite areas of Guernsey State Park.

Solar Eclipse - Looks like Guernsey along with four other parks are gearing up for the big solar eclipse in August. So far I am undecided as to whether I want to be part of it in the park or simply go on vacation that week and come home when it's all over. Such is the life of a senior citizen.  

New Sign at Park Entrance

New Year’s Resolutions - It’s 2017 day number 2, how are those New Year’s Resolutions going? Still time to write down one more – spent more time in the park.

Happy New Year 2017

Mule Deer at Sunset

Work and Wildlife in the Park

How About This Weather

It has been incredible and great for hiking and spending time in the park. We hiked Red Cliff Trail yesterday so that I could snap a few photos of the work being done.

Looks like they have everything bundled up to work inside through the winter.

Been Away for Too Long

  It has been almost three weeks since my last post on this site.  We took a great trip south and now I am suffering from some arthritic pain/swelling that is making it difficult to type.  Hopefully, I will be back to normal in a week or so, by the way, not playing any golf is starting to get worrisome also.  Guess it is all just a part of being nearly 70, but that doesn’t make it better. This post I am doing a bit of typing and a little hunt and peck with my good, left hand.

Spent a few hours at "Old Town," in Dodge City, Kansas while on vacation - wonderful museum

Wildlife Watching

Maybe the lack of traffic is the reason that there seems to be more wildlife out and about than usual.

We drove into the park from Hartville and followed Lakeshore Drive to the parking area for the main boat ramp. Counting the wildlife each way, we saw more than a dozen Mule Deer, does and fawns, several nice bucks, one bunch of 29 Turkeys and another flock of eight, and a Bobcat.

This was the first Bobcat we have seen in the park although we have often found signs.

What a Nice Day

Since I will be in Casper for meetings the next few days and inside all day long, looks like a hike in the park this afternoon. The day is turning out beautiful – perfect outdoor weather.

The Super Moon last night was very nice

Get out and enjoy your local parks and walking/hiking areas, the calendar says winter is still on the way.