A Windy Drive In The Park

We still are out and about in the park most every day but seem to be spending more time in the pickup than on the trails. The wind, day after day, is too much for us to walk much.

Still, I have been able to get some interesting photos.

Golden Eagle High in a Tree on Sandy Beach

These Photos Were Shot With Great Back Light From the Setting Sun

We spend most of our time on the west side as it is easier to get to then the east, through Hartville. We do try, each week, to go through Hartville and drive Lakeshore Drive.  The road to the dam is still blocked at the main boat ramp parking lot as work continues on the big Stoney Gate. This means that it is a turn around here and a trip back along Lakeshore Drive to Hartville, which is never a bad deal.

End of the Drive - at Least for a Few More Weeks

Photo From October as We Hiked Red Cliff Trail

Looks like there is a lot of interest in the solar eclipse coming this August. Along with the big eclipse, there were be plenty of other activities to entice tourists to come early or stay late.

Not an Eclipse but Sunsets in the Park are Often Fabulous - That's Laramie Peak in Center of shot

With the state of Wyoming’s economy, more tourist numbers will be great and needed.  

Where's the Food? 16 Mule Deer Waiting for Picnic at Lakeshore Drive Camping Area

Fall In The Park

Looks Like We Found Bambi During Our Walk

Lots of activity in the park. No, not many visitors but the work on the dam gates looks to be in full force.

Don’t believe I have ever seen the bottom of the gate, pretty neat really.

Lakeshore Drive is closed at the park headquarters but can be accessed from the Hartville entrance, the road is open to the parking lot east of the main boat dock.

Road closure coming from Hartville on Lakeshore near the main boat dock. 

Skyline Drive on the west side is open as usual.

With the nice fall weather, we decided to resume our three or four times a week, hike in the park. We walked Red Cliff Trail this time parking in the area near the boat ramp and looped around the trail and back. Nice hike plus it allowed me a chance to take a few photos of the work.

Enjoy the wonders of fall and get out and enjoy the park.

Lakeshore Drive - Guernsey State Park

It seems like we have been out of town more than we have been in town the past few weeks. Last night we took a leisurely drive, yep, drive. We were too tired to walk a trail so decided instead to drive the lakes famous, Lakeshore Drive. 

Cruising Lakeshore Drive

A few weeks ago I had someone ask me why they would name a road in a Wyoming State Park after the very famous Lake Shore Drive that borders Lake Michigan in Chicago. Well, here is the scoop, or answer.

CCC Built Bridge Near Fish Canyon - One of two CCC Bridges on Lakeshore Drive

Tough to Beat Landscape Work by Mother Nature

Guernsey State Park’s Lakeshore (one word) Drive, is a decade older than Lake Shore (two words) Drive of Chicago fame. The winding, path, along Guernsey Lake’s east side was named Lakeshore on the first maps used to build the road by the CCC in the middle 1930s. It is a simple name as is Skyline Drive on the west side, but both are more than fitting. 

The Drive is Never Far From the Water

A Pair of Mergansers on the Water

There are other roads that border lakes for a bit, but it is hard to find one that hugs the lake like the Civilian Conservation Corps, built Lakeshore Drive. As a matter of fact, I cannot think of a single one.

A Look At Lakeshore Drive From the Castle

Lot's of Wildflowers in the Park

And a few more scenes from last night’s drive, and to think, I didn’t even get out of the pickup.  Hike tomorrow, I can feel it. 

Killdeer,  I Think

Love the Bluebirds in the Park

Memorial Day Weekend is coming soon, get out and enjoy one of Wyoming's Terrific State Parks. Oh and to end this post a spectacular Lakeshore Drive Sunset. Not last evening but there are many of these along Lakeshore Drive. 

Taken From the Narrows

Sitting Bull Shelter & Lakeshore Drive

It is possible the Civilian Conservation Corps built shelters in Guernsey State Park may be some of the most photographed picnic shelters in America. Sitting Bull shelter is the most elaborate of the east side picnic shelters, built with a   huge fireplace, stone benches and great views it is the highlight of Lakeshore Drive shelters. 

The Wonderful Sitting Bull Shelter

 Sitting Bull has long been one of the most popular day-use picnic areas in the park.  This description is from my book, The Civilian Conservation Corps & the Building of Guernsey State Park – With Folktales and Stories of the Park.

Picnic with the CCC

With picnic time at hand, this is a most peaceful place to spend an hour of two. It is a day use area (no camping) and weekdays there is not much competition to use the shelter. Weekends it would be a good idea to get there early, well before lunch time. I cannot think of a better place, anywhere, to roast a hot dog and a few marshmallows.

