Two years ago (see last three photos in July 1, 2009 blog), water was roaring where we're standing in these pictures. Today, the water flowing down the Boulder River has dropped enough that the river's gone underground, as seen in first photo above. The water explodes out of the limestone several hundred feet north.
Still plenty of rushing water in the Boulder River. Wow, what a bird - a golden eagle (stuffed) in the Main Boulder Ranger Station (now a museum).
Signboard and parlor for the Main Boulder Ranger Station, built by Ranger Harry S. Kaufman in 1904.
The was a combo exploring/fishing/hiking/sightseeing day! Might've bit off more than we could chew, but we did all right - we just didn't concentrate on any one thing. We had a long day, but still got home in time to make dinner. Smartie was a mess, tho, after driving about 125 miles, much of it on dusty, bumpy dirt/gravel roads. We tried fishing in a forest service C/G at the end of West Boulder River, but had no luck, so we drove on to the Natural Bridge area where we ate lunch and walked one of the trails. After that, we continued on to the historic Ranger Station, which is open on wkends in summer - first time we've been able to get in, much less get a guided tour from a man named Carl who helped restore the "cabin." This station is perhaps the oldest facility in the Forest Service System and has been painstakingly restored to represent its original character. Listen to this: As a prerequisite to being a Guard Ranger in 1903, Harry Kaufman had to provide two horses, riding and pack outfits, camp equipment and his services 24-hours a day, all for $60.00/month, and that would be in fine summer weather and in brutal winter conditions! Harry built the cabin, married and together they raised two children here. Fascinating history. Read more about it:
www.fs.fed.us/r1/gallatin - Special Places.
While there, we mentioned finding a good fishing spot - Carl suggested we try a spot on the Main Boulder River across the road from their drive and "down aways" (more rocky roads!), so we did. Now comes the sad part about the one that got away.... It was a beauty (rainbow trout) and well-hooked, but it swam under the limestone which cut the line before we could bring it in. Boo-hoo... we didn't even get a picture. We plan to return next wk, and this time I hope to hook it AND then eat it!!
The interior photo of that ranger station makes it look like someone lived the simple life. Nice.
ReplyDeleteWell, simple... maybe, but these were brave and very hard-working folk. Think of all the wood they had to chop to keep warm in the very long and snowy winters. That may be simple, but - whew! - hard work!
ReplyDelete(I understand what you mean, tho, about the "simple life.")