Getting Clean in Denver

Max at the World Famous Spud Drive-In, Driggs, Idaho
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11-1 With the sky now clear in Driggs, Max and I traveled south a mile to the world famous Spud Drive-In where Max caught up on news with some old spud buddies. We stopped on the pass to play in the snow then headed into Jackson, Wyoming. Passing through town we drove to Grand Teton National Park, scouted locations then found a place a little off road to bunk down for the night. At 1 am an officer of the law rousted us out of bed. With me in longjohns, down booties, floppy mittens and knit cap the officer asked me about guns, meth and outstanding warrants. As he ran my license I had time to reflect that a warrant would a least get me a warm cell for the night. He soon figured out I was what I am and cautioned me to lock doors against bad guys.

Max with Little Spud Buddies, Driggs, Idaho
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11-2 Up at 4 am and on-sight doing computer work until first light. Grand Tetons front and center with 5 moose browsing brush below is a good morning. Acting on a tip, we then saw more moose, bison and pronghorns, all in the same 2 square miles.

Two-Headed Calf, No Way!

I met a photographer, Lem Umhoefer from Florida, on his 8th and last day of intense animal photography. After good conversation he gave me a bag of left-over photographer food containing energy bars, beef jerky and almonds in a can. It struck me the similarities between old time trappers and modern nature photographers. Up before dawn,hunting places and animals with cameras instead of traps and guns, eating stuff a trapper would recognize except for the packaging, out on your own or with another photographer because a normal person doesn't share or understand the passion and so won't choose to undergo the "environmental conditioning" needed to become a good photographer of nature. It is very easy to think of trappers when you're looking at the Tetons. Max and I loaded up and drove to the new park visitor center ( a beautiful don't miss) and

Max about to drop into Jackson Hole, Wyoming
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its' restroom for a clean-up and change into gallery hunting clothes. Back towards Jackson we stopped at the National Museum of Nature Art? (that might be the wrong name) Pics of Max then back in the truck with him. Unusually grouchy today. I know the aplet/cotlet supply is low and he might have a bit of the monkey on his back. The museum was put together in a totally unexpected manner that was entertaining, educational and blow-your-socks-off-good with nature paintings ranging from classical 1500's biblical scenes of nature to Andy Warhol and Georgia O'Keefe. I just didn't realize the power of these pieces until standing in front of them and being able to contrast and compare with others hanging in a comprehensive show. A quick stop to watch and photograph trumpeter swans then into Jackson to the galleries. Enough to say that approaching galleries with your work is not for weenies. Saw a Ansel Adams photo on sale for $100,000 and worth every penny. Another stop at the Jackson Visitor Center, worth a look because of the regional interest books for sale and the deck overlooking a marsh and various bird life. Taco Bell for supper because it is easy and it is still too cold to cook then south to the Utah border, playing deer roulette until observing two Car/deer 'interactions' and deciding to pull over and sleep until it was light enough to see the little buggers. Good night Max Power.

Max plays in Wyoming snow
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11-3 Up at 6am somewhere in Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. 19 degrees so apples and gorp for breakfast again. We visited the Red Canyon Overlook where small tragedy struck. Balancing gear and Max, I tripped and dropped Max, breaking off his base with the world. I promised him when we got into willow country again I would carve a prosthesis which will transform him into Max-on-a-Stick. He's cool with that. The truck, which now and henceforth will be known as Farther Yes Indeed or FYI (with a nod to Ken Kesey's fabulous bus), is squealing like a small unit of the porcine variety this morning and, after consultation with Max, I aim FYI 350 miles east and south to Denver and hot showers soft bed clean clothes conversations with nephews tequila and music with Kevin and amazed incredulity with sister Klea. Arrive at the house at 7:30 pm, get all clean, then hear about the night's event where my sister won two major interior design awards in the Greater Denver metro area. Slept hard and late.

Self- Explanatory 1
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Good night Eustace.

11-4  Woke up to Daylight Savings and 70 degree breezes. Don't quite know what to make of either one. Updating this contribution to the millions of web words at Starbucks in Broomfield, CO, home to my sister's family and a yard sale two- headed calf (stuffed). She gave me a small crocodile head for my travels and I lusted after the WWII steel air warden's helmet my brother-in-law got at THE VERY SAME YARD SALE. I weep at the lost opportunity and go now to drown my  sorrow in cheap, copious beers. Max says he'll drive. Tomorrow brings a new day and a date with a mechanic to fix FYI's ills/woes. Lots of pics this time so don't miss. Good night Rounder