Now That's a Roasting Place

Once Again

One last comment and I have made it here, on this blog, before. It is Lakeshore Drive. The houses on the drive after leaving the park are addressed as Lake Side Drive or Road. Too bad, as this was most likely a mistake made, that has stuck. That means that Lakeshore Drive turns into Lake Side Drive after leaving the park and the lake. Oh well, that does make for an interesting story, even some of the state materials about the park list it as Lake Side. Google Maps also call it Lake Side, they should have called me first. (just kidding)

It's All About the View

All early CCC maps and documents list the east side road as Lakeshore, one word. I like it, like Chicago, we have our very own Lakeshore Drive, only ours, has mountains and animals, and a few great picnic, and camp sites. 

Oh, and What About the Sunsets? Looking South-West from the Shelter

Lakeshore Drive on a Snowy Day

Mule Deer in Today's Snow

What a day in the park. I was disappointed that my talk and walk in the park, for the local community education, was canceled, but with the inclement weather it was a very good decision.

Osprey Looking for Dinner in the Lake

Rain & Snow

We had snow much of the morning and early afternoon and a misty rain when the snow let up. In the past ten days, we have had 3.6 inches of moisture. Terrific for everything, hope it keeps on coming. Just so it lets up in a couple of weeks so I can start my garden, then starts again.

The North Spillway is Open and the Water is Running

The big question is? What to do on a snowy and wet spring day. How about a trip to Guernsey State Park? We didn’t spend much time outside my pickup but did enjoy a ride along Lakeshore Drive and back into Long Canyon.

The Obscured Mountain in the Background is Powell Mountain

Wildlife in the Park

At times, bad weather brings out the wildlife, and today was one of those days. We saw a large variety of birds, a few deer and lots of snow. All and all it was a very pleasant couple of hours in the park.

The Bluebirds Look Great Even in the Snow

If you have not been to the lake yet this spring, the water level is up, way up. Reminds me of the lake after the work on the dam in 2012-13. Overfull but looks great.

The Boat Ramp at Long Canyon is Under Water - Still Usable Though

No better way to relieve stress or in our case, home-boundness, (I may have made up that word, but I like it) self-imposed today.

Geese in Heavy Snow - but it Didn't Last Long

Frost in the Park

Nothing like a wonderful frosty morning in the park. I love summer when I can go out in shorts and a teeshirt, but winter does afford some views of nature that cannot be reproduced in areas without the four seasons we have here in Wyoming.

Below the dam the red cliffs are spectacular in the morning light

This morning's trip was along Lakeshore Drive on the east side of the lake. 

The view from Sitting Bull Shelter built by the CCC in the 1930s and still stunning

If the weatherman is correct I may have some deep snow photos coming this week.

Turkeys in the frosted grass

From the boat dock - Look close and you can see Laramie Peak

Frosted Sagebrush

Art on the ice

A Bit of Snow and Lakeshore Drive

Three or four inches of snow last night, guess it was time. Most is melted this evening which means we will be out for a hike in the park Thursday or Friday. 

Meanwhile, work continues along Lakeshore Drive as workers seal cracks and asphalt patch several areas.

It’s still a great time to visit the park, for us, 50-degree hoodie sweatshirt weather is a perfect hiking day.

The new wall on Lakeshore Drive is terrific - The men of the CCC would approve

Fall also brings some of the year’s best sunrises and sunsets. I have only heard of the sunrises, but I am witness to some great sunsets. 

Snow, Bluebirds and Lakeshore Drive

Very wet two days in Guernsey. My gauge had an inch and a half before the snow came. Not sure how much snow we got but had a foot on the rails of our backyard deck.

By early afternoon, the roads had melted enough to allow a drive along the east side of the park on Lakeshore Drive.

 Funny thing about that name, some modern maps list Lakeside Drive and the homes between Hartville and the east side entry to the lake have addresses of Lakeside Drive. When I was researching my book, available later this week, all notes from CCC times refer to the Drive as Lakeshore and some Lake Shore. Lakeside Drive must be a modern day mistake.

Bluebirds everywhere in Long Canyon today. What a great day for a drive, even if it was a bit wet.

Skyline Drive

We took several trips on Skyline Drive this past week. A few weeks ago I posted some photos from our drive on Lakeshore Drive and promised a trip along the west side soon.

Saw this great pair of nesting Peregrine Falcons on our way into the park

So today, here it is. Our trip also involved a nice hike on the Brimmer Point to Newell Bay trail, a great historic CCC trail. I will post some photos from it later this week.

Wild Flowers are starting in the park

Roads on the west side were built for the view

Nice Hen Turkey

Newell Bay from Brimmer Point Trail

Break time