The Slow Slide

A BRISK EVE

Cooler Tomorrow

bitter by wednesday

WALLPAPER:  MORNING BLAZE

-------

.. Some of the kids neighbors dashed off early this morning to explore a rumored gathering of winter sex maniacs.
.. The rumors were true and we've been given permission to let you in on the coming orgy.
.. There are a couple of large pods of submarines cruising the estuary where the Madison River debauches into Quake Lake. They seem to be waiting for some primal signal to enter the river to spawn.
.. The forecast for bitter cold is sliding in this week rather than bombing us with a brutal overnight surprise - as predicted.
.. Today was an unexpected bit of gentility and the neighbors took advantage of the warmish twenty degree, (dead still,) mid day warm up.

BLOND FEATHER DUSTER

.. A couple of dozen fish were taken with a couple of this winter's experiments. A color variant of the feather duster was very successful. It is the standard recipe but with very light feathers. It was fished in the slow current by the boat ramp - in the film - very slow jerk-it retrieve. A sloppy figure eight if you please.

CANDY CARROT SOFT HACKLE

.. The other winner was a very sparse and bright soft hackle. They are calling it the 'Candy Carrot' in honor of the season.
.. It too was drift fished in the slow current, (long cast out into the lake,) with a short leader, (4 feet,) and short tippet, (3 feet.) It must have been two or three feet below the surface when the exuberant takes were encountered.

EGG SUCKING MATUKA

.. Only one fish was taken in the river on the way to the open water.
.. It was a violent surface attack on a quickly stripped, sparsely tied, Egg Sucking Matuka.

-----

.. Our whole village is now covered in snow. No dark masses to help with heat absorption. This large white mass in the middle of the dark forest reflects the sun's rays and contributes to our persistent snow cover and coolness. We are pleased.

GETTING DEEPER

.. The sledheads and slednecks are happy with the snow but just a bit grumpy with the temperatures. We're looking to get some minus 20's, (or more,) during mid week.
.. Light scattered snow will punctuate the cold and, we may get another eight inches by this time next week. It's slowing down and it's not being helped by the wayward jet stream.
.. There's fireworks in town and on the lake this evening at midnight. We are going to pass this year and enjoy a traditional Italian celebration to ring in the new year.
.. Lenticchie e salsiccia dolce is the main bit of food. It's just lentils and sweet Italian sausage but the combination is a surprise on the palate.
.. Eat it hot or warm or cold. Follow it with some Chianti, some anise cookies, some chips and shrimp dip, and of course smoked salmon with cream cheese on focaccia bread.
-- Then start all over again with different cookies and some real hot chocolate.
.. It will prepare your constitution for some black eyed peas on New Year's Day.

-------

WALLPAPER:   LENTICCHIE E SALSICCIA  DOLCE

Sneak One In

SORT OF POSSIBLE

Forecast Possibilities

we know a soft place

USE A RED HOT CAST IRON SKILLET

-------

.. It looks like the temperatures are going to dive next week. This may be the last day with a bit of free time and non-bitter-cold for a week or so. We're off to try it.
.. There's a place or two where the wind is blocked. There's a place or two where the water is still flowing and fish are dense. There's a place or two where access is quick enough and easy enough for these old legs.

BURN IT TEXAS STYLE

.. Of course it needs a substantial breakfast to get us through to late lunch time.
.. The nice thing about a rib roast that is too big for a single sitting is that you can make steaks of the remainder. Just sear them up and they will be fork tender and perfectly cooked.
.. Steak and eggs with some tomato spuds should hold us. The winter nymphs have been tied to some leader material for us. The neighbors are kind that way. Loop to loop and off we go.

-------

WALLPAPER: THE PENGUIN

Long Range Planning

EVENT OF A LIFETIME

Accurate Path Mapped

visit thornton idaho

PATH OF TOTALITY (world map link)

-------

.. In just 8 months a celestial event will grace us with it's presence: a total solar eclipse. Absolute totality is a rare sight.
.. We get to see partial eclipses frequently enough. But a total eclipse in the neighborhood is a rarity. We've put it on our calendar.
.. On August 21, 2017, for two minutes and seventeen seconds the world around Thornton,  Idaho will not be able to see the sun.
.. The time for the start of totality at Thornton is 11:33:14AM (MDT). 
.. An absolute total eclipse is qualitatively so much different than a partial eclipse: even one that is nearly total.
.. Jackson, Wyoming and Teton Village, Wyoming will have the same length of totality starting at 11:35 AM.
.. For about an hour and fifteen minutes on either side of totality the event will be noticeable. At totality only the corona will be visible. In our village it will only be a partial eclipse. We will travel to see totality.
.. Speaking of eclipses: this will be a good year to be in our neighborhood. On February 10, 2017 there is a penumbral lunar event. 
.. If you are in the neighborhood plan to see not see it. We'll remind you again when it's time to stop your catching.
.. Time for the shoveling snow drill and then, a couple of eggs with the second pot of coffee.

