Vol 2, # 124

   Monday, December 7, 1998

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EDITOR-IN-
CHIEF
Bruce Gourley

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (YNET) -- The early decades of the 20th century witnessed an ongoing battle over water rights in Yellowstone.  Both individuals and cities sought to tap into Yellowstone's vast water reserves.  The battle was long and hard, but to this day Yellowstone's watersheds remain protected and unhindered. 

In recent weeks, however, two unrelated events have brought Yellowstone's waterways back into the public light:  the discovery of whirling disease among Yellowstone Lake's Cutthroat trout, and a proposal by a non-profit whitewater advocacy group to open Yellowstone's rivers -- the Yellowstone, Gardner, Lewis and Lamar Rivers -- to whitewater recreation.

Whirling disease is a serious threat to Yellowstone's Cutthroat trout population, as it has in recent years decimated trout populations in portions of Montana's rivers.  Cutthroat trout in Yellowstone Lake are necessary for the healthy survival of Yellowstone' grizzlies, as they provide an integral part of the bears' diet during the spring and early summer seasons.  Park officials will be striving hard to deal with this threat in the coming months and years.

Whitewater rafting within Yellowstone also poses a threat to the Park, both in the damage that could be caused to the waterways themselves, as well as the disruptiveness it could cause among Yellowstone's wildlife.  It would also likely lessen many other Park visitors' experiences of the Yellowstone wilderness.  There are plenty of great places to whitewater raft in the Yellowstone region. 

Yellowstone is constantly under siege from many sides.  We affirm Park officials in their attempts to manage the Park in a way which goes beyond the interest of any one person or group of persons to preserve and protect Yellowstone for its own sake and the sake of all the American people and the entire world.

Click here to write to your congressperson.

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND COLUMNISTS

Ralph Maughan
Kim Steinbacher
Kevin Sanders
Steve Brashear
Clint Wilkes
Tim Gourley
Hon. Bob Gammage
Ruth Colter-Frick
Lee Whittlesey
Tom Mazzarisi
Russ Finley
David Monteith
Denise Elmer
Dr. Bob Bara

BILLINGS, Mont. (YNET) -- How did John Colter spend Christmas Day in 1803, 1804, and 1805? The Journals kept by the men of the expedition tell the story.

1803 Camp Dubois:

William Clark wrote that he was awakened by the discharge of firearms and that it was snowing. George Drouillard consented to join the expedition. The hunters killed several turkeys and John Shields bought cheese and butter. Three Indians visited the camp and several men were drunk.

William Clark wrote that he was awakened before day by a discharge of firearms and there was very much snow and the men danced and frolicked until 9:00 P.M.

Sgt. John Ordway added that the swivels were fired at daybreak and each man fired one round. The Indians did not come to visit because we explained that it was a "Great Medicine Day" and did not wish to be bothered. He wrote, "We enjoyed a Merry Christmas during the day and evening until nine o'clock---all in peace and quiet".

Sgt. Patrick Gass added that there were two discharges from the swivels and a round of small arms by the whole corps. Clark gave each man a glass of brandy, and after the American flag was raised for the first time at Fort Mandan, they celebrated with another glass. The men cleared one of the rooms and commenced dancing and at 10:00 they received another glass of brandy. A gun was fired at 1:00 as a signal for dinner and at half past two another gun was fired as a signal to assemble and the dancing continued in a jovial manner. Only three women, wives of the interpreters, who took no part other than the amusement of looking on.

Joseph Whitehouse wrote "we having two violins and plenty of musicians in our party" which explains the means of "dancing and frolicking". "The offficers named our fort, Fort Mandan".

1805 Fort Clatsop:

William Clark reported the weather as "showers of rain and some hail, and some starlight". He wrote that they were woke by a shout and a song by the men. That he received presents from Capt. Lewis and the men were given presents. George Drouillard had a snake cross in his path. Indians visited the fort. "A bad Christmas dinner. We would have this day the nativity of Christ in feasting, had we anything to raise of spirits or even gratify our appetites. Our dinner concisted of pore Elk, so much spoiled that we eat it thro' mear necessity, some spoiled pounded fish and a few roots".

John Ordway wrote that the officers were saluted by each man firing a gun at their quarters. The last two carrots of tobacco were divided among those that used it, and the others were presented with a silk handkerchief in remembrance of the day. There are no ardent spirits, but are all in good health which we esteem more than all the ardent spirits in the world. "We have nothing to eat except poore elk meat and no salt to season that with , but still keep in good spirits as we expect this to be the last winter that we will have to pass in this way."

Sgt. Patrick Gass reiterated "Another cloudy wet day." "We had no spiritous liquors to elevate our spirits this Christmas, but of this we had but little need, as we are all in very good health."

Joseph Whitehouse wrote "Hard rain and cloudy weather as usual." Moved into new garrison and officers named it "Fort Clatsop" for the Indians nearby. The huts are comfortable except for smoking a little. "We have at present nothing to eat but lean Elk meat and that without salt, but the whole of our party are content with this fare." "The Party are all thankful to the Supreme Being for his goodness towards us."

Let us all be thankful for our blessing this Christmas season, and reflect on the sacrifices made by John Colter and others for our country.

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YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (YNET) -- Meet our Guides at the North entrance to Yellowstone across from the Roosevelt Archway to begin a day of adventure!

Rafting down the Yellowstone River or riding a bike, our Guides will lead you on one of the most fun days of your vacation. If you are going rafting, wear your swimsuit and "jump in" as the raft floats through gentle parts of this magnificent river. Be prepared to end your day with a Wild West Cookout if you are in the park on Mondays or plan your bike or raft trip for our daily late afternoon excursion which includes a BBQ cookout alongside the banks of the river.

Bikes and raft trips are offered four times each day, and guided horseback tours are also available.

A note of warning on the Wild West Cookout: be advised that Sheriff Shawn has been informed that Black Hat Bart has escaped from the Wyoming State Jail.

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YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (YNET) -- Chicago Tribune travel writer Phil Marty tells of his winter experiences in Yellowstone in a recent Sunday article.  He shared his story with us and asked us to share it with our readers.

Marty writes in a very vivid style, and is able to make the reader feel he is actually standing in Yellowstone.  The following excerpt is from his story:

"It's 11 in the morning, and at the Yellowstone Institute facilities, in the Lamar Valley near the park's northeast corner, the temperature is 35 below zero. That's an improvement from the previous night when this site, also known as the Lamar Buffalo Ranch, recorded the season low for the park with an impressive 45 below. Not a wind chill of 45. This is the air temperature.

Under such conditions, the space heaters in the institute's small, well-kept sleeping cabins roared throughout the night, but barely kept the cold at bay as we hunkered down, fully clothed, in our sleeping bags. During the middle of the night, nature called, and as I stumbled to the pit toilets -- nearer than the flush variety in the large main building -- my heart skipped a beat as I heard the howl of wolves across the valley floor."

There is much more.  Click here to read the rest of Marty's article.

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