-------

Traditional Obscenities

DINNER THEN,

Breakfast Then,

lunch

WALLPAPER:  HALOGEN CONVECTION OVEN

-------

SOMETHING EMERGED

.. The holidays are just too full of too much feasting and too many festivals. We shall endure!
.. Fishing postponed for another week. We'll suffer through the upcoming obscenities.

-------

STANDING RIB ROAST FOR DINNER

WAFFLES AND HOMEMADE STRAWBERRY PRESERVES

PUMPKIN SOUP + BUTTER, CREAM, SWEET PAPRIKA

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE & WHIPPED CREAM

Eventide Of The Crepuscular Elf

NORTH POLE HEAT

Elves Behind Schedule

check in with norad

WEST YELLOWSTONE WAS 59 DEGREES COLDER THAN THE POLE

-------

.. Be it Christmas, Chanukah,
Brumalia, Korochun, Shalako, or your own mid winter celebration; tonight is auspicious.
.. Our news hounds have gathered the best tidbits  of news from sources at the bank, Post Office, grocery store, hardware store, and a few dark corners in the only pub where there are more neighbors than visitors.
.. Ahem, the cold spot of the northern hemisphere is not in Siberia. It's not at the North Pole. It's not in Iceland, Greenland, Lapland, or Bangor, Maine. It's just a small trek north of the border with Canada. And, occasionally downtown West Yellowstone.That is auspicious.

CORPULENT AND CREPUSCULAR

.. Arctic sea ice is disappearing at a record rate. That is auspicious: even if you deny it.
.. Santa Claus must have some good antifreeze in his veins as he leaves the tropical North Pole for destinations in lower North America. That is auspicious even if you are a reindeer.
.. NORAD is working hard to justify it's Santa tracking facilities in the face of anticipated budget cuts after January 20, 2017. Probably auspicious.
.. They will soon be spending most of their time with only last generation jets for defense and the need to be ever alert for some over the pole incursions of updated nuclear threats. That seems to be auspicious.

CLICK TO FOLLOW SANTA

.. This evening may be the last opportunity to follow the course of Santa on his rounds. Whoa! - way auspicious!
.. The precise identification of Santa may be sketchy with the poorly maintained last generation radars. He may get shot down if our obsolete jets can catch him. Most definitely auspicious.
.. It looks like today and tomorrow we will climb to temperatures approaching those at the North Pole. We're glad for the warm up and that certainly is auspicious.

LOW AND SLOW

.. Time to put the standing rib roast in the halogen convection oven. it will swelter most of the day. It will be so much better than a conventional oven.
..  Probably need to have some cherry pie for breakfast. That is about as inauspicious as it gets.

--------

WALLPAPER:  CHERRY PIE AND WHIPPED CREAM

The Big Swing

JET STREAM SLIPPED

Hebgen Ice Gets Thicker

sledhead wind chill

DIPPITY DO FOR THE JET STREAM

-------

.. Today started out gentle enough then, we rolled out of bed. The roof snow slid with an angry roar and car alarms served as a wake up call for the neighborhood.
.. We checked the email and morning news and discovered that the jet stream had wiggled itself quite a few degrees to the west. The thermometer outside the window was lower than anticipated and we checked with our friends at NOAA.
.. Did it again! Lowest in the nation. COLD DAMN !! We can't wait to get to the Post Office and the grocery store to check the range of local variation. Our number was -33°F.

OFFICIAL

.. There will be a day's worth of lolling about and slow moving neighbors. The visitors who came for their annual snow machine rental will have stories to tell.
.. There have already been some reports of frost bite on cheeks, noses, ears, and lips. So far no one has tried to lick the flag pole at the senior center.

.. Riding a sled at speed produces wind chill even in the still air that we have in these cold spells. The typical visitor seldom exceeds 30mph on the trail. At that speed the wind chill is - 53°F. Flesh will freeze in less than five minutes in those conditions. Any bits exposed around the helmet, scarf, balaclava, or gloves will get a blast. It happens with surprising regularity. At current temperatures the results are even worse. (Like; around - 60°F.)

SAVE THIS

WIND CHILL CHART

.. Finally, to dispel rumors that all the electrical plugs hanging out of the grill of local vehicles indicate chargers for electric cars; they are for a bit of warmth to protect fluids in the vehicles.
.. Some visitors from the lowlands have the plugs as well. Some even arrive for a visit and leave the vehicle plugged in for three or four days or even more. This behavior allows the oil on the cylinder walls and in the head to drain down. Dry starts scour parts. Oh well.
.. Time to get back in bed and see if the day starts better the next time we arise. Perhaps right after breakfast.

-------

WALLPAPER:  OMELETTE, 'TATER LOGS, SAUSAGE

HO, Ho, ho . . .

SHORT TOO SOON

Longer Starts Tomorrow

the midges are out

WALLPAPER:   HERE'S TO A MERRY

-------

.. As soon as it got above zero and the path to the fish truck was cleared the bravest youngest neighbors were out and, in it.
.. So, it snowed. So what! There was snow and shine and it was bright. The midges came out to play and got gobbled for their efforts.

DOWN FOR THE SALT

.. It seems a bit gray today but the trucks are already gone. The wind is sluggish and intermittent, the sun can be bright, the visitors are home under the tree and all is right with the world: - mostly, up here.
.. There was enough snow to drive the sheep down to the road for some salt licking.

DOUBLE MIDGE

.. There was enough snow to give us hope for the Spring runoff. There was enough snow to make the visitors to Yellowstone National Park believe it's winter.
.. And there's not enough snow to keep us from fishing. Certainly not enough to discourage testing the first of this Winter's rejected flies.
.. Foot traffic has already trampled some nice paths in the section of the Madison River Between The Lakes. Happily the berms along the road section right below the dam are tall and wide.

MADISON MAULER

.. Parking right on the curve is discouraged by both common sense and, the State Patrol and, the Sheriff's Deputies.
.. Until the trout figure out that all that floats is not midges there is a fine catching fest going on.
.. Along with this year's newest creations the neighbors are tying on some old neighborhood favorites.
.. The first reports in the bitter cold of the evening, {{pub time starts earlier on these short days,}} are positive for fish of the non-selective variety.

Sz. 20 SKITTERING MIDGE

.. Nothing giant or monstrous on the cell phone images but, the fish are, in guide parlance, "good fish."
.. With the lack of observed winter visitors for our fishing over the last few years - AND, with ownership changes in a couple of feather merchants, there is less opportunity for aisle hopping among the dusty caverns where feathers and musty smells hang out.

SHOP VAC

.. This only bothers the few that do show up. They are limited, right now to just one feather merchant that is dependably open. Some feather merchants can't stand the cold and close for the winter and hang out in warmer and more tropical climes. Some just pack it in, layoff the staff and sit at home counting shekels and sipping toddies.
.. Some folks do need a break from catching. Some need a break from marketing and merchandising. Some will even reluctantly take a break from counting money.
.. Now it's even warm enough for us to gather up the implements of destruction: W.D. 40, Vaseline, wool jock strap, thermos, flask, cold burritos, and, - most certainly the fishing and catching stuff.
.. No trout for breakfast. Maybe some of yesterday's cranberry turnovers.

-------

WALLPAPER:  CRANBERRY AND NEUFCHÂTEL  TURNOVERS

Tie For Lowest

-36°F  BUTTE

-36°F  Jordan

-36°F west yellowstone

WALLPAPER:  WEST YELLOWSTONE TODAY

-------

.. Just like the good old days. The Jet Stream slipped a little and some cool air snuck, (sneaked,) in the back door.
.. It looks to be the same tonight too. Happily the breeze has also snuck out the back door and there's nary a cloud in the sky.
.. We haven't reached a record for today so it's nothing to smirk about.

It's Official

 .. Some of the neighborhood thermometers were as much a 8 or 9 degrees colder. After all the Weather Underground showed a -40°F at their weather station. Our village is lower than the official weather station and the cold air tends to settle here when there is no breeze.
.. Bragging rights will be shared at all the gossip nodes in town: the hardware store, the grocery store, the Post Office, and the ice skating rink.  The hockey nuts were out early as we drove by.
.. Breakfast will be brunch today.

-------

WALLPAPER:  MORE WAFFLES

Deep And Dry

OVER THREE FEET

Drifts to Six Feet

wind and avalanches

NPS PHOTO:    EVEN MAMMOTH

-------

.. Our little village is digging out from a couple of days of poorly anticipated heavy snow fall.
.. We've discovered why our local weather forecasters are so often wrong: "They have no windows in their offices."
.. The temperature forecast lows for the next few days are in the minus teens and twenties. Save the snow!
.. We are about 20% ahead of our recent historic snow depth years and about 10% over our recent historic snow water years. Quite a change from recent years. Perhaps it will continue. The forgiving Jet Stream is keeping the truly bitter cold just a bit North and East of us.
.. The west side of the divide is warmer and getting blizzards as the storms pile up around Driggs and most of Fremont County in Idaho.
.. It's way too early to get too optimistic but, if this continues it will be reminiscent of the good water years of the not so recent past and the great fishing that the churned up and renewed streams will provide.

SO FAR THIS WEEK

SNOTEL DAILIES

OUR WATER WEEK

OUR WATER YEAR

.. Come early March, 2017, we'll peek again and see what the Spring run off may bring. So far though, it's not looking too shabby.

-----

dayGLO rubber legs bugger

.. The neighbors have abandoned shoveling until our snow depth reaches five feet, (tomorrow or the next day.)
.. They have already produced what many an inebriated soul has pronounced as the winning fly for the Winter, (we'll wait for the sober evaluation.)
.. They call it the "dayGLO rubber legs bugger."

-------

WALLPAPER:  HAM 'n' EGGS WITH RED EYE GRAVY